EP 17: Racism, Plants, and Growing Justice With Planter Rob

Welcome to another episode of Supersede with Robert Jeffrey, AKA Planter Rob! In this episode Madeleine and Rob discuss what it means to grow towards justice through confronting difficult situations and conversations. 

As a Black queer man who grew up in Birmingham, Alabama, Rob shares stories of the gardens and plant clippings of his youth that inspired his love of plants. His connection to the natural world and specifically to the plants he cares for is deeply apparent in the conversation, as is his convention to his community and deeper calling towards justice.

Rob invites listeners to consider the power of connection and love to break down biases. Plants show us issues are connected - right down to the soil. Rob embodies this reality by using his voice not only for the issues that directly affect him, but also to draw attention to injustice across the world, from Palestine, to Congo, to New York City.

Rob also shares the work he is doing with his immediate community with his work to develop supportive housing to address the housing crisis in NYC, and his work as a local community board member in his Brooklyn district.

Rob reminds us throughout the conversation about the very real power of joy, and he concludes the interview with a resounding call to get involved with and to support the groups growing joy in our own local communities.

Robert Jeffery is dad to over 80 houseplants. He is a Black entrepreneur and content creator who uses plant culture to share anti-racist work with broad audiences. Planter Rob was born in Birmingham, Alabama. After graduating from Western Michigan University with a degree in Organization Communication, Rob moved to New York, where he launched a business in the floral industry. The start-up’s message? Let’s chat plants and racism.

Follow Planter Rob! 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/planterrob/
Website: https://www.planterrob.com/
X: https://twitter.com/PlanterRob

Seeding Sovereignty's Socials
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Website: www.seedingsovereignty.org

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Website: www.madeleinemacgillivray.com