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How A Former Gang Member Became A Vegan Chef

Posted on January 21, 2016 By 114 Comments on How A Former Gang Member Became A Vegan Chef

Recently, I read the story of this likable young man called Ietef Vita which is really inspiring. It is about a former gang member who has become not only an organic gardener but also a vegan chef. His approach is even more exciting as he uses Hip-Hop music to motivate young adults to reclaim mother earth by teaching them how to become an organic gardener and how to develop healthy diet habits. He has been so successful that he has even become an award winning international recording artist. His so-called “food movement” started in his hometown Denver and has become internationally popular by now. Take time to read his story and to watch the entire video. Definitely, it will inspire you, too!

“Filmmaker JLove Calderon recently released an exciting new documentary entitled ‘From Gangs To Gardens’ which chronicles Ietef Vita’s progression from gang member to organic urban gardener, heading up the Eastside Growers Collective.

“I am more than what you see” ~Ietef Vita

Vita is a hip hop yogi, educator, midwife, emcee, deejay, youth advocate, and seeker of self sustainable life. He started the garden project to heal his neighborhood. “In order for us to see environmental improvement we must begin with the health of ourselves and individuals.”

An oasis in a food desert in Northeast Denver, CO, this project focuses on healthy, organic food. Each plant in the garden is purposeful, putting into themes that are specific to the health disparities found in this community being one of low-income and people of color.

going vegan health benefits

Cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and respiratory challenges are rampant in the Northeast Denver neighborhood. This project was designed to focus on collaboration, utilizing the resources of existing organizations, businesses and individuals.

Vita uses music and the hip hop culture when he speaks, with the goal of motivating young people to participate in the food activist movement, while educating them on the importance of healthy eating, and growing your own food to ensure food security.

In the film, Vita (invited, along with wife Alkemia [pictured below], to the White House to rep for Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move campaign) quips: “Tribalism is ingrained in us. We’re supposed to rep our hoods, our community. But when it becomes violent, when it becomes destructive, that’s why I realized that enough of this has happened.”

To watch the entire video, please click here!

Source: Black Going Vegan

 

Vegan Topics Tags:blacks going vegan

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Comments (114) on “How A Former Gang Member Became A Vegan Chef”

  1. Angelica Fernandez says:
    January 21, 2016 at 9:59 pm

    Steve Fernandez

    Reply
  2. Maria Barahona says:
    January 21, 2016 at 10:03 pm

    Darnell Armoogam

    Reply
  3. Jackie Dillon says:
    January 21, 2016 at 10:47 pm

    Forest Dillon

    Reply
  4. Kristi Easter says:
    January 21, 2016 at 10:52 pm

    Joshua Coburn Davey John Heller

    Reply
  5. Kristi Easter says:
    January 21, 2016 at 10:53 pm

    Liz Bennett

    Reply
  6. Kristi Easter says:
    January 21, 2016 at 10:54 pm

    So glad to hear these stories

    Reply
  7. Joshua Coburn says:
    January 21, 2016 at 11:36 pm

    So great!!!!

    Reply
  8. Vanessa Pierson Vanderhoof says:
    January 22, 2016 at 1:36 am

    Keep up the great work!!

    Reply
  9. Dana Pace Shaw says:
    January 22, 2016 at 1:45 am

    John Shaw

    Reply
  10. Danielle Haché says:
    January 22, 2016 at 2:32 am

    Wow! Gotta watch that documentary. I love it

    Reply
  11. Renate Wobig says:
    January 22, 2016 at 2:52 pm

    Stay clean eat clean it’s a reward

    Reply
  12. Jen Steele says:
    January 23, 2016 at 6:49 pm

    Cassandra Rowell did u actually read this

    Reply
  13. Cassandra Rowell says:
    January 23, 2016 at 6:56 pm

    A few sentences hahaha

    Reply
  14. Jen Steele says:
    January 23, 2016 at 7:00 pm

    Cassandra Rowell good grief

    Reply
  15. Jeannette Cazenave says:
    January 23, 2016 at 7:22 pm

    Way to go!!! Amazing!

    Reply
  16. Stephanie Sse says:
    January 23, 2016 at 7:45 pm

    Michelle Stafford, did you see this??

    Reply
  17. Michelle Lee Atkins says:
    January 23, 2016 at 8:34 pm

    Kasey Brown ❤️❤️❤️❤️

    Reply
  18. Valerie Flanagan says:
    January 23, 2016 at 8:47 pm

    Thank You!

    Reply
  19. Theresa Hall says:
    January 23, 2016 at 9:08 pm

    Caitlin Elise Hall

    Reply
  20. Shannon Brinkley says:
    January 23, 2016 at 9:19 pm

    Stanzani Andre

    Reply
  21. Ruby Friedman says:
    January 23, 2016 at 10:06 pm

    ♥️

    Reply
  22. Marva Bediako says:
    January 23, 2016 at 11:14 pm

    From slaughtering meat to no meat! Hey now

    Reply
  23. Daryln Swaim says:
    January 24, 2016 at 12:29 am

    Nathaniel Ashmore

    Reply
  24. Monica McManus Woll says:
    January 24, 2016 at 1:01 am

    Love seeing the food movement growing, especially in the food deserts of our urban areas! Frank Woll check this out.

    Reply
  25. Maria Euge Faisal says:
    January 24, 2016 at 4:11 am

    Great story!!

    Reply
  26. Kasey Brown says:
    January 24, 2016 at 5:06 am

    Thats dope

    Reply
  27. Kima Humphrey says:
    January 24, 2016 at 6:21 pm

    Kayla Humphrey

    Reply
  28. Zanice Bond says:
    January 24, 2016 at 8:22 pm

    Andrea Bond Johnson

    Reply
  29. Jasmine Davis says:
    January 25, 2016 at 1:37 am

    Logan Singleton 🙂

    Reply
  30. Shay Orta says:
    January 25, 2016 at 5:16 am

    Curtiss C Note Dixon

    Reply
  31. Debbie Flores says:
    January 25, 2016 at 3:05 pm

    Tara Aaron Durga

    Reply
  32. Arasia AlkemiaEarth says:
    January 25, 2016 at 6:11 pm

    Thank you sis

    Reply
  33. Arasia AlkemiaEarth says:
    January 25, 2016 at 6:12 pm

    Salute to my husband in this article! Ietef Cavem Vita

    Reply
  34. Jennifer Sky Walker says:
    January 25, 2016 at 6:18 pm

    You’re welcome sis

    Reply
  35. Ashley Alvord says:
    January 25, 2016 at 8:04 pm

    Erin Marie

    Reply
  36. Lucky Pierce says:
    January 26, 2016 at 3:42 am

    Kenneth Hill

    Reply
  37. Doreen Davis says:
    January 26, 2016 at 3:43 am

    David Davis

    Reply
  38. Aneta Bernard says:
    January 26, 2016 at 5:08 am

    love it!!!

    Reply
  39. Kina Lilly says:
    January 26, 2016 at 5:22 am

    Lio Zapata

    Reply
  40. Claudia Ornelas says:
    January 26, 2016 at 6:48 am

    Laura Heitkamp

    Reply
  41. Meagan Morris says:
    January 26, 2016 at 7:50 am

    Josephine Morris check this out!

    Reply
  42. Hannah Hugeback says:
    January 26, 2016 at 4:08 pm

    Zach Brown

    Reply
  43. Tiffany Jade Laderoute says:
    January 26, 2016 at 6:35 pm

    Stephanie Erickson

    Reply
  44. Aleisja Henry says:
    January 26, 2016 at 10:03 pm

    Pat B-adyal

    Reply
  45. Anna Archer says:
    January 27, 2016 at 5:10 am

    Avery Balliette

    Reply
  46. Dani Grycowski says:
    January 27, 2016 at 9:57 am

    BriceJessie

    Reply
  47. November Love says:
    January 28, 2016 at 6:09 am

    Chelsea Shelton

    Reply
  48. November Love says:
    January 28, 2016 at 6:09 am

    Justin Shelton

    Reply
  49. Sarah Dickinson says:
    January 28, 2016 at 9:33 am

    Remi Bolitho

    Reply
  50. Remi Bolitho says:
    January 28, 2016 at 9:33 am

    U

    Reply
  51. Sarah Dickinson says:
    January 28, 2016 at 9:33 am

    me!

    Reply
  52. Anna Bolam says:
    January 28, 2016 at 11:19 am

    Annie Villalta-Burgett
    You could stop being a gang member

    Reply
  53. Annie Villalta-Burgett says:
    January 28, 2016 at 12:20 pm

    Finally I can quite the gang

    Reply
  54. Daphne Martin says:
    January 28, 2016 at 3:50 pm

    John Lewis

    Reply
  55. Marimar Princess Huizar says:
    January 28, 2016 at 3:51 pm

    Estefana Lazcano

    Reply
  56. Donna Briggs says:
    January 28, 2016 at 6:53 pm

    What does being a former gang member have anything to do with him being a chef?

    Reply
  57. Jessica Marie says:
    January 29, 2016 at 12:38 am

    I think it shows a total transformation of character from not caring about life to preserving life. I find it very inspiring and encouraging.

    Reply
  58. Mandie Ross-Warneck says:
    January 29, 2016 at 1:57 am

    It’s not just chef, it’s vegan chef. That says a lot.

    Reply
  59. Abby Landa says:
    January 29, 2016 at 1:59 am

    Amber Forquer

    Reply
  60. Amber Forquer says:
    January 29, 2016 at 2:03 am

    That is SO awesome

    Reply
  61. Mirela Duka says:
    January 29, 2016 at 10:31 am

    Good man

    Reply
  62. Charlie Chive says:
    January 30, 2016 at 2:59 am

    Dana Rose

    Reply
  63. Roxanne Rose Thalatha says:
    January 30, 2016 at 3:09 am

    Evangelina Guajardo

    Reply
  64. Evangelina Guajardo says:
    January 30, 2016 at 3:13 am

    Hehe his name is vita

    Reply
  65. Rebecca Louise Hicks says:
    January 30, 2016 at 4:38 am

    Bravooooo

    Reply
  66. Rachel Whitehurst says:
    January 30, 2016 at 5:05 am

    Christine Firko

    Reply
  67. Rachel Whitehurst says:
    January 30, 2016 at 5:07 am

    It also shows compassion when u are a vegan. It goes way deeper than just the diet . It shows u care for how these animals are being tortured and killed.

    Reply
  68. Christine Firko says:
    January 30, 2016 at 5:08 am

    Yep Rachel Whitehurst i know about him, great story!

    Reply
  69. Rachel Whitehurst says:
    January 30, 2016 at 5:09 am

    Christine Firko, bless his heart

    Reply
  70. Marylyn Merrick says:
    January 30, 2016 at 5:44 pm

    KC Terrell Al Wilmer

    Reply
  71. Sheba Parker says:
    January 31, 2016 at 1:13 am

    Charles Parker

    Reply
  72. Meghan Jane says:
    January 31, 2016 at 4:33 am

    Brandon Steffens

    Reply
  73. Natasha Iotov says:
    January 31, 2016 at 5:09 am

    Adiel Izilov

    Reply
  74. Lia Blain says:
    January 31, 2016 at 5:51 am

    What does one have to do with the other?

    Reply
  75. Erica L. Windram says:
    January 31, 2016 at 7:38 am

    I think for some it is surprising that he came from a life of violence and crime to a life of non violence and compassion <3

    Reply
  76. Stephanie Munt says:
    January 31, 2016 at 8:06 am

    Matthew Page

    Reply
  77. Adiel Izilov says:
    January 31, 2016 at 8:13 am

    You

    Reply
  78. Lia Blain says:
    January 31, 2016 at 3:41 pm

    Oh. Lol, okay. I always get suspicous when people bring up that someone was a gang banger or prostitute or stripper or whatever. Just trying to understand the motive. That makes sense. Thanks.

    Reply
  79. Rochelle Thompson-Marshall says:
    January 31, 2016 at 5:08 pm

    Isit a film? Lucy ʚϊɞ Joose

    Reply
  80. Ely Segoviano says:
    February 1, 2016 at 7:10 am

    Ruby Garcia

    Reply
  81. Ruby Garcia says:
    February 1, 2016 at 7:21 am

    LOVE HIM

    Reply
  82. Gale Romolino says:
    February 1, 2016 at 8:45 am

    I think its because he is ok with killing people but draws the line at animals haha I love the Gold Chain.

    Reply
  83. Gale Romolino says:
    February 1, 2016 at 8:48 am

    New story: Former Child Molester now Vegan Chief…
    Is it still heart warming?

    Reply
  84. Savannah Lauritzen says:
    February 1, 2016 at 6:29 pm

    Comparing child molesters to gang members… why? Why can’t you just say “Wow good for this man who turned his life around?” Why couldn’t it be positive instead of negative. Maybe next time…

    Reply
  85. Gale Romolino says:
    February 1, 2016 at 6:37 pm

    Gang members recruit kids and kill innocent people while selling drugs to kids and everyone else.
    Im glad he could use the money he got from destroying other peoples life to open a nice restaurant, “WOW good for this man who turned his life around ”
    I see he still needs his Gold chain.

    Reply
  86. Gale Romolino says:
    February 1, 2016 at 6:37 pm

    Savannah Lauritzen Gang members recruit kids and kill innocent people while selling drugs to kids and everyone else.
    Im glad he could use the money he got from destroying other peoples life to open a nice restaurant, “WOW good for this man who turned his life around ”
    I see he still needs his Gold chain.

    Reply
  87. Gale Romolino says:
    February 1, 2016 at 6:55 pm

    Savannah Lauritzen Gang members recruit kids and kill innocent people while selling drugs to kids and everyone else.
    Im glad he could use the money he got from destroying other peoples life to open a nice restaurant, “WOW good for this man who turned his life around ”
    I see he still needs his Gold chain.

    Reply
  88. Suki Blue Fasano says:
    February 2, 2016 at 2:07 am

    Lauren Blue

    Reply
  89. Madison Olinger says:
    February 2, 2016 at 4:43 am

    weird, how’d they get this info about my life Josh Knight

    Reply
  90. Dawn Martin Scipio says:
    February 2, 2016 at 6:18 am

    Kudos!!!!!!

    Reply
  91. Arasia AlkemiaEarth says:
    February 2, 2016 at 8:20 am

    Gale Romolino Actually, he never did any of that. He grew up in a gang related community, and was involved as far as hanging out, and then decided it wasn’t for him. He doesn’t own a restaurant, not made any money doing “gang activity”. I know because he is my husband.

    Reply
  92. Arasia AlkemiaEarth says:
    February 2, 2016 at 8:21 am

    Yes. From Gangs to Gardens.

    Reply
  93. Gale Romolino says:
    February 2, 2016 at 8:25 am

    Arasia AlkemiaEarth Then you should talk to whoever wrote this because it says (How a Former Gand Member became a Vegan Chef)
    I was wrong about him opening the restaurant, my apologies.
    But the story calls him a Former Gang member..

    Reply
  94. Rochelle Thompson-Marshall says:
    February 2, 2016 at 9:02 am

    Thank you x

    Reply
  95. Kim Houillon says:
    February 2, 2016 at 11:39 am

    Alicia Brady Woods you see, Boeing vegan is son gangsta !

    Reply
  96. Alicia Brady Woods says:
    February 2, 2016 at 11:44 am

    Haha in that case….

    Reply
  97. VeganEmpress Scarlett says:
    February 2, 2016 at 12:01 pm

    We were born vegan get over it media the heck lol

    Reply
  98. Charlene Favorite says:
    February 2, 2016 at 2:06 pm

    Atum Dre

    Reply
  99. Lani Segura says:
    February 2, 2016 at 8:02 pm

    RAD

    Reply
  100. Ericka Artis says:
    February 2, 2016 at 11:35 pm

    Malik Manani

    Reply
  101. Chrissie Grech says:
    February 3, 2016 at 1:02 am

    Wonderful! !

    Reply
  102. Elizabeth Duran-Vargas says:
    February 3, 2016 at 2:18 am

    Jardiel Vargas

    Reply
  103. Jamila Maddox says:
    February 3, 2016 at 6:21 am

    His TED Talk was dope!

    Reply
  104. Jennifer Paul says:
    February 3, 2016 at 7:35 pm

    Will Paul

    Reply
  105. Sheree Frye Walters says:
    February 4, 2016 at 1:11 am

    ❤️

    Reply
  106. Laura Hasselbrink says:
    February 4, 2016 at 2:02 am

    Fantastic! We need more men like this on the planet!

    Reply
  107. Lili Arauz says:
    February 4, 2016 at 6:33 pm

    Magela Arauz-Zeidan Bryan Haase

    Reply
  108. Athena Buchanan says:
    February 5, 2016 at 6:25 pm

    Righteous!

    Reply
  109. Going Vegan - Notes from a Novice says:
    February 6, 2016 at 3:07 am

    Love it!

    Reply
  110. Karla Petersen says:
    August 25, 2016 at 11:50 pm

    God-Proud of you, Son! You are testament of overcoming obstacles. Praying you continue achieving MUCH, GOOD success! Blessings!

    Reply
  111. Carmelle Bachman says:
    December 1, 2016 at 1:37 am

    Love this

    Reply
  112. Anita DuCoffre says:
    December 1, 2016 at 4:06 pm

    Awesome!

    Reply
  113. Robin Dee Watson says:
    December 1, 2016 at 5:51 pm

    good man.

    Reply
  114. Carol Pickard says:
    December 13, 2016 at 9:42 am

    Wonderful

    Reply

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