Speaker: Jasmine Jefferson, Owner at Black Girls Garden

My Educational Programs / Sessions @ Cultivate

Expanding Racial Equity in Horticulture - A Panel Discussion
Monday, July 17 • 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
The National Gardening Survey has reported for the third year in a row that the greatest number of people of color are participating in gardening and landscape activities than ever before. Additionally, consumers are more likely to purchase from retail locations that have greater representation of their racial or ethnic group within the employee base and within marketing images and messages. With consumers preferring and requesting greater representation, how can we foster greater racial equity within horticulture firms for employees? Within this panel, we'll discuss opportunities for the horticulture industry to create and foster employee equity and sense of belonging.

About Our Speaker:

Jasmine Jefferson, Owner at Black Girls Garden
(article from JULIANNE MOBILIAN, Garden Center Magazine)
There are ways white and non-Black POC members of the horticulture field can show their support when it comes to diversifying green spaces. One of the ways they can do this is by supporting and buying from Black business owners. Gain new insight and a fresh perspective from Jasmine Jefferson, the creator and founder of Black Girls With Gardens (BGWG), an inclusive online platform for Black women gardeners, business owners and fellow plant parents.

Jefferson, who is a Pensacola, Florida, native, says her family had always gardened in some form, but she initially shied away from it because it seemed daunting. However, that changed in 2013 after the loss of her grandmother. “My real inspiration, where it really started, is when my last grandmother passed away. I was left with her flowers and I started taking care of them,” Jefferson says. “And from there, I just got obsessed with growing herbs, and then that's when I just really started getting into gardening.”