This week’s issue of The Cultivation is dedicated to our unwavering support for racial justice in this country. We all witness overt and subtle inequalities play out on a daily basis in each of our communities and our professions. Black people have been grossly underrepresented in the professional gardening space, and the field of horticulture and the landscape design profession are very white places. But we can help change that.
We have always been committed to hiring a diverse team and to partnering with minority-owned small businesses whenever possible. We will continue to do so with vigor. We consider it our responsibility to highlight Black landscape architects, gardeners, thought leaders, business owners, and other industry professionals in this newsletter. A few of our favorite Black-owned gardening, plant- and botanical-focused businesses are listed below. We've also listed some standout groups that are fighting for racial justice. Please read about them and consider making a donation to support their work. Let's all rise up together.
Jasmine Jefferson has created a comprehensive online resource for all-things gardening. From starting seeds to breaking ground on your own garden, she's got it covered.
BLK + GRN is a marketplace of non-toxic goods by all Black artisans. We’re especially intrigued by this handmade soap from Blade + Bloom which contains a swoon-worthy mix of rosemary, lavender, rose geranium, and rose essential oils.
Megan and Margaret George are the creative minds behind this home decor and indoor plant shop, which offers workshops along with all kinds of plants and planters. We're big fans of their Prickly Planter (pictured).
Artist Ronnie Robinson, whose studio is Ron Nicole, creates one-of-a-kind "plant fossils" using plaster and plantings grown in her own garden. Everything she makes is amazing.
Isha Plants is a new online resource and carefully-curated plant shop. Among their offerings is a plant propagation subscription featuring cuttings of hard-to-find and rarely-sold indoor plants.