ATLANTA — Atlanta artists EARTHGANG, known for their southern-fried brand of Hip-hop, teamed up with Atlanta Public Schools to create a community garden at Jean Childs Young Middle School.
EARTHGANG’s members, Olu and WowGr8, are products of Atlanta Public Schools. They met on a ninth grade field trip while attending Benjamin E. Mays High School. The group was formed not long after and they have been on a steady rise ever since.
Being from Atlanta, and being a Hip-hop duo, they often are compared to Atlanta’s most famous duo, OutKast.
EARTHGANG’S most recent endeavor is working with APS to help provide fresh fruits and vegetables for a community in southwest Atlanta. This area can be described as a food desert, lacking easy access to fresh and organic produce.
“It’s nearly impossible to focus on education, mental health and financial stability when you don’t have the basic necessities of proper food, shelter and protection,” Olu said. “This project is a gift to future generations.”
The announcement about the garden couldn’t have fallen on a better day, Earth Day 2021.
TRENDING STORIES
- President Biden, Dr. Jill Biden coming to Atlanta area next week
- UGA student charged with cyberstalking on Instagram may have more victims, Feds say
- Georgia native blasts off to International Space Station aboard SpaceX rocket
This project is something that the community will be able to enjoy for many years, the musicians said.
“Sustainable living grows more important with each new generation,” WowGr8 said. “Promoting agriculture to youth is essential for changing the scope of what our community considers acceptable nourishment.”
Normally, it’s the job of educators to plant the seeds of knowledge into their students, but now the planting done by the students will literally feed their community.
Students at Young Middle School reported food insecurity to be one of the biggest barriers to their success in a 2019 student survey.
“Young Middle School is grateful to EARTHGANG for their commitment to making the Young Middle School Community Garden a reality. Via this garden, students will be provided hands-on learning and problem-solving opportunities, increased environmental awareness and frequent occasions to build strong connections to their community,” Principal Ronald Garlington said.
Cox Media Group
