Bethel Towers Community Garden

Overview

Before Midtown Detroit began its wave of gentrification, Dr. Denguhlanga Julia Kapilango Divine was invited to launch a community garden at Bethel Towers Apartments and Townhomes, developed by Bethel AME Church. Partnering with Bethel’s Head Trustee and Senior Pastor, she brought together faith, residents, and citywide resources to build a living model of food sovereignty.

Building the Garden

• Secured funding support for 50/50 soil and resident needs.

• Joined Keep Growing Detroit’s Garden Resource Program for seeds and tools.

• Completed the Keep Growing Detroit Urban Roots Farmers Certification Program, deepening skills in sustainable urban farming.

• Gathered in-kind donations and volunteer labor from both Keep Growing Detroit and Bethel Towers residents.

Community Volunteers

The garden was sustained by diverse hands:

• Senior citizens

• Wheelchair-bound adults

• Recovering addicts

• Families and single parents

Together, they turned vacant space into fertile ground for community pride.

What We Grew

• Collard greens

• Purple kale

• Broccoli

• Parsley

• Tomatoes

• Basil

• Hot peppers

Celebrating the Harvest

At the end of the season, the garden hosted a Community Day Celebration:

• Certificates of appreciation for volunteers.

• Backpack giveaway sponsored by Cleveland L. Heard.

• Distribution of the community harvest to all attendees.

Impact

The Bethel Towers Community Garden became more than a food source — it was a hub of resilience, faith, and healing. It demonstrated that food sovereignty is not just about vegetables; it is about dignity, community ownership, and collaboration across generations.