Black food sovereignty: Decolonizing the food system

The event features leading voices in Black Food Sovereignty, including:

• Dr. Jasmine Ratliff, Co-Executive Director of the National Black Food & Justice Alliance: A policy-based food systems specialist and New Orleans native, Dr. Ratliff brings expertise in combating food system inequities. She is a farmer and advocate for a future where zip code no longer determines health outcomes, leveraging her experience with academic, philanthropic, and community partnerships.
• Zakiya Tafari, Executive Director of the Afri-Can Food Basket (AFB): Zakiya is a visionary leader championing food justice and Black Food Sovereignty within Toronto's African, Caribbean, and Black communities. He has pioneered progressive food movements that highlight cultural diets, sustainable urban agriculture, and collaborative efforts to advance health, wellness, and social enterprise.
• Nicole Austin, Programs Coordinator at the 3B Black Food Sovereignty Initiative: Harvest Collective and Learning Circle (HCLC) at Toronto Metropolitan University Urban Farm. Nicole oversees programs engaging Black students, faculty, staff, and the broader community through culturally significant crops and medicines from farm to table. HCLC promotes food sovereignty through African-centered urban farming and education.
• Dr. Shakara Tyler, Co-Executive Director of the Detroit Black Community Food Sovereignty Network: A returning-generation farmer, educator, and organizer, Dr. Tyler works at the intersection of Black agrarianism, agroecology, and food sovereignty as commitments to abolition and decolonization. She is also co-founder of the Detroit Black Farmer Land Fund and a member of the Black Dirt Farm Collective.

The discussion will be moderated by Malik Yakini, Former Executive Director of the Detroit Black Community Food Security Network. Drawing on his legacy as a pioneering leader in Black Food Sovereignty and justice activism, Malik will guide this essential conversation.

The event will be introduced by Dr. Mélanie Knight, Associate Professor and Advisor on Black Diasporic Education at Toronto Metropolitan University, situating Black Food Sovereignty within broader frameworks of Black liberation and educational empowerment.

Event Highlights Include:

• Panel Discussion: Insights on challenges and opportunities in reclaiming food systems and achieving Black Food Sovereignty. 
• Networking Dinner: A delicious vegan meal by Vital Life to connect and network with other attendees.