BLACK HEALTH MATTERS

For many, going vegan represents a huge step toward improved health and longevity. For Black vegans, it’s not as simple.

African Americans are more likely to suffer from heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. And today, even with a whole-foods, plant-based diet, many must battle a unique and insidious set of dangers not faced by their white counterparts, including inadequate access to resources and healthful food, financial and institutional inequity, and threats to mental health. But for all these challenges, the outlook is not bleak. VegNews Associate Editor Richard Bowie sat with five inspiring Black vegans who are changing the game and making strides to help their communities’ well-being during a time when it’s needed most.

Angela Means on Nutritional Wellness

In 1994, when Angela Means walked onto the set of the Ice Cube and Chris Tucker film Friday as Felisha, she had no idea that 25 years later, people would still be invoking her character’s name.

But nowadays, thanks to her vegan soul-food truck Jackfruit Café, that popular “Bye, Felicia” has been replaced with “Hi, Angela!” as she feeds loyal customers ginger-turmeric cabbage salads, Impossible meat nachos, and her signature jackfruit tacos.

“[Serving this food] has been the most rewarding and