RTDNAC 2021 Podcast Award - CoastLine: "Our ancestors were slaves." But this NC farming family learned how to thrive and they're passing those lessons on to the next generation

WHQR | By Rachel Lewis Hilburn,

Published July 21, 2021 at 1:07 PM EDT

Ms. Cecile Keaton Bryant and Ms. Earnestine Keaton on their family farm.

It’s hard enough to keep a small family farm going. But add to that the challenges of systemic and environmental racism -- and the Keatons’ accomplishment becomes even less likely. But it’s their commitment to keeping their land, farming it, and teaching the next generation that has protected their family legacy.

Rachel Lewis Hilburn

Rachel hosts and produces CoastLine, an award-winning hourlong conversation featuring artists, humanitarians, scholars, and innovators in North Carolina. The show airs Wednesdays at noon and Sundays at 4 pm on 91.3 FM WHQR Public Media. It's also available as a podcast; just search CoastLine WHQR. You can reach her at rachellh@whqr.org.

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Rachel Keith

Rachel is a graduate of UNCW's Master of Public Administration program, specializing in Urban and Regional Policy and Planning. She also received a Master of Education and two Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science and French Language & Literature from NC State University. She served as WHQR's News Fellow from 2017-2019. Contact her by email: rkeith@whqr.org or on Twitter @RachelKWHQR

See stories by Rachel Keith