by Alejandra Rodriguez Boughton
This is part of a series of posts from participants in the Texas Local Food Anti-Racism training by the National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ). Together we are creating an anti-racist food system in Texas.
My name is Alejandra Rodriguez Boughton, I’m originally from Monterrey, Mexico, but I’ve called Austin home for the past 12 years. I’m the owner and operator of LA FLACA–an urban farm in southwest Austin that grows global ingredients through sustainable practices for local restaurants. In a previous life, I worked as a corporate banker but I was unsatisfied with corporate life, so I eventually found a purpose in sustainable agriculture, and more recently food justice.
Both in my time in business and food, I’ve witnessed and experienced pervasive, systematic racism. Many times I’ve been ill-equipped to properly respond to racist incidents in a constructive manner so I’m very grateful for the scholarship I received from the Texas Center for Local Food to attend NCCJ – The National Conference for Community & Justice week-long anti-racism workshop under the expert guidance of Nyaunu Stevens and Kris Wraight.
This training is so worthwhile for anyone looking to be a more effective anti-racist, no matter the color of your skin. From providing an eye-opening history lesson to creating a safe space for hard conversations with a focus on action, community, and healing. It was a transformative experience–now that you know better, you have to do better. I cannot recommend it enough!
Big thanks to Sue Beckwith from Texas Center for Local Food for getting together a diverse group of professionals in the food industry to take this anti-racist training. Also to the funders of this scholarship the San Antonio Food Policy Board (Leslie Provence, Robert Maggiani), and the St. David’s Foundation. I cannot stress enough the value of this training as we work together to build a more equitable food system and would be grateful for any similar future opportunities.
#localfood #community #antiracism #antiracisteducation #leadership #foodjustice