The 16th National Black Land Loss Summit will be held at Hilton Garden Inn in Roanoke Rapids beginning at 1 p.m. on November 8 and 9.

The two half-day events will have information and presentations designed to educate farmers, landowners and supporters of the many issues still confronting the black farmers across the country.  

One of the two main features will the documentary premiere of I’m Just a Layman in Pursuit of Justice: The Story of 15 Davids versus Goliath.  

Between 1997 and 1999, the cases of 15 African American farmers were settled administratively with the USDA and DOJ setting the stage for Pigford I.  

The documentary explores the struggle, pain, suffering, and resilience of nine of those farmers and families who battled insurmountable odds to prevail as well as the injustices which continue even to this very day. 

The film reveals past and present challenges of farming while black in America.   

The film is by Waymon Hinson, a retired gatherer of stories who currently lives in Denison, Texas; and Shaun Hill, a photographer based in New York City.   

The second is a Plenary with Nathan Rosenberg, a visiting scholar at the Harvard Food Law and Policy Clinic, and Bryce Wilson Stucki, a writer residing in Washington, DC.  

They will present their recent research entiled How USDA distorted data to conceal decades of discrimination against black farmers.  

Other topics include the need for wills and trusts; legal, political, legislative issues still impacting black farmers; creative farming and urban gardening.

Presenters are Lawrence Lucus, president emeritus of UDSAs Employees Union; Annette Picciano, director of the Washington, DC, Rural Coalition; and attorney Omari Wilson, of the Land Loss Prevention Project based in Durham and many others.

For additional information contact BFAA at 252-826-3017 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.