Black Men Flower Project blossoms in Chicago
Subject
Black Men Flower Project; Chicago; John Caleb Pendleton
Description
Florist John Caleb Pendleton is helping Black men bloom one arrangement at a time.
“This is important because most Black men don’t receive flowers until they can’t smell them,” said Pendleton, who owns Planks and Pistils.
He’s partnering with the Black Men Flower Project to give Black men their flowers.
“I know how important it is when another Black man sees me and encourages me,” Pendleton said.
Black Men Flower Project founder Robert Washington-Vaughns desperately needed encouragement years ago when he hit rock bottom.
“I have had my own mental health journey and the things that helped me kind of progress through that were nature, art and community,” he said.
And the seed was planted.
“Having plants in your house boosts your self-esteem,” Washington-Vaughns said.
While living in Ohio, the Chicago native tested out the idea on a friend.
“I thought I would start with somebody that I thought would be like the most receptive to it. And he was just like very weirded out at first, slowly but gradually very accepting,” Washington-Vaughns said.
Creator
Source
https://abc7chicago.com/black-men-florist-flower-project-free-flowers/12767350/
Publisher
abc7chicago.com
File
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- Record last revised
- September 23, 2026
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