Discover the significance of land ownership for the Black community and its connection to freedom, justice, and equality, as discussed by Rev. Dr. Heber Brown III.
Author Archives: Rev. Heber Brown III
Posted inJuneteenth
Finding freedom on higher ground: Food justice this Juneteenth
Rev. Dr. Heber Brown III argues that Juneteenth should be both a celebration of freedom and a call to action on food justice. Through the Black Church Food Security Network’s gardening and community programs, including Baltimore’s “Operation Higher Ground,” he encourages collective efforts toward food sovereignty, self-reliance and long-term community nourishment as a path to true liberation.
Posted inOpinion
For such a time as this: Black church gardens are evolving
The Rev. Dr. Heber Brown III, founder and executive director of the Black Church Food Security Network, argues that Black churches must move beyond small volunteer food programs and build long-term, collaborative systems to address food insecurity and “food apartheid” in Black communities.
Posted inOPINION
We must rekindle our relationship with Earth
By Rev. Dr. Heber Brown III This month, I’ll head down to rural Virginia to a small town called Kilmarnock in order to celebrate the life of my great uncle, Dwight O’Neal Caster. Preparing for his homegoing caused me to reflect on the significant time that I spent as a child in rural Virginia. I […]
Posted inOPINION
Cannabis, justice and religion: My journey to leading a dispensary
Rev. Dr. Heber Brown III is an author, nonprofit executive and now, CEO of Marula Wellness Dispensary. This week, he shares his inspiration for pursuing and opening his own marijuana dispensary.
Posted inOPINION
A message to Anne Arundel County: An apology without repair isn’t complete
By Rev. Dr. Heber Brown III In any conversation about healing from the horrific legacy of slavery, there lingers the question of what comes next. We all know that slavery created devastating harms. Particularly with current threats to the true telling of history, it is significant when our government recognizes and acknowledges this. But what […]
Posted inOPINION
In memory of George Briscoe: Another victim of a Maryland lynching
By Rev. Dr. Heber Brown III To the family of George Briscoe, I come to you with reflection, humility and intention. I’ve recently learned of your family’s story and now that I know it, I cannot forget it. On Nov. 26, 1884, an armed group of White men lynched 40-year-old George Briscoe by the Magothy […]
Posted inOpinion
A letter to Howard Cooper’s family: His legacy demands repair
The Rev. Dr. Heber Brown III is a community organizer, clergy-activist and executive director of the Black Church Food Security Network. Over the next several months, he will write letters to the descendants of formerly enslaved and formerly lynched loved ones. This is the first series in that installment.
Posted inOPINION
The time is now. The need is great: The Black family reunion must focus on family-owned land
Black family reunions provide a unique opportunity to preserve and leverage family-owned land, which can be used for food security, economic opportunity, and collective power.
Posted in#FaithWorks
#FaithWorks: Churches can fix food insecurity in Black Baltimore
By Rev. Dr. Heber Brown IIISpecial to the AFRO Feeding the hungry has been a cornerstone of the Christian church since the very beginning. In fact, long before nonprofit organizations and government agencies showed up on the scene to address hunger, churches had been in the fight for food security for many generations. From soup […]
Posted inCommentary
Wearing Out Their Welcome: Is It Time To Disinvite Police From Our Neighborhoods?
Earlier this month, I was informed that one of my neighbors who happens to be a pastor was assaulted by Baltimore City Police Officers just steps from his home and church. The officers came to my clergy neighbor’s house at 2 a.m. claiming that someone called 911. When my neighbor informed him that he was […]
Posted inCommentary
O’Malley’s March Backwards: Governor Refuses to Lead on Youth Jail
During the recent Democratic National Convention before a raucous crowd and a national audience, Maryland Governor and Democratic Governors Association President, Martin O’Malley stood to deliver his best argument as to why President Barack Obama deserved a second presidential term. As O’Malley touted the president’s activities and accomplishments, his speech took on a cadence that […]
