The Good Food Revolution: Growing Healthy Food, People, and Communities

Out of all of Allen’s contributions, from raising worms for organic compost to organizing a community youth corps, which do you think is his most significant and why?

Allen’s professional career has run the gamut, from professional basketball player to corporate marketing to urban farming. How has he been able to succeed in such diverse fields, and what was he able to bring to each profession that enabled him to do so well?

The reader is not able to get to know Cyndy, Allen’s wife, as well as other individuals who work with Allen in a more professional context. What impressions do you have of Cyndy? Provide textual evidence that supports your ideas.

The story of DeShawn Parker is a particularly poignant one. How would you describe his relationship with Allen and what has he gained from Allen?

Which of Allen’s personality characteristics do you think benefited him the most as he toiled to make Growing Power into the success story it is today?

Allen reflects deeply on his family history throughout this book. Who do you think had the most meaningful influence on him and why? Support your response with quotes from the book.

Do you find this book to be a work of nonfiction that focuses on political themes like race and culture, or is the book better categorized as a memoir? Identify your criteria for each genre in your response and explain your answer according to these criteria.

In 2012, Allen was the commencement speaker at the graduation ceremony of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Write a version of his speech as you imagine him to have given it, complete with commentary on the meaning of an education, advice to graduates, and messages of encouragement.