Black Food Sovereignty Roundtable 2021

Date: May 1, 2021
Location: Toronto
Hosts: The Afri-Can FoodBasket, in partnership with the Network for the Advancement of Black Communities
Focus: Advancing Black Food Sovereignty through community-led dialogue

1. Introduction

On May 1, 2021, the Black Food Sovereignty Roundtable convened in Toronto to explore systemic inequities in food systems and to amplify Black voices in shaping equitable, culturally grounded approaches to food access, production, and policy.

Hosted by The Afri-Can FoodBasket, in partnership with the Network for the Advancement of Black Communities, the roundtable emphasized community-led dialogue over traditional presentations, fostering open discussion, knowledge sharing, and collaborative problem-solving.

2. Objectives

The roundtable aimed to:

Center Black perspectives in food systems discussions
Identify systemic barriers to access for culturally appropriate and healthy food
Highlight community-led solutions and innovations
Foster cross-sector collaboration
Contribute to ongoing conversations on policy and structural change

3. Participants and Speakers

The roundtable featured 14 speakers and contributors, including moderators, keynote speakers, presenters, and cultural performers. Participants represented farmers, chefs, community organizers, activists, researchers, and policy advocates.

Moderation & Opening Remarks

Itah Sadu – Moderator and storyteller
Nene Kwasi Kafele – Libation and community advocate
Nicole Austin – Statement of Solidarity and Land Acknowledgment
Anan Lololi – Coordinator and framing of the day
Anthony Morgan – City of Toronto CABR Unit
amanuel melles – Executive Director, Network for the Advancement of Black Communities

Keynote Panel Speakers

Dawn Morrison – Indigenous food sovereignty perspectives
Sacajawea “Saki” Hall – African American food sovereignty perspectives
Kali Akuno – African American food sovereignty perspectives

Sessions, Performance & Presentations

Kobèna Aquaa-Harrison – Cultural music performance
Bashir Munye – Presentation on Black Food Sovereignty in Toronto
Sheldomar Elliott – Closing remarks

These contributors enriched the roundtable through facilitation, cultural performance, keynote insights, and analytical presentations, combining lived experience and subject matter expertise.

4. Structure and Format

The roundtable followed a facilitated discussion model, organized around key thematic areas rather than formal lectures.

Format included:

Opening framing on Black Food Sovereignty
Moderated group discussions
Storytelling and knowledge sharing
Collective synthesis of insights and recommendations

This approach enabled inclusive participation and collaborative knowledge building, reflecting the principle that community voices should drive the conversation.

5. Key Discussion Themes

5.1 Food Access and Inequality

Participants highlighted disparities in access to healthy, affordable, and culturally relevant food. Systemic racism, economic inequality, and urban food deserts were discussed as persistent barriers.

5.2 Land, Ownership, and Control

Discussions emphasized historical and ongoing exclusion of Black communities from land ownership. Reclaiming land was identified as a critical step for strengthening food sovereignty.

5.3 Cultural Foodways and Identity

Food was recognized as central to identity and culture. The roundtable explored ways to preserve African and Caribbean culinary traditions and support intergenerational knowledge transfer.

5.4 Policy and Systems Change

Participants discussed gaps in municipal and national food policies, advocating for increased Black representation in decision-making and structural reforms to address inequities.

5.5 Community-Led Solutions

Grassroots initiatives were highlighted as practical solutions, including:

Urban agriculture and community gardens
Cooperative food models
Mutual aid networks
Youth-focused educational programs

6. Key Insights

Food sovereignty goes beyond access to include control, autonomy, and cultural relevance
Black communities already possess knowledge and leadership needed to build equitable food systems
Structural inequities require policy-level interventions and systemic change
Community-driven approaches are essential for long-term resilience and sustainability

7. Conclusion

The Black Food Sovereignty Roundtable, hosted by The Afri-Can FoodBasket and the Network for the Advancement of Black Communities, highlighted the importance of centering Black leadership in shaping Toronto’s food systems. By fostering cross-sector dialogue and valuing lived experience alongside professional expertise, the event contributed to a growing movement for equity, culture, and self-determination in food systems. The outcomes underscore the need for continued investment in community-led initiatives, policy reform, and collaborative action, ensuring a more just and inclusive food future.

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