Edible Activist
Food
About
Edible Activist is a podcast that feeds you empowering narratives and perspectives from the voices of emerging black people and people of color in food and agriculture who are stewarding the land, healing communities, and advocating for food justice and economic power across the globe. Hosted by Melissa L. Jones, she interviews a diverse group of everyday growers, farmers, entrepreneurs, artists, and other extraordinary individuals, who exemplify activism in their own edible way!
Episodes
- #191: When the Pulpit Meets the Soil: The Church as a Food Hub
Melissa L. Jones talks with Pastor Heber Brown III, founder of the Black Church Food Security Network, about activating Black churches around food sovereignty. They discuss challenges, the need for younger generations to engage, and Pastor…
- #190: The Community Creates the Market: Brooklyn Supported Agriculture
This episode features Chef Mu discussing Brooklyn Supported Agriculture, a Black-led food cooperative. He explains how the community creates the market through initiatives like sliding scale pricing and emphasizes building a food system th…
- #189: Nana Kumi: The Land Remembers
In this episode, Melissa L. Jones talks with Nana Kumi, a queer Black southern artist and land steward from Natchez, Mississippi. Nana discusses her work with Spirit in Our Roots, an art-based initiative supporting Black growers and land s…
- #188: Growing Resilience in the South with Sade Meeks
Sade Meeks, founder of GRITS (Growing Resilience in the South), joins Melissa L. Jones to discuss the significance of Black Southern food and the healing aspects of Sunday dinner. They explore building a movement rooted in the stories of e…
- #187: Designing a Just Food Future with Dr. Celeste Davis
Dr. Celeste Davis and Melissa L. Jones discuss the intersection of food justice, public health, and community power. They explore how dignity, culture, policy, and labor shape food systems, emphasizing local action and design thinking for…
- #186: From Lineage to Land: Umi’s Journey of Ancestral Farming
Bianca “Umi” Anthony, a returning-generation farmer and community herbalist, shares her journey of reclaiming seven acres of her family's land in Bertie County, NC. She discusses reviving legacy, building Seed of Life Farm, growing medicin…
- #185: Nurturing Our Seeds: Detroit Roots, Community Power
Erin Cole details the growth of Nurturing Our Seeds in Detroit from a small garden to a community farm and seed-saving hub. The discussion covers soil health, seed saving for food sovereignty, supplying transplants, and adapting to climate…
- #184: SWAP: Fashioning Environmental Justice with Zsameria Rayford
The podcast features Zsameria Rayford discussing SWAP DC/Universe, a community-based clothing swap initiative. The initiative diverts thousands of pounds of textiles from landfills while enabling neighbors to exchange clothing, plants, boo…
- #183: SiStained8: From Kitchen Scraps to Living Soil
Najwa Womack, founder of SiStained8, explains composting as soil art, covering essentials like feedstock and common myths. She connects kitchen scraps to landfill methane reduction, soil improvement, and flood risk mitigation, offering pra…
- #182: Black Cotton and the Power of Legacy with Julius Tillery
Julius Tillery, a fifth-generation farmer and founder of Black Cotton, discusses reshaping perceptions of the crop. He shares his journey of embracing legacy, raising awareness about declining Black cotton farmers, and inspiring future gen…
- #181: Roots, Recipes & Storytelling with Antoinette Johnson
Antoinette Johnson shares how her Black Southern roots, family traditions, and community gatherings shaped her culinary voice and storytelling. She recounts her journey, including her success on America's Test Kitchen: The Next Generation,…
- #180: From the Kitchen to the Soil with Chef Marly
Chef Marly, a trained chef, found healing through soil after a 2014 traumatic brain injury. This episode covers her transition from the kitchen to farming, the role of agriculture in her recovery, and her current seasonal gardening activit…
- #179: Melon Nation
Edible Activist features Melissa in conversation with Kenny and Cutt, co-founders of Melon Nation. They discuss their work as Black farmers and agricultural specialists providing seeded watermelon and tropical fruits along the East Coast,…
- #178: The Bodega Bites with Ora Kemp
Ora Kemp, creator of The Bodega Bites, shares insights on NYC’s food policy, the significance of SNAP, and the challenges of food insufficiency versus insecurity. The conversation addresses the impact of rising costs on communities and pro…
- #177: Intelligent Mischief: Shaping Black Futures
This episode features Aisha Shillingford of Intelligent Mischief discussing speculative world-building as a tool for liberation and community transformation. Topics include reparations, land justice in food systems, and Afro-futurism to re…
- #176: Demi Unique: Telling Stories Through Style, Flavor and Food
Chef Demi Unique, trained in fashion and culinary arts, discusses her approach to food as a medium for storytelling, ancestral tribute, and community building, with a focus on honoring lineage and Black culture.
- #175: Regenerating Food & Health at Konterra Life Farms
Host Melissa speaks with Kela, a farmer and registered dietitian from Konterra Life Farms. They discuss regenerative, soil-first farming, the link between land and health, and the role of education in reconnecting communities with their fo…
- #174: Mushrooms, Justice, and the Future of Food with Eight Fold Farms DC
JR, founder of EightFold Farms DC, explains how the urban farm network is addressing food apartheid and creating climate-smart farming solutions by growing mushrooms in underused spaces in Washington, DC.
- #173: Bees & Seeds at Châteaux Cocoa
Darrelynne Strother, founder of Châteaux Cocoa, shares her journey from childhood gardening to leading beekeeping workshops, focusing on wellness, community care, and urban growing.
- #172: Fried Chicken & Caviar: Reclaiming Luxury with Chi Walker
Chi Walker joins Edible Activist to discuss Fried Chicken and Caviar, a pop-up redefining luxury dining through a soulful, intentional lens. The conversation explores cultural reclamation, ancestral roots, culinary innovation, and the sign…
- #171: Protecting Food Access: A Policy Update with LaMonika Jones
LaMonika Jones rejoins Edible Activist to provide a food policy update, detailing federal threats to SNAP, the status of DC's local budget, and the effects of these decisions on families. The episode also covers what is at stake and how co…
- #170: Anderson James Farm: A Conversation with The Chicken Mama
Kizzy Anderson James, founder of Anderson James Farm, shares her journey from military service to urban farming, discussing her experiences raising chickens in the city and integrating creativity into her work. The episode also touches on…
- #169: Great Mother Garden Solutions
On Edible Activist, Tamara, founder of Great Mother Garden Solutions, shares her journey into land stewardship and herbal wisdom, including the importance of dandelions and advice for new growers.
- #168: The Joy of Black Foodways with Indigo Culinary & Co.
Edible Activist episode #168 features Josmine Evans, founder of Indigo Culinary & Co., discussing Black foodways and culinary traditions of the African diaspora. Evans shares insights on cultural preservation, ancestral foodways, and using…
- #167: Black Girl Environmentalist: Building Community in DC
Olivia and Deja, co-Hub leaders of Black Girl Environmentalist DC, share the organization's story and efforts to foster an inclusive climate movement. They focus on connecting Black women to nature and environmental justice work in the Was…
- #166: Marching Forward: Resistance, Rest & Reconnecting with Nature
This episode of Edible Activist discusses marching forward with purpose, focusing on resistance, the importance of rest, and plans to reconnect with nature, such as attending the Taking Nature Black conference.
- #165: Reclamation & Resilience – Taking Nature Black 2025
Edible Activist episode #165 highlights the Taking Nature Black conference, which celebrates Black leadership in the environmental movement. The 2025 theme is 'Reclamation & Resilience,' emphasizing reclaiming narratives, land protection,…
- #164: Edible Activist Reflecting on 2024 and Looking Ahead
In episode 164, Edible Activist reflects on the key milestones achieved in 2024 and outlines the future journey to amplify Black voices in growing spaces.
- #163: Farming Truths and Myths: A Live Conversation with Gail
Episode #163 of Edible Activist features a live conversation with Gail about farming truths and myths, focusing on resilience, community, and the legacy of "The People's Farmer."
- #162: Ashwagandha’s Power and Revolutionizing Wellness with HSA/FSA
Najee Ellerbe, founder of Everybody's Juice, shares his business origin story, the health benefits of ashwagandha, and how he made his juices more accessible by integrating HSA/FSA payment options.
- #161: Food Systems Spotlight: SNAP and Farm Bill
LaMonika Jones discusses updates to SNAP benefits, including the Give SNAP a Raise initiative, and the significance of the Farm Bill for the food ecosystem.
- #160: Growing Futures: Youth, Food, and Community
Students from Common Good City Farm's Youth Entrepreneurship Cooperative discuss their project, "Youth Common Agrowments," which explores urban farming and food systems. They created a hot sauce brand, "Hot Topic," and focused on advocatin…
- #159: Farmer Wes aka The Compost King
Farmer Wes, known as The Compost King, shares his journey from childhood agricultural experiences in Trinidad to his work in urban agriculture. He discusses the importance of composting for growing healthy food and his involvement in food…
- #158: Heirs Property 101: Insights with Urban Planner, Brittney Drakeford
Urban planner Brittney Drakeford discusses heirs property in episode 158 of the Edible Activist podcast. The hosts clarify that they are not lawyers and are sharing personal experiences, recommending consultation with a legal professional…
- #157: Seeds of Blackness: A Journey Through St. Croix
Edible Activist episode #157 features Dr. Sade Anderson Brown discussing Seeds of Blackness, an initiative celebrating Black Crucian culture in St. Croix. The episode covers the island's history, culture, culinary traditions, and the farme…
- #156: Empowering LA: Prosperity Market Transforming Food Access
Carmen and Kara, founders of Prosperity Market LA, share their origin story and discuss their mobile farmers market and food truck initiative. The episode covers their efforts to improve food access in Los Angeles, support Black businesses…
- #155: The Roots of OlaLekan: Farmer Tolu’s Story
Farmer Tolu shares the story behind OlaLekan Farm, an enterprise honoring her grandparents and focused on food access and cultural preservation in the DC area. The episode covers growing ginger, other culturally significant crops, and addr…
- #154: Sowing Seeds with Farmer Monica Newman
Navy veteran Monica Newman discusses her transition to farming, her work founding a seed company focused on tradition and seed saving, and her involvement in an agricultural leadership initiative and the Black Agrarian Food Tour.
- #153: Homegrown Delights with Plots & Pans
In episode #153 of Edible Activist, host Dominique Charles of Plots & Pans shares memories of her Louisiana childhood, offers gardening advice, and presents recipes. The episode also honors black women in food and agriculture, mentioning B…
- #152: Advocating for DC's Food & Health Future
Episode 152 features LaMonika Jones discussing DC Hunger Solutions' initiatives like Hear the Crunch and Give Snap a Raise. The conversation covers challenges in the FY25 budget and actions residents can take, concluding with a spotlight o…
- #151: Exclusive Live Podcast: HOMEGROWN with Byrd's Nest Box
Falani Spivey of Byrd's Nest Box shares her journey in farming, inspired by Black women growers and family matriarchs, during an exclusive live episode of The Edible Activist. The discussion covers homegrown traditions in DC and North Caro…
- #150: Beauty Blooms Farm with Nia Nyamweya
Nia Nyamweya, founder of Beauty Blooms Farm, shares her story of integrating family heritage with community empowerment and sustainable agriculture. The episode covers initiatives like Farm-to-Food Bank and the farm's expansion on 10 acres…
- #149: From Roots to Market: Nourishing Community with Ashley Drakeford
Ashley Drakeford, founder of Capital Market in Prince George's County, MD, discusses her family's six-generation connection to the area and how it informs the market's mission to combat food inequality. She shares her role in organizing th…
- #148: Cuzzin' Talk: Sean's Veggie Garden
This episode of Edible Activist features Sean of Sean's Veggie Garden, discussing his journey in food cultivation, love for crabbing, and home-cooked memories. The conversation includes colorful language and is intended for mature audience…
- #147: Plate to Passion: JuJu Harris on Culinary Education & Well-being
Juliet "JuJu" Harris shares insights on culinary education, accessible healthy eating, and community well-being, inspired by her father's health journey. Her work includes community cooking classes and a cookbook focused on budget-friendly…
- #146: Breaking Bread: LaMonika Jones Unveils the Blueprint for Hunger Eradication in DC
LaMonika Jones, the new director at DC Hunger Solutions, shares her approach to combating hunger in Washington, D.C. She emphasizes collaboration and a comprehensive system rather than silos, highlighting the role of agriculture in her age…
- #145: The People's Market
This episode features Brandon Starkes, founder of The People's Market, a subscription food delivery service supporting local Black farms and artisans in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area. The conversation explores Starkes' agricultural u…
- #144: Cuzzin' Talk: Food Justice, A Social Movement
Episode #144 of Edible Activist, titled 'Cuzzin' Talk: Food Justice, A Social Movement,' presents Xavier's recommended reading list for Black food organizers and advocates, covering topics from agricultural history to land justice and Blac…
- #143: Woman from the Well
Jarren Hill-Lockridge, known as the
- #142: Protecting Her Family's Farmland from Loss
Episode 142 of Edible Activist discusses protecting family farmland from loss, featuring insights from Brittney Bell Surrat.