Edible Activist

Join us for this episode as we welcome LaMonika Jones as the new director at DC Hunger Solutions. LaMonika shares her journey combating hunger in Washington, D.C., stressing the importance of avoiding silos in food and advocating for a comprehensive system approach. Our conversation explores the intersection of agriculture in her ambitious agenda, shedding light on the essence of ending hunger. La...

Step into the world of "The People's Market" with us in this episode! Meet the visionary founder, Brandon Starkes, who is reshaping the game with a subscription-based food delivery service sourcing from local black farms and artisans in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Join us for a lively conversation that takes you to Brandon's roots in Prince George's County, where a deep love for agriculture was nu...

Xavier's Top Recommended Reads for Black Food Organizers and Advocates: Black Rice by Judith A. Carney   Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler   In the Shadow of Slavery: Africa's Botanical Legacy in the Atlantic World by Judith A. Carney & Richard Nicholas Rosomoff   Healing Wisdom of Africa by Malinda Patrice Some   Of Water and the Spirit: Ritual, Magic and the Initiation in the Life of an...

In this episode, Tennessee native, Jarren Hill-Lockridge, also known as the "Woman from the Well '' shares her story and commitment to the Great Ward 8 in Southeast Washington, DC to prioritize health and wellness for the residents. As an advocate for her community, Jarren serves on the Ward 8 Health Council and also helped to build a green space project in Southeast centered around homegrown, loc...

Sweet July, featuring Brittney Bell Surrat: https://sweetjuly.com/editorial/to-save-her-familys-land-this-communications-professional-became-a-farmer/

*Heads up! This episode may get a little spicy with some colorful language—perfect for mature ears only* We are celebrating Women's History month with another episode of Cuzzin' Talk featuring a special guest and the original cousin - Chrissy Sheffey of Charismatic Creations. In this episode we celebrate the accomplishments of one another as creative-preneurs and growing together to make an impact...

*Heads up! This episode may get a little spicy with some colorful language—perfect for mature ears only* Remember Jay-Z's line "nobody wins when the family feuds" in the acclaimed 4:44 album? Well, when family fights over land it can get downright ugly! The cuzzin's Melissa L. Jones and Falani Spivey of Byrd's Nest Box dive right on in and open up about their personal challenges in attempting to a...

*Heads up! This episode gets a little spicy with some colorful language—perfect for mature ears only* Melissa L. Jones of the Edible Activist Podcast and Founder, Falani Spivey of Byrd's Nest Box kick off a series of new episodes called Cuzzin' Talk. Both having come from large families who hail from the South, the two always call each other cuzzin' jokingly and swap family stories. Listeners can...

Alexes Haggins, the Owner of Flowers by Alexes, spent a significant part of her childhood working at her dad's floral business on Upshur Street in Northwest, Washington, DC. The Washingtonian remembers being planted at the shop, surrounded by an abundance of flowers, wishing she was playing outside with her friends instead in their Uptown neighborhood. However, this is where Alexes would learn how...

Melissa sits down in an exclusive interview with Chris Riddick of Afro Beets - the first time Melissa is ever interviewed by a media platform (and a black one at that)! In this episode Chris taps into her origin story, unearths her Mississippi roots and childhood, talks challenges of being a creator, and all-things Edible Activist (her podcast) and health justice. Tune in! This episode was recorde...

In this episode we talk with Shanice Fleming, founder of Queenz Cut Flower Farm based in Troy, NY to discuss her floral business. She details her ten-year experience working as a chef, talks about resources needed to scale her business, and educates us on the flower business. To watch the live episode, subscribe to Food Talks N Color on YouTube! Like, comment and share:)

In this episode we catch up with Ronnie Webb, Founder of The Green Scheme (@thegreenscheme), on his team's latest project: Corner Water! They are on a mission to provide premium natural alkaline water to communities who don’t have equitable access and help youth learn the core pillars to social entrepreneurship. To watch the live episode, subscribe to Food Talks N Color on YouTube! Like, comment a...

Foraging while black, wild energy and agroforestry? You will hear it all here as Prince George's County native and naturalist-at-heart, Ruth Tyson, details her foraging experience in this episode and how she began the journey. Ruth also educates listeners on agroforestry and the various types, in addition to sharing some of the research she has been conducting with farmers of color in hopes to exp...

Rey Vanderpool is a registered dietitian nutritionist and owner of Insight Nutrition where they use an Integrative and Functional Nutrition (IFN) approach to nutrition counseling and therapy. In this episode, Rey kicks off the show sharing their health story that led to a field of study in nutrition. We also talk about ancestral foods, healing through farming, and Rey drops a few edible acts for o...

A dreamy garden in Detroit? Ask Marilyn who is the creator of Griffin Gardens - a three lot garden oasis that started as a blank slate and gift from her dad. In the last year, Marilyn has cultivated a beautiful green space filled with florals, pollinators, vegetables, and most importantly, community. In this amazing and fun episode, Marilyn talks about how she expanded her garden from one vacant l...

Cities can transform how we improve our food system and Ribka Getachew, Director of the NY Good Food Purchasing Program (GFPP) Campaign, joined our show to share just how! Ribka is a long-time organizer and food justice advocate who has been leading this campaign in New York City that serves as a game-changer for the procurement process within local government. The activist talks us through the ca...

Gardening & Beats founder, Kimani Anku, shares the origins of his gardening journey and how being in the green space saved his life, from health to mental challenges. The Webby Awards recipient is championing food activism work in his Prince George's County community and globally by working with families, individuals and youth to start their own garden so they can feel empowered to take control of...

In this episode, the People's Farmer, Gail Taylor of Three Part Harmony Farm shares details about their inaugural farmer trainee program in partnership with JustTransition Power Force. Barriers to farming for black people have existed for many decades and Three Part Harmony is taking action by offering an opportunity to learn farm production in Washington, DC with priority given to black applicant...

Dominque Charles of Plots & Pans joins us to share tips on how to protect yourself in the garden, along with your delicious garden beds, during the summer heat! To watch the live episode, subscribe to Food Talks N Color on YouTube! Like, comment and share:)

Having spent summers in North Carolina to homestead with her family, Falani Africa inherited many memories that make up a big part of her agricultural journey. In this episode, the Byrd's Nest Box founder invites us into the home of her family and shares a bit of her lineage story that ultimately leads to the birthing of her business. Falani then activates our tastebuds with the details of her Sou...

Kehmari Norman, founder, Black Flower Market, details a Reparations Garden that was installed near the White House by her and an all-black team of Washingtonians as a call for President Joe Biden to enact the HR 40 Bill that would study reparations. The Eucalyptus Queen also talks about her Concrete Rose initiative that supports families of gun violence in Washington, DC and leaves viewers with a...

In this episode, Chris Riddick of Afro Beets joins us to share four methods to grow food in tiny spaces. If you live in a city and don't have access to land or working with a tiny space, but want to grow food, this is the episode to tune into!

After a traumatic experience with her collard greens, My Grow Connect's Founder, Jennifer Lumpkin, vowed to never grow on land she didn't own. This will be the first reveal of the story here on the Edible Activist Podcast!

The Edible Activist Podcast is relaunching and kicking of it's first episode on YouTube. Join host, Melissa L. Jones for a conversation as she shares her mission for the podcast and what's to come! She is also joined by special guest, Jennifer Lumpkin of My, Grow, Connect for a conversation around food activism and why our voices matter in this space!