How A Former Gang Member Became A Vegan Chef

BY GOING VEGAN - JANUARY 21ST, 2016

Recently, I read the story of this likable young man called Ietef Vita which is really inspiring. It is about a former gang member who has become not only an organic gardener but also a vegan chef. His approach is even more exciting as he uses Hip-Hop music to motivate young adults to reclaim mother earth by teaching them how to become an organic gardener and how to develop healthy diet habits. He has been so successful that he has even become an award winning international recording artist. His so-called “food movement” started in his hometown Denver and has become internationally popular by now. Take time to read his story and to watch the entire video. Definitely, it will inspire you, too!

“Filmmaker JLove Calderon recently released an exciting newdocumentary entitled ‘From Gangs To Gardens’ which chronicles Ietef Vita’s progression from gang member to organic urban gardener, heading up the Eastside Growers Collective.

“I am more than what you see” ~Ietef Vita

Vita is a hip hop yogi, educator, midwife, emcee, deejay, youth advocate, and seeker of self sustainable life. He started the gardenproject to heal his neighborhood. “In order for us to see environmental improvement we must begin with the health of ourselves and individuals.”

An oasis in a food desert in Northeast Denver, CO, this project focuses on healthy, organic food. Each plant in the garden is purposeful, putting into themes that are specific to the health disparities found in this community being one of low-income and people of color.

Cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and respiratory challenges are rampant in the Northeast Denver neighborhood. This project was designed to focus on collaboration, utilizing the resources of existing organizations, businesses and individuals.

Vita uses music and the hip hop culture when he speaks, with the goal of motivating young people to participate in the food activist movement, while educating them on the importance of healthy eating, and growing your own food to ensure food security.

In the film, Vita (invited, along with wife Alkemia [pictured below], to the White House to rep for Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move campaign) quips: “Tribalism is ingrained in us. We’re supposed to rep our hoods, our community. But when it becomes violent, when itbecomes destructive, that’s why I realized that enough of this has happened.”

To watch the entire video, please click here!

Source: Black Going Vegan