PEOPLE OF COLORANIMAL RIGHTS, ADVOCACY AND FOOD JUSTICE CONFERENCE

PROGRAM

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2016CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY - NORTHRIDGE

LITTLE THEATRE

SPONSORS

Thank you for joining us for the 2016 People of Color: Animal, Rights Advocacy and Food justice

Conference. We are so excited about this one-day conference, the first of its kind in Southern California.

This conference emerged from conversations we have had with other vegans of color who feel that there is a need for spaces to celebrate the achievements of vegans of color, connect with each other and share our knowledge, experiences and successes.

We also recognize the need for spaces of discourse on issues that affect communities of color, and also impact people of color involved in animal rights, vegan outreach and food justice. This year, we are covering an array of topics. We hope that you will feel energized and motivated to become involved in the issues presented at this conference, which affect both human and non-human beings.

All of our speakers do great work and are amazing leaders and motivators in their own right.

We wish to thank our sponsors for their tremendous support, and you, the attendees, for seeing such value in this event.

With warm regards,

Liz Ross and Linda Alvarez

WELCOME MESSAGE

We are thrilled that

the documentary film,

VEGAN NOIR: BLACK VEGANS IN LOS ANGELES

will premiere at the

conference.

Directed by Toni Bell, this is

a film with a message and

a point of view that has

never been brought to

light in any documentary

before.

The film is a project at

the University of Southern

California, Center for

Visual Anthropology

Department.

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9:00AM - 10:00AM REGISTRATION9:45AM - 10:00AM OPENING REMARKS

10:00AM - 11:00AM VEGAN GAINS: A VEGAN PERSPECTIVE ON HEALTH AND FITNESSDAVID CARTER, DOMINICK THOMPSON, TORRE WASHINGTON

11:10AM - 12:00PM THE FOUNDATION OF JUSTICE: VEGANISM AND THE ANIMAL RIGHTSMOVEMENT SARAH K. WOODCOCK

12:10PM - 1:00PM BREAKING DOWN PRIVILEGE: ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOODS INCOMMUNITIES OF COLOR AND LOW-INCOME AREAS LAUREN ORNELAS

1:00PM - 2:00PM LUNCH BREAK

2:00PM - 2:50PM COLONIZATION & CAPITALISM: THE COLLAPSE OF THE TRADITIONALMESOAMERICAN PLANT-BASED DIET CHEMA HERNANDEZ GIL

3:00PM - 3:30PM VIOLENCE, MIGRATION & CENTRAL AMERICAN WORKERS IN THE US FOOD SYSTEM LINDA ALVAREZ, PhD

3:40PM - 4:30PM DEVELOPING EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES FOR COMMUNITY-BASED VEGANACTIVISM BRENDA SANDERS

4:30PM - 4:50PM BREAK (SNACKS AVAILABLE IN HALLWAY)

4:50PM - 5:30PM VEGAN NOIR: BLACK VEGANS IN LOS ANGELESA DOCUMENTARY FILM BY TONI BELL, WITH Q&A

5:40PM - 6:30PM 10TH ELEMENT OF HIP-HOP: HEALTH, WELLNESS & JUSTICE ASHEL SEASUNZ ELDRIDGE

THE HOOD FOOD MOVEMENTEUGENE COOKE

6:40PM - 6:50PM LEADERSHIP AWARD$500 Award given to a vegan activist/leader. This year the award will be given to lauren Ornelas of Food Empowerment Project

6:50PM - 7:10PM KEYNOTE SPEAKER: DAVID CARTER

7:10PM - 7:30PM RAFFLE GIFT GIVEAWAYS AND CLOSING REMARKS

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

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9:00AM - 10:00AM REGISTRATION9:45AM - 10:00AM OPENING REMARKS

10:00AM - 11:00AM PANEL DISCUSSIONVEGAN GAINS: A VEGAN PERSPECTIVE ON HEALTH AND FITNESS

DESCRIPTION: On this panel, three prominent vegan athletes will engage in a discussion covering several topics including their vegan origin stories, philosophy on veganism, diets, fitness regimen, how to use social media for effective vegan outreach, veganism and social justice, and more. The audience will also have an opportunity to engage with panelists. Join us for fun and good conversation with vegan athletes David Carter, Torre Washington and Dominick Thompson.

11:10AM - 12:00PM THE FOUNDATION OF JUSTICE: VEGANISM AND THE ANIMAL RIGHTSMOVEMENT

DESCRIPTION: Sarah will talk about the foundation of justice and how veganism and the animal rights movement relate to it. What is the greatest threat to the success of the animal rights movement? With a passion for both animal rights and human rights, Sarah will speak to questions such as: How does the animal rights movement relate to other social justice movements? How can we incorporate human rights into our animal advocacy? And how can we incorporate anti-speciesism into our animal advocacy?Sarah K. Woodcock

12:10PM - 1:00PM BREAKING DOWN PRIVILEGE: ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOODS INCOMMUNITIES OF COLOR AND LOW-INCOME AREAS

DESCRIPTION: Do you want everyone to go vegan? In this empowering talk by lauren Ornelas, you will learn about some of the barriers that some communities face, and the misconceptions many advocates have about food access that must be addressed before we can begin to create a vegan world.lauren Ornelas

1:00PM - 2:00PM LUNCH BREAK

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

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2:00PM - 2:50PM COLONIZATION & CAPITALISM: THE COLLAPSE OF THE TRADITIONALMESOAMERICAN PLANT-BASED DIET

DESCRIPTION: Founded on corn, beans and chiles, Mesoamerican civilizations had a nearly exclusive plant-based diet for thousands of years. This began to change when European colonization arrived in the 16th century and accelerated with 20th-century capitalism. Drawing upon his own family’s experience, Chema will explore the ongoing process of collapse that the traditional Mesoamerican diet is experiencing, propose ways to reclaim it (regardless of your background) and draw parallels to other ways capitalism exploits animals, cultures and individuals. Chema Hernandez Gil

3:00PM - 3:30PM VIOLENCE, MIGRATION & CENTRAL AMERICAN WORKERS IN THE US FOOD SYSTEM

DESCRIPTION: Dr. Alvarez will focus on issues of violence, trauma and migration as they relate to Central American migrant workers in the U.S. slaughterhouse industry. In our attempt to understand the violence of this industry, the animal rights movement has often pit workers against the animals involved in this industry. However, within slaughterhouses, violence can become an inescapable reality for both humans and animals. In these exploitative labor contexts, the normalization of inequality, the continued poverty, and the literal violence, form a nexus of suffering among migrant labor. U.S. slaughterhouses remain an area of hidden violence. As migrant workers occupy more and more of this workforce it is important to understand the ways in which structural violence is intertwined in the migration and labor experiences of these workers.Linda Alvarez, PhD

3:40PM - 4:30PM DEVELOPING EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES FOR COMMUNITY-BASED VEGANACTIVISM

DESCRIPTION: In this talk, Brenda explores the many benefits of engaging in community-based vegan activism. From coordinating vegan education and outreach programs, to planning festivals and social events, Brenda will illustrate the effectiveness of organizing at the community level. Brenda will also highlight some of the pitfalls involved in community-based activism using examples from her work in Baltimore.Brenda Sanders

4:30PM - 4:50PM BREAK (SNACKS AVAILABLE IN HALLWAY)

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

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4:50PM - 5:30PM VEGAN NOIR: BLACK VEGANS IN LOS ANGELESA DOCUMENTARY FILM BY TONI BELL, WITH Q&A

DESCRIPTION: This 30-minute documentary film focuses on different perspectives on veganism of nine Black vegans who live in Southern California. This film doesn’t just explore vegan origin stories. It is a film with a message and a point of view that has never been exposed in any documentary film. The film was part a University of Southern California, Center for Visual Anthropology Department project. Vegan Noir will also premier at independent film events, beginning Winter of 2016.Producer and Director: Toni Bell

5:40PM - 6:30PM 10TH ELEMENT OF HIP-HOP: HEALTH, WELLNESS & JUSTICE

DESCRIPTION: AshEl will explore an artist’s journey to plant-based health and wellness through a fusion of Hip-Hip and social justice. AshEl will speak about several of his projects, including Hip-Hop is Green and the 10th Element of Hip Hop: First Plant Based Hip-Hop Tour in History, SOS Juice, Urban Farmacy, Alliance for Climate Education, and Green For All: Food, Climate, Health Connections. AshEl will also talk about his perspective on Spirituality, Health and Food Justice.AshEl Seasunz Eldridge

THE HOOD FOOD MOVEMENT

DESCRIPTION: Eugene will tell the story of how a garden in Pomona propelled a young Black man around the world. Do you think Reparations will ever happen? Who would be qualified to receive some land? How does the local food movement delegate land and resources? Let’s explore the reasons we don’t grow our food. Food Sovereignty is a cultural shift being lead by land-based people all over the globe. Food has always been a social justice issue. How do you fit into the food system?Eugene Cooke

6:40PM - 6:50PM LEADERSHIP AWARD$500 Award, from ticket contributions, given to a vegan activist/leader. This year the award will be given to lauren Ornelas of Food Empowerment Project.

6:50PM - 7:10PM KEYNOTE SPEAKER: DAVID CARTERDavid will deliver one of his motivational messages to the audience, one you can’t miss.

7:10PM - 7:30PM RAFFLE GIFT GIVEAWAYS AND CLOSING REMARKS

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

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LINDA ALVAREZ, PhDBorn and raised in the San Fernando Valley, Dr. Linda Alvarez earned a B.A. in Spanish Language and Culture from California State University, Northridge. From there she went on to complete an M.A. in Latin American Studies at California State University, Los Angeles, as well as an M.A. in International Studies and a Ph.D. in Political Science from Claremont Graduate University. Her current research focuses on political knowledge,

migration, race and ethnicity, and transnational political engagement among underrepresented groups in Central America and the United States. Dr. Alvarez also serves on the advisory board of Food Empowerment Project. Over the past 20 years, she has been formally involved in domestic and farm animal rescue in Southern California, as well as in Mexico and Central America. Professor Alvarez is dedicated to spreading awareness on issues of food (in)justice among communities of color. Professor Alvarez is one of the organizers of COVAC’s 2016 People of Color: Animal Rights, Advocacy and Food Justice Conference.

TONI BELLToni is a writer and documentary filmmaker. Her foray into documentary film began when she started writing and editing the newsletter for the Black Association of Documentary Filmmakers – West. This led to her first gig as production assistant then archival researcher for the film, Bridging the Divide: Tom Bradley and the Politics of Race, which was aired nationally on PBS. Toni has done research for several films and she was a researcher

for the BET/Centric television series “Being.” Toni holds a B.A. in anthropology and sociology from Carleton College, and a M.F.A. in creative writing from Naropa University. She has a certificate in Professional Screen Writing from UCLA. Toni recently earned an M.A. in Visual Anthropology at USC. While in that program, she began a yearlong, in depth ethnographic study of Black vegans in Los Angeles. The result is the work-in-progress short film, Vegan Noir: Black Vegans in Los Angeles.

PROFILES

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DAVID CARTERDavid Carter, a UCLA graduate, was drafted into the NFL in 2011 to the Arizona Cardinals. In his third season after being released from the Dallas Cowboys, the physicality of the sport started taking a toll on his body. Looking for answers on how to heal his injuries, David sat down to watch the documentary Forks Over Knives. It was then he decided to surprise his vegan wife on Valentines

Day with the promise to switch to a compassionate lifestyle overnight. David is now more famously known as The 300 Pound Vegan and is using his platform to be a voice for animals, human health and the planet. Most recently, David and his wife, Paige, have begun focusing on making the animal rights movement a more inclusive space for people of color. They now consult with non-profit animal rights organizations to help create and execute projects that introduce systemically underserved areas to a plant-based lifestyle.

EUGENE COOKEEugene began working in the urban agriculture movement in Southern California. He was baptized into urban gardening with a full immersion mentorship with Adonijah Miyamura El in Los Angeles, developing Food Forestry at Crenshaw High school. The apprenticeship deepened Eugene’s awareness of the vital need to restore

the soil and encourage tree and vegetable growth in urban areas. Eugene has continued growing his skills by traveling nationally and internationally to learn from exemplary local food systems. Eugene has worked in Jamaica with One Love Learning Foundation, and in Haiti with League of Hope. He traveled to Kenya to absorb the rich possibilities of small-scale, intensive local food systems. In the United States, Eugene has worked along side Permaculture designers as well as indigenous farmers. Eugene established Grow Where You Are, LLC., to create a structure for the collaborative efforts of local food heroes to yield tangible results. Grow Where You Are is developing a diverse and productive Agro-ecology Center in Southwest Atlanta where clean food is grown in a system that preserves the ecology and supports the people.

PROFILES

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ASHEL SEASUNZ ELDRIDGEAshel earned an M. A. in Transpersonal Psy-chology. A Chicago born, Oakland resident, he is the founder of Earth Amplified, an artivism and spirituality collective. AshEL was the Northern California Education and Media Manager with the Alliance for Climate Education, and a also a Green For All Fellow. He is co-founder of United Roots Oakland – Oakland’s Green Youth Arts and

Media Center and the founder of SOS Juice: Power the People, which promotes health equity, social entrepreneurship, and spiritual liberation. AshEl is also founder of The Urban Farmacy, a project creating health and wealth within low-income communities by cultivating food and natural medicines with hydroponics. He is a senior strategist for Hip Hop is Green, and inspires many as the Legend of the Uber Rapper, a webisode about a free styling creative coach for rideshares. Most recently, AshEl has become a health coach and distributor with Purium, a transformational health and wealth building company.

CHEMA HERNANDEZ GILChema is co-founder and board member of Seed the Commons, a San Francisco-based organization that works to create sustainable and just food systems that are independent of animal exploitation. Professionally, Chema helps build the political power of working-class communities of color in San Francisco as political coordinator

at San Francisco Rising. Born in Mexico, Chema emigrated as a child in the late 80s. He grew up in the Canadian Rust Belt and Middle Tennessee before moving to Switzerland, where he spent thirteen years studying engineering, working and getting involved in European media activism. He lives in San Francisco’s South of Market, loves to bike and hike, and is passionate about animal liberation. Chema was raised vegetarian and later became vegan.

PROFILES

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LAUREN ORNELASlauren Ornelas is the founder/director of Food Empowerment Project (F.E.P.), a vegan food justice nonprofit seeking to create a more just world by helping consumers recognize the power of their food choices. F.E.P. works in solidarity with farm workers, advocates for chocolate not sourced from the worst forms of child labor, and focuses on access to healthy foods in communities of color and low-income communities. While lauren was

the director of Viva!USA, she investigated factory farms and ran consumer campaigns. In cooperation with activists across the country, she persuaded Trader Joe’s to stop selling all duck meat and was the spark that got the founder of Whole Foods Market to become a vegan. She also helped halt the construction of an industrial dairy operation in California. She served as campaign director with the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition for six years. Watch her TEDx talk on The Power of Our Food Choices.

BRENDA SANDERSBrenda is a food justice activist in Baltimore City who has dedicated her life to fighting for vulnerable populations. As a community organizer, Brenda has coordinated events like The Vegan Living Program, an annual 6-week vegan education program; Eating for Life, a plant-based cooking workshop; and Vegan SoulFest, a festival that celebrates culture and the vegan lifestyle. Brenda is a founding member of PEP Foods, Inc.,

a vegan food collective bringing affordable vegan food to marginalized communities in Baltimore. Brenda promotes veganism in her social justice work because it is a lifestyle that addresses health disparities, environmental destruction and animal abuse, and gives individuals the ability to effect real, positive change in the world.

PROFILES

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DOMINICK THOMPSONDominick Thompson is a leader in the vegan community and founder of Crazies and Weirdos®, a successful New York based start-up company that produces hip, sustainable, eco-friendly clothing dedicated to the animal rights movement. He is also the founder of IRON BRUKAL, a sports and fitness brand, dedicated to the working professional, with plans to open training facilities

in 2018. Dominick is an activist as well as an athlete. Not just any athlete, but a working athlete whose weekly training schedule includes cycling, swimming, running, calisthenics, boxing, cross-fit, cross-training, weight and power-lifting. He also competes year round in 10-12 endurance races per year, including marathons, triathlons, and ultra-races. Because of this and his assertive activism, Dominick has received global recognition and has been featured in NPR News, ABC News, Men’s Muscle and Fitness Magazine, Esquire, Thrive Magazine, Origins Magazine, PETA and more. His social media platform is strong and continues to grow while producing some of the most inspiring, impactful content to over 130,000 followers.

TORRE WASHINGTONTorre is a National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) certified coach and six-time champion pro-competitive natural bodybuilder with pro cards in four distinct bodybuilding organizations. Raised vegetarian since birth and vegan since 1998, Torre built his physique entirely on a vegan diet without the aid of supplements. Torre’s training style focuses on physical symmetry and aesthetics,

and has therefore become the most sought after vegan bodybuilder internationally. Torre is the first vegan bodybuilder to be featured in GQ Magazine (March 2016). Torre advocates for veganism to his global fan base and brings awareness to the plight of animals, as well as the need to heal mother earth through living the vegan lifestyle. He has been awarded the Humane Hero Award by the Florida Humane League in 2016 for his animal advocacy.

PROFILES

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SARAH WOODCOCKSarah K. Woodcock is the Founder and Executive Director of The Advocacy of Veganism Society (TAVS). TAVS is an all-volunteer vegan education organization that educates non-vegans about veganism, and provides vegans with resources for their vegan advocacy. TAVS takes a pro-intersectional approach, rejecting all forms of oppression, to honor the foundation of justice upon

which veganism rests. Sarah is an adopted Korean-American vegan. She lives in the Minneapolis, with her husband and adopted animals.

LIZ ROSSLiz is the founder of Coalition of Vegan Activists of Color (COVAC), which partners with individuals and community organizations to mobilize vegan outreach, animal rights and vegan food justice activists of color and provide motivation and information through workshops, conferences, social networking and volunteer events. Liz serves on the advisory board of Food Empowerment

Project, a vegan food justice organization. Liz also provides a space for vegans of color to share information, and meet up for social and volunteer events through her Facebook Group page, Cali Vegans of Color. As a former police officer, Liz raises awareness about the history and problem of mass-incarceration through presentations, and volunteering for organizations that are working to counter its negative impact. Liz has been involved in animal rights activism and vegan outreach for over 6 years and is passionate about agro-ecology.

This year, COVAC teamed up with Dr. Linda Alvarez to organize COVAC’s first People of Color: Animal Rights, Advocacy and Food Justice Conference.

PROFILES

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COMMUNITY BUILDINGCOVAC is committed to supporting other vegan organizations that engage in work and advocacy on intersectional vegan perspectives. Our Leadership Award, in the form of a monetary gift, celebrates the achievements of a vegan of color in the animal rights, vegan outreach and food justice movement. This award is solely from registration contributions, emphasizing the importance of community building.

This year COVAC is pleased to announce that our Leadership Award will be given to lauren Ornelas, founder of Food Empowerment Project.

HELP SAVE THE ENVIRONMENTCOVAC strives to promote and encourage as little waste as possible. We ask participants to avoid bringing disposable plastic bottles and plastic utensils. Instead, please bring your re-usable/re-fillable water container. Water fountains are located in the hallways. Compost bins and recycled bins are also provided.

IS LUNCH PROVIDED?Lunch is not provided. Bring your own lunch or visit the vegan-friendly restaurants nearby. Registrants will receive email updates about what is available in the area. We will provide snacks such as fruits and mixed nuts during our break session. EXCEPT FOR WATER CONTAINERS, FOOD AND DRINKS ARE NOT PERMITTED INSIDE THE THEATRE.

PARKING AND DIRECTIONSThe Little Theatre at Nordhoff Hall (NH121), is located at the corner of Etiwanda Avenue and Nordhoff Street at Cal State Northridge. The campus main address is 18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, CA 91330. Parking is available across from Nordhoff Hall in Parking Lot B1 and in Parking Building Lot B3. Both are located on Etiwanda Avenue between Nordhoff Street and Prairie Street (SEE MAP ON NEXT PAGE). Day Permit is $8.00 with in/out privileges, which can be purchased at the campus parking booths at the entrance or at the parking lot vending machines. Parking permits must be displayed on the driver’s side dashboard and must be visible or your vehicle may be cited by CSUN. Free parking is available in residential areas around the campus. BE SURE TO READ THE SIGNS, as certain streets only allow parking on certain days/times.

ON EVENT DAY

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PARKING AND DIRECTIONS CONTINUED

ON EVENT DAY

From CA 118 WestboundExit CA 118 at Reseda Blvd and turn right. Travel 200 yards on Rinaldi to Reseda Blvd. Turn right on Reseda and travel 2.5 miles south to Prairie Street. Left on Prairie Street.From CA 118 EastboundExit CA 118 at Reseda Blvd. Turn right on Reseda and travel 2.5 miles south to Prairie Street. Left on Prairie Street. From Interstate 405 SouthboundExit Interstate 405 at Nordhoff St. and turn right. Travel 3.2 miles to Darby Ave. Turn right on Darby to Prairie Street.From Interstate 405 NorthboundExit Interstate 405 at Nordhoff St. and turn left. Travel 3.2 miles to Darby Ave. Turn right on Darby to Prairie Street.From US 101 WestboundExit US 101 at Reseda Blvd and turn right. Travel 4.5 miles, past Nordhoff Street to Prairie Street. Right on Prairie Street toward Darby.From US 101 EastboundExit US 101 at Reseda Blvd and turn left. Travel 4.5 miles, past Nordhoff Street to Prairie Street. Right on Prairie Street toward Darby.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATIONhttp://www.metrolinktrains.com/home/

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PLATINUM SPONSORSA Well Fed World (AWFW) is a hunger relief and animal protection organization chipping away the suffering of people hungry from lack of food, and the suffering of animals used and abused for food. AWFW uses a positive, practical and action-led approach that produces immediate assistance for those in need, and structural change for lasting results. AWFW is based in Washington, DC. http://awfw.org/

NFL defensive lineman, David Carter, aka, The 300 Pound Vegan, and long-time vegan and animal rights activist, Paige Carter, are dedicated to spreading veganism through social justice initiatives in communities of color. They both also travel extensively on speaking engagements, making a difference in the lives of both humans and non-human animals.http://www.the300poundvegan.com/

GOLD SPONSORSThe Advocacy of Veganism Society (TAVS) facilitates an organized grassroots movement of vegan advocacy globally that reflects the recognition of the moral personhood of nonhuman animals. Creative nonviolent vegan education is its foundation. TAVS is located in Minneapolis, MN. http://www.abolitionistvegansociety.org/

Charlotte Cressey’s wellness offerings empower you to create positive change – whether you want to: improve physical fitness, make healthier food choices, lose weight, improve relationships, access your unique gifts and talents, decrease anxiety, or feel more confident. Charlotte’s programs are grounded in an intersectional ecofeminist philosophy of personal and planetary transformation. Stop. Feel. Remember your embodied connection to nature and to all of life. This is your true power. http://www.charlottecressey.com/

Farm Animal Rights Movement (FARM) is a national non-profit organization working to end the use of animals for food through public education and grassroots activism. FARM believes in the inherent self-worth of animals, enhanced environmental protection, and public health. FARM as offices in Washington, DC, and Portland, OR, and organizes the largest Animal Rights conference in the U.S. http://www.farmusa.org/

OUR SPONSORS

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GOLD SPONSORS CONTINUEDThe Pollination Project (TPP) specializes in making small seed grants to grassroots change-makers all over the globe. TPPs worldwide network of grantees, ambassadors, and community partners allows them to identify and fund to exceptional people and projects operating under the radar of many institutional donors. TPP is based in San Francisco, CA.https://thepollinationproject.org/

SILVER SPONSORS VegFund provides grants to vegan activists to support their outreach efforts. VegFund provides funding for events worldwide that inspire people to choose and maintain a vegan lifestyle. VegFund is located in Washington, DC. http://www.vegfund.org/

BRONZE SPONSORSFollow Your Heart is a vegan food company known for their branded products, such as Veganaise® and Vegan Gourmet®, Diary Alternatives and Follow Your Heart® salad dressings. They are committed to demonstrating leadership in the ethical, social, and environmental responsibilities of operating a business. Follow Your Heart Market and Cafe is located at 21825 Sherman Way, Canoga Park, CA 91303.http://followyourheart.com/

OUR SPONSORS

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BRONZE SPONSORS CONTINUEDLocated in the heart of downtown Inglewood, Stuff I Eat is a Black-owned vegan restaurant. Chef Babette Davis, part-owner, serves vegan dishes that are 100% fresh and natural, and 95% organic. Stuff I Eat is located at 114 North Market Street, Inglewood, CA 90301.http://www.stuffieat.com/

SunCafe is a plant-based restaurant that uses the freshest organic ingredients, using seasonal produce, for the liveliest food you will ever experience. Their organically-farmed, GMO-free produce avoids the use of toxic pesticides. Their made-to-order dishes take a little extra preparation, but they are worth the wait! SunCafe is located at 10820 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604. http://www.suncafe.com/

Veggie Grill is a vegan chain restaurant offering sandwiches, salads, faux meats & sides in a modern, counter-service setting. Veggie Grill has restaurants throughout Washington, California and Oregon, and is rapidly expanding. https://www.veggiegrill.com/

OUR SPONSORS

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Thank you audience for coming out to participate in this first-ever event on Southern California.

Thank you sponsors for believing in our mission and understanding the importance of celebrating the work of vegans of color in the animal rights, vegan outreach and vegan food justice movement. We could not have done this without you.

Many thanks to :Registration Desk: Darrin JohnsonEvent Photographer: Noemi AguirreEvent Video Recorder: John Bernard, Awakening Conscience

Our volunteers, Carol Paniagua, Yussef Esmail, Mardhavi Rodrigo and Alex Vargas, and to our friends and family, who have been with us throughout. You are awesome!

With warm regards,

Liz and Linda

THANK YOU