On the heels of the #amplifymelanatedvoices initiative, we take pause to reflect on the national and international conversation happening around the Black Lives Matter movement. We hear excerpts from two episodes with two beautiful Black Plant People, Christopher from PlantKween and Colah from Black in the Garden, share inspiring stories about how the Plant Community rallied to raise money and support the Black Lives Matters Movement, hear what Maria and Bloom and Grow's commitments are and end with a special poem and time for reflection.  Featured  Voices, Resources and Inspirational Stories of the Plant Community Stepping Up to Support Black Lives Matter Follow Christopher AKA PlantKween on Instagram: @plantkween Follow Colah and Black in the Garden: on Instagram @blackinthegarden  and subscribe on iTunes: Black in the Garden Podcast Ross Gay: A Small Needful Fact  https://www.rossgay.net/about Summer Rayne Oakes #PlantOneForward resource for Black Owned Plant Shops - this can be added to, so many sure your or your favorite black owned plant shops are on this list!  Betsy Begonia's US Black Owned Plant Related Businesses List - you can also email her to add others onto the list  Permacrafters created a list of 50 Black Voices in the Green Space to follow under the following categories: Herbalism, Environmental Justice, Climate Activism, Outdoors, Ecology, Vegan, Sustainable Living, Farming and Food Justice,  Sustainable Fashion, Filmmaking and more  #plantingforprogress was an initiative launched Agatha Isabel or @plant.ma on IG,  to support BLM, and has been extended to also focus on the local NYC community of Black, Latinx, POC, LGBTQ+ including @theforesightproject @audrelordeproject @innocenceproject.   It started when Agatha auctioned off a Philodendron Pink Princess she had for Black Lives Matter and ACLU Nationwide on her personal account. Upon hearing this, local plant shop Nelly's Flowers and Plants (@nellysflowershop) donated 12 plants to her cause, which she then rallied some of her plant friends to auction off on their accounts (@plantblerd @thehoodbotanist @siloliage @plantmepaul @welcometothejunglehome @felinejungle @thejungleupstairs @plant.ma ). This auctioning went throughout the week and has now raised over SIX times the original amount of her PPP and that number is still growing! This seed of an idea that Agatha had to raise money on her personal account turned into an incredible cross account, cross plant community supported movement that has raised an amazing amount of money for 3 national organizations and 3 local NYC community organizations. And it's not stopping here, follow @plantingforprogress on instagram to follow more auctions, as new people are donating plants to be auctioned everyday. They are planning on having monthly auctions of rare collector plants for good causes, so give them a follow if you're interested.   Rachel Cargle and her free 30 day #dothework course   What is Bloom and Grow Doing: - Doing the work: continuing to learn about the system injustice against black people in the country and using our privilege to help this cause.  - Donated to Black Lives Matter, Color of Change, The New Georgia Project, Showing Up for Racial Justice and Teens for Food Justice and continuing to seek out organizations that support ending racial injustice and food insecurity  - Finding diverse voices to interview for the podcast - Vote   This is a movement not a moment.    Follow Christopher AKA PlantKween Instagram: @plantkween   Follow Colah and Black in the Garden: iTunes: Black in the Garden Podcast IG: @blackinthegarden    Follow Maria and Bloom and Grow Radio: Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon! Instagram and Facebook: @BloomandGrowRadio Subscribe to the Bloom and Grow Youtube Show! /Bloomandgrowradio Website: www.bloomandgrowradio.com Join the (free) Garden Club: www.bloomandgrowradio.com/garden-club Music used is entitled "Fresh Fallen Snow" - composed by Chris