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How can businesses create sustainable products while supporting historically marginalized communities? Joining us to share the transformative work being done within the industry is returning guest, Tameka Peoples, Founder of Seed2Shirt. As the first Black woman-owned, ethically produced blank t-shirt company, Seed2Shirt connects cotton farmers and textile workers to a regenerative, community-driven system.

This episode explores how collaborative networks and leaders like Tameka are transforming the cotton industry by addressing systemic barriers and fostering sustainable practices. Tameka discusses the company’s innovative programs, including the BLACKollective, which pools resources for Black cotton farmers, and a USDA-backed climate-smart initiative promoting sustainable agriculture.

From launching new products like US-made yarn to collaborating with educational institutions to build a sustainable workforce, Tameka highlights the milestones that are reshaping the textile industry. Tune in to discover how Seed2Shirt is driving a next-economy model rooted in equity, sustainability, and connection!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Background on Tameka Peoples and Seed2Shirt. [0:00:26]

• An update on developments at Seed2Shirt, including the BLACKollective initiative. [0:03:59]

• The Peoples Freedom Farm mission and how Seed2Shirt is prioritizing sustainability, connection, and education. [0:13:53]

• Seed2Shirt’s partnerships, the power of supportive networks, and how to drive better consumer buying decisions and farming practices. [0:26:22]

• Challenges faced by farmers and communities and how you can support them. [0:33:17]

• Recognizing efforts in sustainable textiles and the Black Fiber & Textile Network. [0:36:00]

• Closing thoughts and where you can learn more about (and support) Seed2Shirt. [0:38:38]

Quotes:

“The BLACKollective is our way of pooling our cotton farmers together here in the US, as well as providing them support and resources.” — @Seed2Shirt [0:05:59]

“Access to capital was the number one challenge of Black farmers in general, but specifically for Black cotton farmers, who are very, very few here in the US.” — @Seed2Shirt [0:06:14]

“We do small batch t-shirts. We never want to be a part of the fast fashion problem. We do intentional production of those shirts.” — @Seed2Shirt [0:10:56]

“At the end of the day, we are connected humans. We’re all a tapestry in what the earth will look like now and in the future, so we have a very profound responsibility to address those connections.” — @Seed2Shirt [0:14:31]

“If we want a new industry in the US, then we have to build it. What does the educational community look like when we do that?” — @Seed2Shirt [0:24:13]

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Tameka Peoples on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/tameka-peoples-3824a510/

Seed2Shirt — https://seed2shirt.com/ 

Seed2Shirt on Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/Seed2Shirt 

Seed2Shirt on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/seed2shirt/ 

Seed2Shirt on X — https://x.com/seed2shirt
Seed2Shirt Farmer Enrichment Program — https://seed2shirt.com/fep/

Seed2Shirt: The BLACKollective — https://seed2shirt.com/blackollective/
Donate to BLACKollective — https://seed2shirt.com/stewardship/

Peoples Freedom Pilot Farm — https://seed2shirt.com/initiatives/

Tameka Peoples: Seed2Shirt — https://www.lifteconomy.com/blog/tameka-peoples
Black Fiber & Textile Network — https://www.blackfibernetwork.com/

Fibershed — https://fibershed.org/

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