2026 May 16 Abra Lee Conquer the Soil

Today I had the pleasure of attending a fabulous class, Conquer the Soil: Love Stories of Black History and Horticulture, by horticulturist and historian Abra Lee at the Cleveland Botanical Garden. She braided together connections of prominent Black American figures to their horticultural societies and local Cleveland horticultural heroes. The vibrant love stories of horticultural successes of the Black community were brought to life through Lee’s artful slides.

Effie Lee Newsome’s poetry intertwined art, the natural world, spirituality and pride. Horticulture is more than just the science of growing plants.

Personally, I found this to be a refreshing reminder of what horticulture can be. For many post-Civil War Black Americans, horticulture was a way to build wealth and financial independence. The horticultural societies and colleges that were formed were ways to build cultural status as well. 

Horticulture was a way for Black Americans to move up in society and even combat historical oppression.

The biggest takeaway for me was what I sometimes feel is missing from our daily horticulture work. There is a science to it, there is an art to it, but there is also a spirit and a culture to the way we work with plants. While I continue to learn horticultural science, I want to embrace creativity and acknowledge its significance as part of our shared culture. We can all learn this skill through all of the creative works of Black horticulturists including their poetry, activism, and other works of art. The Black horticulturists of these stories took their art form seriously, uplifted their communities and left lasting legacies on history. Abra Lee is both honoring the past and keeping the spirit alive through her own work in the horticultural field. Well done!

Gladiola Garden was a 1940 children’s book that written by horticulturalist Effie Lee Newsome and illustrated by the Harlem Renaissance illustrator Lois Mailou Jones.

Everyone in attendance was excited for Abra Lee’s forthcoming book. She says it’ll be a historical narrative, and I can tell it’ll be awesome!