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Featured Group: Black Vegetarian Society of Florida The mission of the Black Vegetarian Society of Florida, Inc. (BVSFL) is to promote the inherent health benefits of a plant-based diet. BVSFL embraces a vegetarian concept of one village at a time. We spoke with executive director Kia Glimps-Smith about BVSFL. _______________________________________________________________________________
BV: Why did you start BVSFL?
KGS: Five years ago, my family and I began a health journey toward a vegetarian diet. I began to learn more about the traditional diet of African people, which is a vegetarian diet, and I wanted to surround my family and myself with people who thought about and approached their diet as I did. For months I thought about the idea and with the support and encouragement of my husband and Traci Thomas, director of the Black Vegetarian Society of Georgia, I decided to form the organization. At the first meeting, I really didn't think anyone was going to attend. That night, however, eight people showed up and we were very excited. Those eight people encouraged me to keep looking for families and individuals who were interested in vegetarian lifestyles and concepts. We are now one year strong and I am proud of that!
BV: How do you spread your message?
KGS: Since starting BVSFL, our organization has grown from eight to thirty people. By trade, I am a freelance reporter and my ultimate goal was to start a vegetarian newspaper or magazine. I created a newsletter for BVSFL that features articles on vegetarian lifestyles, herbs and recipes. We place the newsletter and flyers in health-related stores, cultural centers, and in the community to help educate and spread the word. I prefer the grassroots way of promoting BVSFL. When I meet someone, the first thing I say is “Hey, have you heard of a new organization called the Black Vegetarian Society of Florida?” Then I give them a flyer or a newsletter. To me, it's more personal.
BV: What kind of reception have you gotten from the community?
KGS: Wow! The reception has been mixed. South Florida is a very diverse area. We have African Americans, Jamaican, Haitians, Africans, Cubans, Puerto Ricans and other nationalities. Each of these Pan African nationalities is accustomed to eating a certain way. When we come in talking about eating a plant-based diet, many of them think they can't give up eating meat. It's our responsibility to educate and stimulate them to want to change and start eating healthier. On the other hand, we have some people who see us in the community and say that they have been looking for an organization like ours, they're glad we're here and to keep up the good work.
BV: Have you seen an increasing interest in vegetarian lifestyles?
KGS: I must say that I have seen an increase. When you have a community that is suffering and ailing, the people are going to get fed up and start to take back control of what they put in their bodies. These days, when you go into mainstream health food stores, you don't see the typical hippie Caucasians anymore. You now see more African Americans and other nationalities that are taking the time to educate themselves on the health benefits of a vegetarian diet. If we educate ourselves on what we are putting in our bodies, the outcome will be less heart disease or diabetes. The key is to educate, which is what we try to do.
BV: What plans does BVSFL have for the near future?
KGS: Our number one goal is to obtain 501c3 tax exemption status. That way we will have the ability to get funds to create a food co-op, a permanent facility, classes, and outreach programs for young people and senior citizens. I have big plans for all of the black vegetarian societies. We are here to stay! The legacies that the black vegetarian societies create will give new generations the tools to help keep black people healthy and living long.
Contact BVSFL at: 954-450-0391 http://home.earthlink.net/~blackvegsocietyofflorida/
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