Feeding Freedom

Food and the comfort it provided was a key factor in the American Civil Rights movement. Black owned cafes served up both hot meals and a place where one could participate in the pre-planning as well as the wrap-up of events that set the pace for social and political change across the nation

In Feeding Freedom, a new half hour documentary the often unknown participants of the movement speak candidly and proudly of the roles they played. The meals served provided nourishment and encouragement for activists and observers of the movement. Often these were the moments which gave people insight into the victories, defeats and crucial events taking place in those turbulent times. They were the grass roots equivalent of a private club or board room where campaigns that ultimately affected millions were crafted and refined.

The café’s, restaurants, nightclubs, barbecue stands and occasionally impromptu outlets were also trading posts of information and intelligence for civil rights activists. Information was passed around over meals along with salt, pepper and hot biscuits. This informal network of establishments could be found in nearly every community in the south and many places in the industrialized north. Their vital role in history has often been taken for granted or forgotten

Restaurant owner Leah Chase recalls serving both the famous and lesser known foot soldiers at her establishment in New Orleans, Civil Rights activist Gwen Patton had a bird’s eye view of events in Montgomery and Selma Alabama, and Prentice McKinney remembers the role of “Toran’s Tropical Hut” in Milwaukee. Each of them brings these stories to life with passion, humor and personal insight during the half hour program.

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Greg Morrison is the director of Feeding Freedom. He is an award winning journalist, author, Executive Producer at Bumper2Bumper TV, and former News Director at the Black Family Channel. For more information about Feeding Freedom, please drop us an email.