Roots of Resilience: East Knoxville's Black Food Rennaissance

Narrated by Umoja Abdul-Ahad, "Roots of Resilience: East Knoxville’s Black Food Renaissance” is a powerful documentary that delves into the legacy of apartheid and its enduring impact on food security and urban spaces within historically Black communities. The film traces the deep-seated issues of food apartheid—systematic racialized barriers to food access—and how these injustices have left many Black neighborhoods as food deserts, devoid of fresh, affordable, and nutritious food.The documentary highlights the journey of activists, community leaders, and urban gardeners who are working to restore urban green spaces in these marginalized communities. Through intimate interviews and poignant visuals, the film showcases how these initiatives are reclaiming the land for the community, fostering self-reliance, and reviving cultural connections to agriculture. At its heart, Roots of Resilience is a story of hope, resilience, resistance and the power of grassroots movements in disrupting the structures of apartheid and cultivating a future where historically Black communities can thrive. This film is a part of a future documentary series that will air during Black History Month 2025.

ABOUT THE FILMMAKER: Ronald Levy is a 29-year-old filmmaker from Memphis, TN, dedicated to creating content that leaves a lasting impact on culture. His passion is to compose work that not only entertains, but also challenges and inspires change. Ronald aims to explore human emotions and societal values, using film as a tool to foster understanding and dialogue. The mission of his company, Levron's Art, includes documentaries to short films, all with the goal of making a meaningful contribution to society and the art of storytelling. You may visit Ron’s website at: https://levronsart.com/

Free street parking in surrounding area around Central Cinema!

***Tickets not required for children under 5 years of age!

This event will be a fundraiser for the Rooted East Knoxville Collective! Additional donations beyond ticket purchase are suggested and greatly appreciated! Funds will be used to sustain Rooted East's mission of solving Food Apartheid in East Knoxville.

Please bring cash donations or have Venmo/CashApp/Paypal donation options ready!

Host or Publisher Rooted East Knox