Black-Led Vegan Food Festival Coming To Bed-Stuy

BEDFORD-STUYVESANT, BROOKLYN -- An Olympic skier, a body builder and a borough president will gather in Bed-Stuy Saturday for Brooklyn's first ever black-led vegan food festival.

The Black VegFest will bring local cuisine, live music and renowned Brooklyn vegans to the Grassroots Artists MovEment center at 1958 Fulton St. to promote veganism as a health-centered lifestyle and an expression of social justice, GAME organizers announced.

"Black VegFest uses compassion and intersectionality to examine our lives through conversations around health, racism, sexism, gender-bias and animal welfare," organizers wrote.

"Everyone is welcome to experience delicious vegan or plant-based food, fitness routines, life skills and creative arts."

Keynote speakers include Seba Johnson, the first black woman to ski in the Olympics, bodybuilder and grassroots activist Jehina Malikand, and Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams.

Adams — one of few elected officials who keeps a TRX Suspension Trainer and a fruit-filled minifridge in his office — said he co-sponsored the event because "a plant-based diet saved my life."

"It is now my mission to show my fellow Brooklynites that food can be our medicine," Adams said. "Black VegFest will help spread that important message through our borough and beyond.”

Presentations topics include community organizing for undocumented Americans, animal liberation and a queer Latinx perspective on veganism.

There will also be culinary demonstrations on how to make raw lasagna and vegan ceviche, dance classes and a power yoga and meditation workshop.

Author and activist Omowale Adewale and GAME organized the event which is free to attend, but you can RSVP through EventBrite and receive gifts and access to VIP events.

Black Vegfest will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 11 at 1958 Fulton Street in Bed-Stuy. Visit the website for more information.

Header photo courtesy of Shutterstock