OUR STORY
ROOTED IN LEGACY, GROWING FOR THE FUTURE
Black Oaks Center was born of a need to prepare our communities to be resilient in the face of climate instability, resource decline, and growing economic hardships. Our goal is to provide learning opportunities – both hands-on and virtual – to develop ‘lifeboats’: a core group of communities equipped with the skills needed to be resilient and thrive in a post-carbon world. Founded by Dr. Jifunza Wright-Carter, Fred Carter, and Akin Carter, the Center stands as a beacon of self-sufficiency, environmental stewardship, and sustainable living in Pembroke Township, a historic farming community in the Midwest.
LAND LOSS TO LAND LEGACY
For generations, Black farmers have played a vital role in American agriculture, yet many have faced challenges that have led to land loss, financial hardship, and food supply difficulties."At Black Oaks Center, we are reversing this trend by equipping farmers, families, and future generations with the skills, resources, and knowledge to restore food sovereignty, revitalize local economies, and regenerate the land.
A LIVING MODEL OF SUSTAINABILITY
Located just 60 miles south of Chicago, our land serves as a model for sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, and ecological design. We don’t just teach theory—we live the solutions, offering hands-on training, workshops, and partnerships that create real pathways to food and economic security.
CULTIVATING RESILIENCE, NOURISHING FUTURES
At Black Oaks Center, we believe resilience starts with community. By strengthening local food systems, revitalizing agricultural traditions, and advocating for policies that protect Black farmers and their land, we are cultivating a future where Black farmers, families, and communities thrive.
Join us in this movement. The future of sustainable living -- and a more just and wholesome food system -- begins here. Then, it grows here.