Oral History Archive

Interviews

as part of Free the Land! Free the People!

a study of the abolitionist pod

Prosperity Market

Interview with Carmen Dianne and Kara Still

April 2024 | Compton, CA

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Avery Clark (AC): What year was this organization founded?

Carmen Dianne [CD]: We founded Prosperity Market in 2020 

Kara Still [KS]: During the pandemic, and everybody being at home, and all the things that were happening, it was an evolution of conversation that turned into actions that we felt compelled to take.

ali reza [ar]: Who are the founders?

CD: I'm Carmen Dianne, co-founder of Prosperity Market. 

Kara Still [KS]: And, I'm Kara Still the other co-founder of Prosperity Market. 

AC: Describe how you both met, and what you each did before the founding of the organization.

CD: Before Prosperity Market, I was a makeup artist and Kara was a fashion designer. 

KS: We met because we actually are both from the East Coast, both from Maryland, and we knew mutual people, so we had a little bit of a connection there, separately ended up in L.A., and then because Carmen does makeup, and I do fashion design we worked on some indie films together. We ended up hiking, hanging out, and then now we are co-founders of Prosperity Market. 

ar: What inspired the founders to create this space?

CD: I always find it kind of hard to answer the question, like, "What inspired Prosperity Market?" Because, it did not come from a place of inspiration at all. It really came from, in the midst of the pandemic, at the height of the social unrest and we felt burdened. We really felt like we're witnessing and experiencing this issue that's just now being highlighted, because it's not like it's anything new. But, what can we do about it? Because, we know there's a solution. And that's kind of what got our wheels turning. How can we make it better? 

KS: I think having everybody sitting down at the same time, collectively, had most of us in a space of evaluating and reevaluating priorities. What's important? Being able to pay attention to things beyond your immediate sphere and circle. Everything that happened during 2020 felt different. It hit home harder. We looked around, and it got to a point where all the businesses were closing and 40% of all Black-owned businesses were closing - 40%! - and the issues of food access and food security being heightened, it got to a point where we were talking about what could be done and we looked at each other and said, "I guess we are the ones to do something about it." At least in the way that we were compelled. There's already so many people in the space doing the work, and it just became our turn to join that and to figure out what it looked like for us to bridge the gap - in those ways. 

CD: It really started with us looking at all the Black-owned businesses that were closing, and also understanding that a dollar stays in the Black community for just 6 hours. And this was not a new statistic. This is pre-pandemic. That's been the [statistic] that's been circulating. And there is such a large disconnect there, because as you read about, the Black community has a trillions of dollars in spending power, and it felt like we're seeing all of this support being pledged to Black businesses, which is great and we love to see it. But, how sustainable is it if a dollar stays in the community for 6 hours? So for us, we felt like the solution is: We need more Black-owned businesses, and more essential Black-owned businesses, because this is in the middle of the pandemic. Nothing is open but the grocery store, and we don't own any national or regional Black-owned grocery stores or chains. So, that's kind of where the thought started, and it's one of those things where once you dig a little bit, you uncover everything. And, it became so much bigger than that. This is a solution to support Black-owned farmers. This is a solution to create food access and build community. 

AC: Under what conditions and circumstances was this organization founded? 

KS: This conversation really started between us, after George Floyd's murder. That was the biggest catalyst to us taking action, because everyone was talking about it, what they thought, what they felt, how they were impacted, personal conversations. As a result of that, people were like, "Oh, let's support Black-owned businesses. Let's give our push to Black entrepreneurs, and the community and all of these things." But, we know that that conversation is similar, when bad things happen, there is always a temporary push to see how people can support it and right their wrongs. We really looked and said, well, once that's over, once it's no longer a headline. What does sustained support look like for our community? What does it look like once nobody cares if there's fresh food in the neighborhood, if that business owner is able to keep their doors open. That is really what sparked us to say, "Great, let's use the momentum that's available now from this tragedy, and see what we can create to keep going beyond that, once the wave is done." 

ar: Describe the community in which this organization was founded. 

CD: Our community embodies Black-owned businesses, Black farmers. We're for everybody. So our vendors are Black farmers, entrepreneurs, chefs, and food producers. But we go all over L.A. We work heavily in South L.A. We're here in Compton today, but we've gone everywhere from Compton to Malibu, and everywhere in between. We want to bring great products from all of our vendors everywhere. 

KS: I think that's important, because everybody deserves the same access to amazing quality products. That was actually something from the very beginning, one of the conversations we had. You can look at different neighborhoods, and look at the different quality of food depending on the grocery store, not just the quality of the food and the produce, but even the marketing and the branding. Why do certain neighborhoods have really pretty things, and other neighborhoods don't? Why do certain neighborhoods have an abundance of fresh produce, and food, and other neighborhoods get the leftovers? So, we wanted to make sure that in creating a prosperous market, we show up the same no matter where we are. Not only does that benefit the communities that are familiar with it or a little bit more affluent, we bring in products, and entrepreneurs and businesses that they may not have the diversity to be familiar with or have access to. Then in other communities we provide a level of product that they may not have. So, that was important. And I also think our creative backgrounds lend to that because the beautification of something is also important to us, and people respond to that. People are going to respond to something that they find appealing and that matters. And no matter where you live, that shouldn't be skimped upon. You shouldn't have to settle for less simply because of your surroundings. 

CD: It was always important for us from the beginning to do both, like make sure we're bringing all of this great quality, healthy, affordable products into communities that might not have it, but also it is really important to expose our vendors and our farmers, and our businesses to communities that aren't familiar with them. Being able to take our farmers into Malibu so that they can sell their produce is important to us. We see it from both sides.

AC: Who or what spaces in the past have done similar work in the past and have inspired this organization?

KS: We've been inspired by a lot of individuals, organizations and spaces. I think coming into creating and building Prosperity Market from a background that was in no way shaped by food, gave us an advantage to come into it with fresh eyes. But also, we were open and willing to learn from all of the people who have been in the spaces before us. So we've had some great mentors, and people who have pointed us in the right direction along the way.

One of the people that we scheduled early conversations, kind of in the blind before he even knew who we were, was Jamiah Hargins of Crop Swop, and so in research we stumbled across his name, his business, all of the work that he's been doing. At the time he had a Calendly link, and so as strangers, we scheduled ourselves an introduction conversation on his Calendly. I think the first time we talked to him was like 7 a.m., because that was the time he had available and he was so great and generous with his time and his ear. [He] has since become somebody who we trust, and we look to and have been a collaborator, a partner, and just people like that have been so willing and generous to hear us out, believe in our mission, and see what they can do to support our growth. 

CD: Also, one of the first people - like when we first decided, "Okay, we're going to do a farmers market featuring Black farmers," you Google, "Black farmers in California, Black farmers markets." And, not much came up. One of the first people we found was Dr. Gail Myers from Farms to Grow in the Bay. Same thing as with Jamiah. We sent her an email - cold email - and she responded and was willing to have conversations with us, and really support and advise us throughout our journey and our process, and that's been instrumental in developing this. Dr. Myers checks in on us to see how we're doing. We give her updates. She has helped us to figure out how to get grant funding, pointed us in the direction of farmers - just given us so much information based on her years of study and knowledge. And, it's people like that we can't thank enough. I mean, we didn't grow anything. One of the first places we came to learn about gardening was Compton Community Garden, because they do their semi annual free gardening classes for spring and for fall. We were sitting here in their ten week class like, okay, so snails, beer, yes, that kills them. Met Dr. Ross, met some of the other people that have kept this garden going. I know I'd never pick anything straight from the dirt to say, I can eat this, this can nourish my body in that way. So, partners like SJLI, they really have been instrumental in our processes.

ar: Describe the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on your work?

CD: COVID was the catalyst for our work. If it were not those conditions, if we weren't sitting at home, with no work and nothing to do, just looking at each other, watching Netflix, or whatever it is that y'all did during COVID - if it wasn't for those conditions, I don't think we would have had the space to to think about it, to get the ideas and to believe that we could execute it. 

KS: Yeah, There was just no other way. There was just no other way. 

CD: It's probably a different COVID answer than a lot of people gave. For us, it birthed something beautiful.

AC: Describe the impacts of the Uprising of 2020 on your work?

CD: The Uprisings of 2020 also were a big catalyst into the start of our work. I think it was the - I want to say perfect marriage, but that doesn't feel like the right word to say. But, it was the perfect conditions to spark the outrage that led to inspiration that led to change. 

KS: I know during that time, a lot of people wanted to discuss the Uprisings, and what was happening and find ways - everyone was looking for their own way to talk about it, to rationalize it, to cope, to deal, to get questions answered that no one really had the answer to. Some of the conversations that we had, I think, were a little bit of a change compared to the other conversations that people were having. So, when everybody's kind of looking to express what happened, and how they feel, which is very important. Carmen and I spoke about how this became an outlet for the negative emotion. It actually became a space of - instead of being sad, frustrated, angry and confused - feeling like we could actually do something to make a difference. Because, it was a time when it was almost like, there's nothing we can do. There's nothing we can do, we're sitting at home and things are just happening to us. In a lot of ways it allowed us to take control of the narrative, and create a different conversation. 

CD: I remember during that time, it was kind of like I put the emotion - we've moved past the emotions, but now trying to think back to what it really felt like. During COVID - I took the pandemic very lightly. I watched Netflix on my couch all the time. It was a break from work. But it got hard for me after George Floyd's murder, because - that was the tipping point for me of what made COVID difficult. During that time, I was actually in a make-up program. I had just got accepted into a make-up mentorship program. This was a pretty big deal for me, because right before the pandemic, I was on track to join the union and I had seven days left to join the union. And that's a long process, so that was a big deal for me. Of course, with COVID, there was no work. So, all my jobs were canceled. This mentorship program was something that I had to look forward to, just to keep make-up fresh in my mind. Like, “When we get back to work,” it was that type of thing - “When you get back to work.” But, I found out that I got accepted into this program the day after George Floyd was murdered, and I didn't care about make-up, the program. It was like that instantly I stopped caring about make-up and I went through the mentorship,and it was just words. She's like, “Yada, yada, yada, yada…make-up, lipstick, lashes.” And I'm just like, “We need grocery stores,” in my head. “We need Black-owned grocery stores.” So that's kind of the  trajectory that it was for me. Once we started working on Prosperity Market, I felt so much better. I felt so much lighter. I could laugh again. I could enjoy life again. It really - this was powerful for me. 

KS: If I'm reflecting on what that experience was like for me at the time. Throughout the process, actually, Carmen and I were just having a lot of regular conversations, and text messages about just everything that was going on before things got so heavy, which just continued into the conversation. Once, when George Floyd was murdered, I was having conversations with people in my life from a leadership program I was in, just because I was like, "Oh, let me do something different." That program got put on pause, because everything did. So, some of the friends that I had connected with through that, we were still talking, connecting with some family members who I didn't talk to as much because we were all so busy. One of the things that has always been important to me is leaving people or a situation better than when I entered it, and having people feel seen, valued, and heard. Like that's just a personal core tenet of who I am and what I make important with the interactions that I have. So, when we started the conversation about Prosperity Market, I had been creating space for people to just express what they were dealing with and what they were going through. I don't know that I was allowing myself to express how I was being impacted, and giving other people that space. So, when we started having conversations about the difference we could make in creating what didn't even have a name yet at the time, it really gave voice to something in me that was compelled to do something greater and bigger than me. And, that's why it just felt right. There was almost no decision. The day we decided to do it we were coming back from a hike, and having a conversation and just kind of looked at each other and was like, "So I guess we're just going to do this." Carmen was like, "Well, I was going to just like, ask and propose it to you and see how..." But, we just looked at each other and we knew this was what was next for us, not knowing anything about how much it would take or what it would look like. This was our assignment. 

ar: Describe notable program shifts in your work since 2020 that have been influenced by both the Uprisings and Covid-19. 

CD: Before we even started, we were planning our first market, and it was going to be in February of 2021. We spoke with an advisor, and she just posed this question to us, "What are you going to do about COVID?" And I was like - this was still in 2020, we had the conversation and I was like, "COVID? I mean, it'll be - we'll be out of COVID by then." But what she did was get us to start thinking about what we are going to do about COVID? So, we started our virtual market, our online marketplace, and that was a way that people can shop online. We had contactless pickup, and we wanted everyone to be able to experience it in a way that they felt comfortable. So, that really shifted the trajectory. Now our virtual market is a big part of everything that we do. 

CD: And it instantly, shifted what our vision looked like, because from the inception, actually, we didn't even know we were going to do pop ups at first, the vision was to create a mobile farmers market, a vehicle that would allow us to touch all the communities, and support the farmers, the vendors, the food entrepreneurs. But - surprise, surprise - to women, from design, and fashion, make-up don't have a cash cow somewhere just waiting to start a new food business. Nobody was lining up to fund us. So, we took a look at - what would it look like to build relationships and community while we figured out how to stay true to our vision. So it was like, "Okay pop-ups. Okay, now pop-ups and an online marketplace." So very quickly, it turned from creating a mobile farmers market into something that was much bigger than we even thought from the onset. That was okay, I guess, because we're still doing it. We just had no idea what form it would take. From the beginning, I think because we were just clear about the mission and the difference we wanted to make, being open to different considerations that we hadn't thought, we were much more willing to just figure it out, rather than to say, "No, we have to do it this way," because it was all new. 

CD: Yeah, we were very clear on our mission, our goals and our impact. So, anything else that comes our way, like we can flow with that, because we know we have our North Star. 

KS: [We are] committed to the goal and flexible in the process. 

AC: Describe any challenges you had faced with the organization?

CD: Challenges. 

KS: Oh, challenges.

CD: I just think about our very first market. How do I say this without saying too much? Our first market was a challenge - end of story. 

KS: Well, I'll start by saying that when we first started, we started by having - we said we were going to do monthly pop-up markets, and it was a weekend long event. So we would do a pop-up market on Saturday, and then in another location on Sunday do a complete food distribution or food giveaway. And, we had never done any of this before. So, setting up those two completely separate events- 

CD: Along with our virtual market- 

KS: Along with our virtual market- from the very beginning was very challenging. So we had the virtual market, our pop-up in-person market, and then a food give away. [That] was our entire weekend from the first day. And, it was a lot. 

CD: In planning for our very first market, we put all of this work and effort into planning, and literally the day before the market, we had a big shift. A big upset in what we had been told, in what we had been working towards. It literally made me sick. Then the next day, we had our market and  -it was a beautiful first market. It was great. Then the next day we had our produce giveaway which got shut down. The city shut us down because of reasons that only they know. But, we had to scramble and find another location on the fly. I mean, we've got the groceries-

KS: We've got volunteers, people helping. People are actually looking to get free food. 

CD: And we were told, “No, you can't give away your free food here.” So, we had to pivot quickly. 

KS: That was a challenging first weekend, first event. And, we learned very quickly that the intricacies of permitting, and planning and locations have a lot more than meets the eye when making sure that you have a space to do good work. We actually had a lot of support from other people just helping us with it. SJLI (Social Justice Learning Institution) was a supporter. Adrienne [Wilson] from Feed Our Soul was really great. Yet, they just helped guide us through the spaces of bumps that they had hit before. Honestly, that first weekend probably wouldn't have happened without their guidance, because when we hit those roadblocks, they were able to say, “Okay, try this.” “Who could you talk to?” “Did you talk to this person?” And, that was a new level of exhaustion. It was a new level of physical, and mental exhaustion. 

CD: I wish we could say it was a one and done, but nope. That exhaustion has continued. 

KS: For me, in the physical sense, nothing compared to that first one though. After that first hurdle of pulling all the pieces together, nothing compared to that. Because, we set out with such good intentions,

thinking that we were following the right steps, doing it the right way. So, to be told, “No,” or to be shut down when you think you're doing it the right way. 

CD: And, when you are. Because, things change that are not out of our control. 

KS: Didn't stop us though. Kept going, but we learned a lot very quickly. 

CD: Many more challenges. But the next one that comes up for me is being able to accept SNAP and EBT. You would think it would be a much more simple process, but it's not - it's very tedious. Our model is so different from what I think they're used to seeing. So that's brought challenges. How are we able to provide this service, offer this assistance, and still operate with the flexibility that we need to operate with to serve our community? 

CD: As a mobile model so that people anywhere can have access to food, you would think that it would be welcome, but infrastructure is not yet set up for that. So we've run into challenges of figuring out what it looks like to create multiple points for people to have food access and still have that SNAP and EBT certification. So it's something that is a work in progress, that we will absolutely make sure we get as soon as possible. 

CD: By the time you're watching this we will be accepting SNAP and EBT. 

KS: I think one other challenge was just the challenge of funding. The challenge of what it looks like to have the funding we need to have our vision come to life, to serve the community, and not having started with some big lump sum of money. So we have taught ourselves how to write grants. We've gotten pretty proficient at it. We have had conversations with sponsors and partners who have aligned missions and goals, who want to have an impact, but maybe aren't set up to do the work. We crowdfunded. One of the grants who won gave us this amazing crowdfunding education with Crowdfund Better and Fund Black Founders. They are two organizations who are passionate about teaching entrepreneurs how to crowdfund properly, and the significance and importance of it. That education was invaluable. Our audience supported us and enabled us to raise the money for our mobile trailer. That will be our actual farmers market on wheels. We learned so many things that weren't just useful for crowdfunding, but are useful for just connecting with all of the people who support our business and our work. Even before that, our entire first year was funded by our supporters, and we couldn't have gotten through that without them. 

CD: That was at a time where we couldn't go into the bank and get a loan. We couldn't get a line of credit, we couldn't finance it ourselves. So, finding all these alternative ways to fundraise, and to support the work that we're doing was challenging, rewarding, all those things. 

KS: Along the way - because knowing it in theory is one thing, but putting it all into practice is something different. So funding, funding, funding, yes, it's all important, but creating a plan and a strategy for how those funds are going to be used so that we could maximize the impact so that we could be able to see the tangible and intangible returns to put back into the business. Because you can have, you can have all of the money in the world, but if it just flows right through and there's no plan, you're going to need it just as quickly. So, we really had to learn how to maximize and prioritize any of the funds that we got in while we were building our model and our work, and making these connections. 

CD: That mirrors - what you just said about how the funding will just flow right through - mirrors, on our scale, the larger scale, what we're trying to solve for with the funding in the Black community. Circulating the dollars through our community. 

KS: Actually, something that we did not know would come from this, that has been a beautiful challenge. What does it look like for us to provide support to the farmers and businesses that we work with? So we got to see, not just from our own experience but from the experiences of all the businesses that we work with, similar gaps in funding, resources, education and knowledge, even community spaces. Because, when you are creating a big project, whether it's an entrepreneur project or creative, or whatever it is, oftentimes you kind of unintentionally can silo yourself and feel like, “Oh, now I have to deal with these things all alone.” So, Prosperity Market became a place for all of our vendors to connect with each other, share resources, collaborate on projects, say, “Oh, maybe somebody else is going through something similar.” So, they've been able to support each other. And as we've learned, we've shared our knowledge and our information as well. We’ve set up workshops to support the vendors. We do everything that we can to make sure that there's no gatekeeping here, because all of our success is interdependent on one another. We had no idea that what we were building would also have a direct impact in a lot of additional ways other than just being a platform for creating customers and sales.

ar: Can you share more on any systemic and infrastructure hurdles as they relate to food justice movements?

KS: One of the things that Carmen and I actually talked a lot about, when we found out, was the drastic decline in Black farmers in the United States, over the last century. From over a million, to only tens of thousands. In the state of California, actually nationwide, Black farmers make up less than 1% of all farmers. 

CD: 1.3%. 

KS: So nationwide, Black farmers make up 1.3% of all farmers. That was staggering for us. It was a bit of a,  “Why?” And there's a lot of things that go into that -  redlining in terms of creating sectioned off communities for intentional access for some and not for others. 

CD: Land theft, foreclosure -  if you want to talk about the USDA lawsuit by all means. I don't have the facts at the top of [my] mind anymore. The stats. 

KS: Well, the short story is Black farmers filed a lawsuit against the USDA, because there was funding that was supposed to happen to say, “Hey, we've now acknowledged that we took land and funds from you all.” 

CD: Well, even before that, so  they filed the lawsuit, which was actually the largest civil rights settlement ever, in history. They filed the lawsuit, because farmers, their land was being stolen, and they weren't being given the loans that other farmers were getting. Or when they did get loans, it was for much less than what they needed, and they were getting it late. So they're starting their crops late, their harvest is late. And all of that led to foreclosure, because now you can't pay your mortgage, you can't pay your bills. That's how they stole land. So, the Black farmers got together, and sued the USDA, and won, and it took them like ten years to even pay out all of the farmers. 

KS: And, all of the funding was never paid out. So that led to additional lawsuits, which was then, “Okay, okay, we're going to write our mistakes and give you this funding.” But, then that was halted because non-Black farmers were then upset about it. So, the funding that was supposed to come through as a result of a lawsuit that was won and then never fulfilled upon, was also paused. Even on a smaller level, because that's like what's happening nationally and that's big and impactful. 

CD: But even on a smaller level, our farmers - it's hard for them to get into farmers markets. Certified farmers markets, or get into grocery retail, because of all of these certifications and checks and balances that are costly. To get certified organic is an expensive process and they're all growing organic. This is the most organic food that you're going to find. But just because it might not have the label, because they didn't pay all this money to say it's organic, is a barrier. 

KS: And then, the yearly cost attached with keeping that label. And for us, we had to redefine what farmer meant. You know, we weren't in this space. I think most people who are disconnected from our food sources, we have the vision of what's portrayed on television of what a farmer looks like. Most Black farmers do not have the capital, or the access to have acres and acres and acres of land. But, in several square feet you can grow enough to feed a neighborhood. And so for us, especially being in Los Angeles, there was a shift in mindset for what a farmer, and a grower looked like, and because this was born during the pandemic and COVID 19, we found that most of the farmers we connected with were already feeding their community, because of the supply chain and food shortages that were happening. They were doing it. But if you're not connected to it, you don't know that that's happening. So, part of what we assigned ourselves to do was to give them an outlet and a platform, because so many people had no idea that you could get what you need to nourish yourself down the street… how close it was. And a lot of small farmers, community growers, backyard growers,even community gardens like the one that we're sitting in right now, often don't know what to do with the excess, because they don't have a place to put it. There's so many people who would willingly support those growers and those farmers if they had a place to be able to go to get it. If you're not familiar or live near a farmer's market, and if you don't have the acreage and the connections to be able to say, “Oh, I'm going to travel to this farmer's market, in this community,” then what do you do? So, we wanted to bridge that gap and be that space and be that platform for the farmers and  the food businesses who are already doing the work, already passionate, already feeding their communities, and needed an outlet to be able to expand.

AC: Describe your collaboration with the Crenshaw Dairy Mart abolitionist pod project?

CD: Our collaboration with Crenshaw Dairy Mart was really fun. You know what’s funny? This just reminded me, when we were trying to find a location for our first produce giveaway, we reached out to Crenshaw Dairy Mart, and we weren't able to do it at that time, because it was also very last minute and hectic. 

KS: And, we had never met them before at the time. 

CD: Cold outreach. Actually, one of my takeaways from watching you all operate is, how much care you put into giving yourself the time that you need, not rushing things, saying no to things, setting boundaries, and really putting an importance on self care, and making sure that you actually have the capacity to do what you need to do. So I appreciate that. So thank you, Crenshaw Dairy Mart for sharing that with us. 

KS: That beautiful lesson in practice. I just want to say, when we did finally do something with Crenshaw Dairy Mart, even before the pod, even before the abolitionist pod, we did end up doing a produce giveaway there. And it was amazing. It was great. It was fun. The community responded well. We had so much support. I mean, we love the team. We love space. It was perfect timing, which led to other work that we did together as well. 

CD: First of all, the [abolitionist] pod is amazing. The concept, the construction of it, the execution of it, and the possibilities are limitless. So, it's just been beautiful to watch that develop and grow. Our small contribution to it was supporting -  I think it was a four week program that we did where we did food distributions in Pico Union. So, we helped supply some of the produce, and get the distribution together. 

KS: I was really excited to see - remember when we went to the [MOCA] museum showing it, of the [abolitionist] pod when it was set up? 

CD: Oh, yes!

KS: It was really great to see it live and in action. One of the really cool things that I remember, in just having everybody talk about the [abolitionist] pod, what it took to build, the impact that it had - a structure that took very precise engineering to build, artistic creativity to design and cover, the science of what it takes to grow in a small space, and that it could also be food and shelter, all in one. And then you can take it and set it up anywhere. It was amazing to see all of those pieces come together, from a team that we love so much, that does so much to combine art, creativity, and community, and just making a stand. I think sometimes when we see structures, whether they are functional, artistic and creative, or a combination of the two, you don't know what it takes to make it all happen. You don't know the work that's behind it. I think coming from a creative background, all of that, I see that as a representation that is a manifestation of all of the seen, and unseen work and effort and hours that goes into it. So, I appreciate it not just in its totality of what it provides at completion, but the process of what it took. 

ar: What vision do you hold for the future of your organization and food justice programs across Los Angeles?

CD: Vision for the future in food justice in L.A.? I am excited to see, right now, the collaboration between organizations. And, what I'm excited for in the future, with us and with other food justice organizations, is really working together to build an ecosystem,because that's what we need. We need a strong local food ecosystem that includes Black farmers, and small  farmers, and urban growers. I'm excited, because I know it's in the near future, so I'm excited to be a part of it. 

KS: When we wrote our mission, we made sure that we included community partnership as part of it, because we knew from the beginning this work was not something we even wanted to dare to try and do alone. So, I echo Carmen’s sentiments, what excites me about the future is the collaboration. On any team. Every area has its unique focus or unique strengths, and so I feel like we all have something to contribute, and what our vision looks like. There's more than enough people to be able to benefit from all facets of it. I'm also excited, nervous, all kinds of feelings just about the future plans that we have, and bringing our Prosperity Market vision to fruition looks like. We started from the beginning with a really lofty vision, and so having that unfold as we create it is exciting. People have often said to us, “I don't think that you're taking time to appreciate what you all are doing or contributing or building.” As we hit different milestones. And to a certain extent, it's because we take a moment to, “Oh my gosh, yes, that's a win,” and then we do the next thing. But also, I think we didn't set out like, “We are martyrs to make a difference.” It was [that] this is just the vision we were given. So when I think about the future, I lean on the things that people have shared with us in the way that we've impacted them. Although we may not look at our work in this way, people have said things like, “We are disruptors in the food space.” Some people have said that some of the things that we're creating are revolutionary, and it's going to change the space of what food access looks like, and the way people look at it. I'm humbled by hearing those things. So, I'll just lean on their vision, while we simply do the work that we are doing.

Gallery Open

Thursdays - Sundays

11:30 AM - 3:30 PM

On view September 21, 2024 through February 15, 2025

Free the Land! Free the People! a study of the abolitionist pod is organized as a survey and studio of the Crenshaw Dairy Mart artist collective’s ongoing research for the abolitionist pod, autonomously irrigated, solar-powered gardens within modular geodesic domes built with communities impacted by food insecurity, housing insecurity, and the prison industrial complex. The exhibition falls in conjunction with the artist collective’s year of programmed study and research, entitled Imagination Year, collating ongoing illustrations, archival documentation, architectural renderings, sketches, and drawings of the collective’s many configurations of the geodesic structure during its prototype phases as the year-long curriculum engages with a history of collectives and cooperatives at the interstices of food justice, land sovereignty, and the Black Liberation Movement.

The exhibition coincides with a concurrent resource and larger oral history archive indexing the networked Black farmers, gardeners, and Black-led organizations across Los Angeles county with whom Crenshaw Dairy Mart has collaborated with on the abolitionist pod, traversing contemporary movements towards alternative permacultures, which include localized, small-scale farming and micro-farming as models for community care, community safety, and economic autonomy within the larger contemporary abolitionist movement.

Free the Land! Free the People! a study of the abolitionist pod is among more than 60 exhibitions and programs presented as part of PST ART. Returning in September 2024 with its latest edition, PST ART: Art & Science Collide, this landmark regional event explores the intersections of art and science, both past and present. PST ART is presented by Getty. For more information about PST ART: Art & Science Collide, please visit pst.art