The United States Department of Agriculture will pay a historic $2.2 billion to Black farmers as compensation for decades of discrimination in lending. The National Black Farmers Association helped secure the compensation after years of lawsuits and other actions. Approximately 43,000 Black farmers are expected to receive settlements, some of up to half a million dollars each.
John Boyd, president of the National Black Farmers Association, spoke with YES! Senior Editor Sonali Kolhatkar on YES! Presents: Rising Up With Sonali about systemic discrimination against Black farmers and what else is needed from the federal government.