Last Wednesday, we partnered with Amplify GR to host the Community Forest Conversation.

Moderated by Latesha Lipscomb (Amplify GR) and featuring Jasmine Brown (PhD student at MSU) and Tiawanna Ezell (Urban League of West Michigan), this conversation focused on the historical relationships between African Americans, forests, and green spaces. Our speakers discussed what has harmed those relationships (redlining, green gentrification, and more) and shared ways they each create space and belonging for themselves and others in outdoor spaces.

Photography: Tiffany Fant, Mo’photography LLC

Special thanks to our moderator and panelists for this enriching conversation, Amplify GR for sponsoring through Amp the Good grant funding, Grand Rapids Center for Community Transformation, and The 1530 for catering!

Watch the talk: