Reel and Meal at the New Deal

Reel and Meal is a monthly film series at the New Deal Cafe exploring vital environmental, animal rights, and social justice issues. Admission to the film is always free, sponsored by several Greenbelt community organizations. Contributions are gladly accepted to cover each month’s donation to a non-profit organization.

Reel and Meal events are in-person (limited seating) and online via Zoom.  Each month registration links will be posted here.  You can also reach out to Reel and Meal at

Date: Third Monday of every month
Time: The free film starts at 7pm.
Dinner: Dinners are available at the café after 4pm with several plant-based options.
Carryout: The Co-Op Supermarket Meatless Monday meals can be picked up from the “grab and go” for Zoom at-home viewing after 11am.
Location: Online or at the New Deal Cafe – 113 Centerway in historic Greenbelt, MD
Public transportation: The cafe is accessible by Metro Buses G12, 13, 14 and 16 from the Greenbelt Metro station.

August 21, 2023

TraCes of the Trade

DeWolf family members and Ghanaian Beatrice Manu at a river ceremony in Ghana where captured Africans were brought for a last bath. (photo by Amishadai Sackitey)

Traces of the Trade: A Story from the Deep North follows the journey of Katrina Browne as she discovers that although her 19th century ancestors lived in the North, they ran a major international slave-trading business. She and nine fellow descendants set off to visit family properties that had been involved in the Triangle Trade: from Rhode Island to slave forts in Ghana to sugar plantation ruins in Cuba. Step by step, they uncover the vast extent of Northern complicity in slavery while also stumbling through the minefield of contemporary race relations. “Traces of the Trade” offers powerful new perspectives on the black/white divide and was an official selection of the 2008 Sundance Film Festival.

The film is hosted by the Greenbelt Bahá’í Community to encourage community conversation related to the work of the recently-appointed Greenbelt Reparations Commission. The 21-member Commission was appointed by the Greenbelt City Council after citizen approval by referendum in the November 2021 Greenbelt city elections. Audience members will be invited to share their reflections and ideas after the film.

The film begins at 7 p.m. live in the New Deal Café, and is also broadcast over Zoom.. Registration for virtual viewing via Zoom is required – please use this link: https://tinyurl.com/ReelNMealAUG21.

Café attendees may order dinner from the New Deal Café’s full dinner menu, which includes several vegan options. There will be a drawing for a $10 voucher to cover in-person meal expenses.

The Reel and Meal at the New Deal is a monthly film series focused on environmental, social justice and animal rights issues, presented by the Utopia Film Festival and the Prince George’s County Peace and Justice Coalition. This month’s film is sponsored by the Greenbelt Bahá’í Community. For more information see the Reel and Meal Facebook page: (www.facebook.com/reelandmealNDC) or contact Jim Fischer at .

Trailer