At Rainbow Mini Park in South Sacramento, what was once an empty lot is alive with seedlings, laughter, and a sense of purpose. Residents young and old gathered Jan. 31 for the annual Plant Celebration and Freecycle Giveaway, organized by Color the Block with other community organizations.

The family-friendly event focused on sustainability, community care, and access to resources. Attendees enjoyed free plants and seeds, participated in onsite planting and gardening, explored the Freecycle Giveaway with household goods and clothing, and connected with local organizations offering services and information.

“This is about growing the community, not just produce,” said Morgan Brown, CEO of Color the Block. “It’s about giving residents, especially youth, the skills, knowledge, and confidence to take ownership of their neighborhood.”

Community gardening also holds deep historical significance for Black communities in America. From the provision gardens tended by enslaved Africans, who grew food to survive and preserve cultural traditions, to the rise of Black landownership after emancipation, farming has long been tied to resilience and freedom.

Although Black farmers faced decades of systemic land loss through discrimination and displacement, land-based projects have remained central to movements for self-sufficiency and justice.

Today, urban community gardens continue that legacy, serving as sources of fresh produce and as spaces where historically marginalized communities can reclaim land, rebuild health, and shape their own food futures.

Leaders behind the South-Central Sacramento Community garden initiative affirms that the history makes their work even more meaningful today.

The initiative was founded by Color the Block in partnership with United and Guided, Immersion Foundation, Estate Farms, July Forward, Sierra Service Project, and Family and Community Connections.

In this collaborative effort, the organization aims to transform vacant spaces in underserved and underrepresented areas of Sacramento into vibrant, sustainable community gardens.

Morgan and Rahmu Brown, who are married, began the project over two and a half years ago, inspired by their children and the challenges revealed by the pandemic.

“At the height of COVID, we were reflecting on how society has changed,” said Morgan. “Kids aren’t outside as much. They’re in front of screens, and they don’t actually have access.”

“As we get older, the things we can tolerate change,” said Rahmu, co-founder and operations manager of Color the Block. “We started looking at healthier practices not only for us, but for our kids,” he added. 

The initiative addresses critical gaps in South and Central Sacramento, areas historically underserved and home to many Black and Brown communities.

“There aren’t a lot of resources for the Black population here,” Morgan said. “What we’re bringing is a Black face, to show the world that we are still here, still a big part of this country, and we need to be represented.”

Food Access And Youth Empowerment 

Community gardens are more than a source of fresh produce; they are classrooms and hubs for social connection.

Sydney Mathis, who attended the plant day celebration and is founding director of the Black-led EGE Foundation, underscored the transformative potential of community gardens.

“These gardens are spaces for healing, learning, and reconnection,” Mathis said. “In neighborhoods that have historically been underserved, community gardens restore access not only to fresh produce, but also to dignity, cultural traditions, and shared responsibility.”

Mathis explained that community gardens reduce barriers tied to transportation and cost while building resilience.

“Families are able to grow food close to home rather than relying on distant grocery stores,” she said. “Over time, that knowledge strengthens household food security.”

She also explained how community gardens can help foster food justice in our community.

“Food justice in Sacramento means ensuring that every community has equitable access to healthy food, land, education, and decision-making power,” she said. “Communities should not just receive support, they should actively shape their own food futures.”

Morgan notes that while Sacramento has community gardens, many have barriers that exclude the people who need them most.

“Community gardens tend to be run by individuals who may not need the access,” she said. “There are plot rents and financial barriers [involved in running] community gardens.”

The organization is also expanding into innovative farming methods, including controlled environment agriculture. 

“We are creating a mushroom farm, as well as a hydroponic and microgreens farm, to maximize space and produce high-protein, nutrient-rich foods you normally don’t see in regular stores,” Rahmu said.

He points to specialty mushrooms like lion’s mane, which can cost up to $25 a pound at upscale markets.

“The average person of color that looks like us isn’t going to buy stuff like that,” he said. “So we’re going to start producing those types of specialty vegetables right here in South Sacramento.”

Youth involvement is central to the vision.

“They’re our future,” Rahmu said. “If we’re not teaching them this information, we can’t blame them for not caring.”

Despite the progress, Morgan and Rahmu said, sustaining gardens requires ongoing investment.

“The biggest challenge is funding support,” Rahmu said. “As much as we’d love to do this all day, every day, people have jobs. Resources become a barrier.”

Volunteer support also is critical. They said consistent community involvement could make the difference.

“As far as community support, we need people to help maintain the garden and to spread the word,” Morgan said.

They also believe the city can play a larger role by making unused land available for gardens.

“That would help largely with food insecurity,” Rahm said.

A Self-Sustained Future

Over the next five to 10 years, Color the Block hopes to expand urban farming, convert more vacant spaces, and normalize Black communities’ reclaiming of agriculture.

“We want kids to enjoy being outside,” Morgan said. “To understand self-sustainability through growing your own food.”

She also wants to challenge stereotypes of what farming looks like.

“You can farm in Crocs and Jordans if you want to,” she said. “Normalizing people that look like us being outside in the garden, that’s the future.”

For Rahmu, the work has reinforced the importance of community in advancing it.

“It takes a village,” he said. “We’ve lost that village mentality. But it’s OK to lean into each other again.”

The day brought residents together not only to plant, but to celebrate.

“It represents collective care, growth, and shared investment in the future,” Mathis said. “It symbolizes renewal and the power of coming together to nurture something meaningful.”

For Rahmu, the event also was a reminder of what community support can look like.

“Watching parents walk away with boxes of clothes, kids filling bags, people smiling — that’s a win,” he said.

Morgan said she left feeling accomplished.

“I know people were happy,” she said. “Even if someone didn’t care much about grabbing a plant, they still left with one. We’re still teaching, even accidentally, how to grow food.”