ANOTHER COUNTRY: Building Sustainable Mythologies
MOSAIC LITERARY CONFERENCE 2019

BRONX MUSEUM OF THE ARTS • 1040 GRAND CONCOURSE • BRONX NY
November 18, 2020

How would James Baldwin confront the ongoing environmental crisis that has disproportionately impacted the health and resiliency of Black lives; and what would be his expectations of writers, artists, politicians and all “relatively conscious” individuals during this critical period of time? 

In working with the James Baldwin Outdoor Learning Center, the 2019 Mosaic Literary Conference explores how our literary community can interact and collaborate with garden communities to explore ways that urban dwellers can reclaim green consciousness, advocate for food sovereignty, and defend the environment that we rely upon for our health and survival.

The Mosaic Literary Conference provides a platform for literature-based creative thinking and knowledge sharing. Each year we invite educators, community and arts organizations, and the public to participate in a variety of panels and workshops.

2019 SCHEDULE

11-1130a
Registration

1130-12pm
Plenary

12-1pm
PANEL: Making Dollars and Healthy Choices
In the wake of relentless capitalism, how can we introduce healthy local options into our diet that are part of a sustainable business model? This panel invites local food entrepreneurs to examine how capitalism, development, and gentrification affects their business models.
• William Bryant, Juiceade
• Daniel Maloney, Sol Cacao
• Branden Janese, moderator

WORKSHOP: Finding Garden Community -James Baldwin Outdoor Learning CenterJBOLC will introduce itself and share its origin story before offering a sensibility workshop stimulating participants with patterns of a garden community and encouraging them to reflect on the need for outdoor education.

1-2pm
PANEL: Believing in the Land
How can we overcome psychological and physical barriers in order to return to the land? How can local citizens be more empowered to take action in their communities? This panel will explore the ongoing dialogue between urban communities and the desire to stay connected to the land we in habit.
• Karen Washington, Rise & Root Farm
• Ray Figueroa, Jr., Pratt Institute
• Kadeesha Williams, Bronx Green-up
• Ray Pultinas, moderator

2-3pm
LUNCH will be provided to conference attendees

230-3pm
Artifacts of Nature with Ray Putinas
Where and how do you find home in nature?  We are asking attendees to bring an "artifact of nature" to the conference.  This could be an object, a shell, a stone, a photograph, a poem, a memory, a seed - something that represents your relationship to the natural environment or something that build a personal narrative to the land, the soil, the earth - either from the past or from the present.  During lunch, attendees will be invited to share stories with one another and explore ways this artifact is or can become a lens to further meditation, reflection, and writing.

3-4pm
PANEL: Earth to Earth: Urban Farming Economics
What are the economics and benefits to sustaining urban agriculture? This panel invites several New York based farmers to explore their roles in building an economic model based on equitable community access to green spaces and organic food.
• Yemi Amu, Oko Farms
• Noah Sheetz, Chefs Collaborative
• Ron Kavanaugh, moderator

WORKSHOP: Youth Will Be Served: Morris High School Campus GardenCarmen Bardeguez-Brown and students of Morris Campus Farm will discuss and give guidance on how to start school-based farms and grow economic and vocational opportunities In one of the country's poorest school districts.

4-5pm
KEYNOTE: Onika Abraham, Director of Farm School NYC

ORGANIZERS
The Literary Freedom Project is committed to creating spaces that help leverage the power of books, culture, and education. Our programs value the variety of histories and cultures found in the Bronx and give residents places to build community and explore social engagement.

James Baldwin Outdoor Learning Center strives for inquiry and project-based solutions at the juncture of food, environmental and social justice. Our organization utilizes existing and planned school resources, grounds, and gardens of DeWitt Clinton High School Campus in the Bronx, NY to develop programs in outdoor environmental education for sustainable living and food preparation/services.

This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in Partnership with the City Council, Humanities New York, and donations. In-kind support is provided by the Bronx Museum of the Arts.