Greg Francis - Just Harvest: The Story of How Black Farmers Won the Largest Civil Rights Case against the U.S. Government

Just Harvest

The Story of How Black Farmers Won the Largest Civil Rights Case Against the U.S. Government

Greg A. Francis

Foreword by MIKE ESPY, Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture

Just Harvest:

The Story of How Black Farmers Won the Largest Civil Rights Case

Against the U.S. Government

Copyright 2021 by Gregorio A. Francis All rights reserved.

No part of this book shall be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, magnetic, and photographic, including photocopying, recording or by information storage and retrieval system, without prior written permission of the publisher.

No patent liability is assumed with respect to the use of the information contained herein. Although every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher and author assume no responsibility for errors and omissions. Neither is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the use of information contained herein.

Published by Forefront Books.

Jacket photograph: ClassicStock / Alamy Stock Photo

Cover Design by Bruce Gore, Gore Studio Inc.

Interior Design by Bill Kersey, Kersey Graphics

ISBN: 978-1-948677-80-6

ISBN: 978-1-948677-81-3 (e-Book)

I WOULD FIRST LIKE TO thank and acknowledge the hand of God in my life. I know that I have been put in places and been allowed to have certain experiences only by His grace, and I want to acknowledge and thank Him for that.

Next, I would like to thank my parents.

To my mother, Annette Thompson: You are a force of nature. Your determination, love, and encouragement throughout the years has meant everything to me. As the song lyrics go, You are the wind beneath my wings.

To my stepfather, John Thompson, who has now passed: They say that fatherhood is a job with delayed gratification. Thank you for taking on that effort and that commitment. Thank you also for being a strict disciplinarian. I hated squaring my room away; however, now I recognize that you were merely teaching me discipline and order, which has been important to me throughout my life.

To my late dad, Enoes Francis: Thank you always loving me and sacrificing your happiness for mine. You are greatly missed and thought of often.

To my deceased grandmother and grandfather, who gave me vision, and who had big dreams for me and all of the members of their family: Your encouragement, your examples, and your prayers are certainly appreciated.

To my wife, Keisha: Your undying love and commitment to me and to our family is unmatched. I thank you for your encouragement. I thank you for challenging me. But most of all, I thank you for the support and care that you give our children.

To Grier and Rio: You are my reason for being. You are my muses in life. Everything I do is for you and I hope this book is a constant reminder of my commitment to you, but also of the commitment that you have to society to do good in your lifetime.

To my sisters, Pamela, Kathia, and Kimberly: Thank you for all your love and support. I know that I have three warriors in my corner at any moment in time and I appreciate you being there for me.

To H. Scott Bates, my former law partner, friend, and mentor: I thank you for your commitment to me and your belief in my vision. When things got difficult or werent necessarily going my wayand when others had their doubtsyou encouraged and supported me. Most of all, you allowed me to finish this project in a way that has forever changed my life.

To Angelia: Thank you for being present. Present for the highs and lows, for the strategy sessions, for the consternations, and ultimately, resolution. Your loyalty and dedication not only to this project, but to my vision of what a lawyer and law firm should be, have been critical to my success.

To John Morgan, my former partner: Thank you for the STAGE, the opportunities will never be forgotten. Thank you to Scott Weinstein and Andrew Meyer, my former partners; your legal brilliance and brief writing abilities assured us a spot at the table. No one saw us coming.

To Mike Espy, who is really responsible for this historic event: You are a selfless man, surely ahead of your time. Thank you for working with me and giving me advice in this case and in life.

To Mark Hayes: You were a complete pain in my ass throughout this editorial process, but I thank you for your encouragement, for your vision, and for your commitment to the success of this project and my law firm. And to Jason Schmidt and the entire team at Platform Creators, thank you for your dedicated work and creativity which continues to amaze me.

To my law partner, Joe Osborne: You gave me an opportunity when opportunities were scarce. You chose me to be a member of a law firm, not knowing that 25 years after completing my summer clerkship there we would begin another journey together as partners in this crusade to serve the underserved and to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. I love you, brother.

To Hank Sanders, co-lead counsel in this case and my mentor: You are an example of exactly what is meant when it is said, God will put people in your lives at the right time and the right place. Your words of encouragement, your restoration of history, what you have been through on your journey to become a lawyer, and in all your work to serve your community have taught me to be a better person, a better lawyer, and a better man. You helped me to understand the commitment I haveand that we all have as lawyersto pursue justice. And to his lovely wife, Rose, who provided me with perspective and encouragement.

To Andy Marks, co-lead counsel in this case: Thank you for your example, for your commitment to the farmers, and for seeking justice. Your determination to see those who are underserved or underrepresented, or who have no voice, has been tremendous, and I thank you for continuing to work with me and Hank in finding further solutions for Black farmers.

To Jim Farin and Eric Sanchez: Eric, Jim, you brought order and discipline to the case and a commitment to seeing it through to the end. Thank you for your partnership, for your dedication, and for bringing this case to a successful resolution. And to the mad scientist in you, Eric, thank you for all the numbers work and the research you did. Your efforts were integral to the success of this case. Your evaluation of where the potential claimants were, and when and where we should hold the various meetings, were key to ensuring that the most eligible participants had an opportunity to have legal advice in filing their claims.

To my best friend, Renaldo Garcia: Thank you for your belief in me and your confidence in my ability to get ahead and to do well. Thank you, too, for the use of your vehicle throughout law school to get me back and forth to class. I know it was a sacrifice for you then; however, you never complained or mentioned it. You have my gratitude.

To my friend Tony Glover, whom I have known from childhood and who has been with me at every significant step Ive taken in my career: Thank you for your commitment. Thank you for your willingness to believe in me. And thank you for your support of me. I hope to provide the same for you.

Thank you to Omar Nelson, Chris Espy, Abraham Gates, and Courtney Cockrell: Your hard work, dedication, and commitment to seeing that the farmers who have been aggrieved were given the best opportunity to present their case. Your investment of time, effort, and passion made all the difference in this case.