"Cultivating Wealth" The Black Agricultural Financial Network

Volume 2: April 15, 2024

Welcome BFAA members to the second edition of "Cultivating Wealth: The Black Agricultural Financial Network" - your monthly resource for building sustainable, generational wealth through farming and agribusiness. In this issue, we've got an exciting lineup of updates, insights, and opportunities to share.

First and foremost, I want to emphasize the critical importance of attending our upcoming monthly Zoom webinar series. These interactive sessions are a vital component of our strategy to strengthen the $2.2 billion lawsuit that the Black Farmers and Agriculturalists Association (BFAA) has filed against the USDA for decades of discrimination.

During this month's webinar series, we will be focusing on crafting personal "narratives" - a key piece of evidence that our legal team has requested from heirs who have faced discrimination in maintaining ownership of their family land. These narratives will be used to bolster our case and demonstrate the very real, devastating impact that the USDA's unfair practices have had on generations of Black farmers and landowners.

We cannot overstate the importance of these webinars and your full participation. What we are doing is groundbreaking and we encourage all of you to invite your family members and other relatives to get signed up with the newsletter so they can have this individual access as well. We are making large strides! The information and guidance provided will no longer be available in recorded form afterward. Each session will build upon the previous one, equipping you with the tools to effectively document your family's experience of discrimination. Attending all four webinars this month is essential to ensure you have everything you need.

The webinar series will walk participants through the process of composing their narratives from several different perspectives. We recognize that the stories of those who are still actively managing their family land will differ from the experiences of heirs who have lost that ownership or maintained ownership. By delving into these varied viewpoints, we aim to give all of our members the ability to powerfully convey how USDA discrimination has impacted them, their families, and their generational wealth.

These personal narratives will be a cornerstone of our case against the USDA. They will put a human face on the systemic injustices that Black farmers have endured, lending crucial weight and credibility to our legal argument. The more comprehensive and compelling these narratives are, the stronger our position will be in securing the $2.2 billion in restitution that our community is owed. For this very reason we need full participation from all of our BFAA members, everyone has heard the phrase, “There is Strength in number” this is the time to show our strength!

Beyond the immediate litigation, these narratives will also serve as a powerful archive of our community's history and resilience in the face of generations of discrimination. They will give voice to the stories of those who have struggled to hang onto their family's agricultural legacies, despite the countless obstacles placed in their path. In doing so, they will inspire future generations to continue this fight, to reclaim what was taken, and to build toward a more equitable and prosperous future for Black farmers and their heirs.

Now, let's shift gears and talk about what's coming up in future issues of "Cultivating Wealth." We are committed to arming you with the knowledge, resources, and strategies you need to achieve lasting financial security and generational wealth through farming and agribusiness.

One of the key areas of focus will be providing a comprehensive guide to the various USDA grant programs and loan opportunities available to Black farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs. Access to financing has long been a significant barrier for our community, with the USDA's own discriminatory practices playing a major role in denying us the capital needed to start, maintain, and grow our farming operations and agribusinesses.

But that is all about to change. Upcoming editions of "Cultivating Wealth" will dive deep into the full spectrum of USDA funding sources, detailing the eligibility requirements, application processes, and strategies for securing these crucial resources.

1. For future webinars, ensure that you are connected to a reliable WiFi network before joining the call.

2. Download the Zoom app on your phone, laptop, or desktop before the call to prevent any delays in joining.

3. Mr. Burrell will not be answering questions about individual cases on the call. The next few webinars will be addressing issues as a whole.

Here’s the link to sign up for our next webinar on Tuesday, April 16th:

Keep an eye out for information regarding our next webinar on 4/18. We will have a total of 4 webinars in April. Stay tuned for updates.

Beyond just describing the various funding sources, we'll also provide step-by-step guidance on crafting compelling applications that maximize your chances of approval. Our team will share insider tips, sample documents, and other invaluable resources to support you through the entire process.

Access to capital is fundamental to building generational wealth through agriculture. By arming you with this comprehensive USDA grants and loans roadmap, we aim to empower Black farmers and entrepreneurs to take full advantage of these critical programs.

And speaking of empowerment, I'm thrilled to announce the launch of our new "Cultivating Wealth" grant program! This is our way of giving back to you, our dedicated BFAA community members, who have shown unwavering support for our mission. We want to be there for you, to help you grow, and to celebrate your successes.

That's why we're excited to reveal the names of four pioneering recipients who will each receive a $250 grant through this program. These grant winners were randomly selected from our pool of active "Cultivating Wealth" newsletter subscribers. All you had to do to be eligible was maintain your subscription to our monthly publication. No lengthy applications or complicated requirements - we simply wanted to show our appreciation for your loyal engagement with the BFAA.

But this is just the beginning! The "Cultivating Wealth" grant will be a monthly giveaway, with varying award amounts throughout the year. That means anyone who stays engaged with our newsletter and keeps their subscription active will have a chance to be one of our lucky winners. The four grant recipients for this month will be announced live during our mid-May webinar by our President, Mr. Thomas Burwell, so be sure to tune in!

We are so proud to highlight the stories and achievements of these trailblazers in our next issues of "Cultivating Wealth." Their journeys will serve as beacons of inspiration, demonstrating the power of Black farming and agricultural entrepreneurship to create generational wealth.

And that's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the valuable content and resources we have in store for you in upcoming editions of "Cultivating Wealth." You won't want to miss our live webinar with BFAA President Thomas Burrell, where he'll be delivering the latest updates on our $2.2 billion lawsuit against the USDA. We've also got investor insight columns lined up, offering strategic guidance on funding strategies to scale your agribusiness.

Future issues will feature step-by-step advice from top financial experts on building generational wealth through farming, as well as policy analyses breaking down the impacts of legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act. And of course, we'll continue to provide in-depth profiles on Black farmers who have overcome significant financing obstacles, sharing their inspiring stories of resilience and success.

I encourage all of you to make plans to attend our monthly webinar series, as the insights and strategies shared will be invaluable to your own wealth-building efforts. And be sure to keep an eye out for the upcoming editions of "Cultivating Wealth" - you won't want to miss out on all the impactful content and resources we have in store.

Together, through initiatives like these webinars, our monthly newsletter, and the ongoing grant program, we are laying the foundation for a more equitable and prosperous future for Black farmers and landowners and their heirs. Your participation and support are crucial to the success of these efforts and to the ultimate victory of our lawsuit against the USDA.

Join us in this vital work as we craft the narratives, build the wealth, and cement the legacy that our community deserves. The time for change is now, and we are stronger together.