Maxine Simon

A farmer, filmmaker, and educator, Maxine Farming bridges ecology, culture, and storytelling. Through her digital platform and series How We Grow, she spotlights young farmers of color and the artistry of urban agriculture. Her work transforms growing food into a visual language of regeneration—showing that land, creativity, and community can flourish even in the heart of the city.

Black Cultural Zone

A Black-led force transforming East Oakland through culture, economic empowerment, and community leadership. They preserve heritage, build vibrant neighborhood spaces, foster youth and family well-being, and drive systemic change through adaptive governance and strategic partnerships. By uniting culture, commerce, and civic power, BCZ shows that Black communities don’t just survive—they thrive, lead, and own their future.

BLACspace Cooperative

A Black-led cultural hub in Oakland offering shared workspace, wellness support, and resources for artists, entrepreneurs, and cultural organizations. By nurturing collective growth, creative ownership, and holistic well-being, BLACspace cultivates a thriving ecosystem that preserves Black cultural power and fosters generational impact.

Oakland Black Business Fund

The Oakland Black Business Fund empowers Black entrepreneurs with capital, mentorship, and strategic support to grow sustainable businesses. By investing in Black ownership, providing technical resources, and fostering economic resilience, they strengthen community wealth and ensure that Black-led enterprises thrive in Oakland’s evolving economic landscape.

Urban Harvest STL

Cultivates food justice, ecological resilience, and community empowerment through a network of urban farms in St. Louis. By growing organic produce, transforming unused city spaces into living systems, and educating youth and adults in sustainable agriculture, they demonstrate how natural living, land access, and Black-community leadership can master the present to shape a thriving future.

Seed St. Louis

Since 1984, Seed St. Louis has empowered neighborhoods with tools, education, and land to grow food, reclaim urban spaces, and build resilient communities. Supporting 250+ community gardens, school orchards, and urban farms, they’re now breaking ground on a 26,000‑sq‑ft Food Demonstration Garden—complete with orchard trees, native pollinator zones, a solar greenhouse, and indoor‑outdoor learning space. They prove that persistent, purposeful action carves lasting impact.

Breast Friends Lactation and Support Services

Founded to raise Black breastfeeding initiation and duration in East and West Oakland, Breast Friends offers peer support, education, and culturally responsive lactation services. Their work supports natural parenting and wellness from infancy in the Black community, anchoring agency and thriving within Black families from the very beginning.

Cultural Roots Homeschool Cooperative

A culturally centered homeschool co-op led by Black and Brown families. Cultural Roots creates a liberated learning environment where youth explore African-diaspora history, nature, arts, and community activism. Rooted in self-love, ancestral wisdom, and holistic living, it’s a model of alternative education that transforms inherited wisdom into actionable mastery for the next generation.

The 40 Acre Conservation League

A Black-led land trust that acquired 650 acres for conservation, public access, and generational stewardship. Their work embodies persistent care, forward-looking vision, and community agency.

Africatown Community Land Trust

Founded by African American residents and business owners in North St. Louis, ACLT‑STL acquires government land and vacant properties to repurpose into affordable housing, commercial, and industrial development—emphasizing Black-owned firms, contractors, and wealth building. This is Black ownership and mastery of space in action.

Cool the City / Southside ReLeaf

Leads large-scale urban greening projects in Richmond, from tree canopy expansion to green workforce training. Rooted in eco-conscious, holistic approaches, this Black- and Brown-led initiative reshapes city streets while nurturing the persistent spirit of community leadership.

Green City Coalition

Partners with St. Louis city and state agencies to transform vacant lots into vibrant green spaces, implement nature-based infrastructure, and provide eco-education. Black-led and community-centered, they fuse environmental sustainability, holistic urban renewal, and youth engagement, turning action into lasting social power.

RVA Black Farmers Market

A signature market spotlighting Black farmers, growers, and artisans in Richmond. It’s a space to buy directly from Black producers, learn local agriculture, and support food sovereignty, turning ancestral knowledge into present-day agency and prosperity.

Growing Food Growing People

A backyard-to-neighborhood teaching farm founded by Leah Lee. Centers Black women and families, offering gardening classes, cultural seed histories, and free produce events. Demonstrates that thriving comes from turning knowledge into tangible community impact.

Heru Urban Farming

Led by urban farmer Tyrean “Heru” Lewis, grows organic produce, runs education programs, and advocates for equitable access to land and healthy food. Persistence, vision, and community agency define this thriving Black enterprise.

Raising Black Boys to Become Great Men

Mentors Black boys ages 6–21 in Oakland, fostering leadership, entrepreneurship, and personal growth. Blends mentorship, professional guidance, and community engagement to turn inherited strength into mastery and generational impact

The OK Program of Oakland

A Black-youth-led mentoring and leadership program cultivating academic excellence, resilience, and civic engagement. Through mentorship, skill-building, and projects, they embody persistence and agency, proving thriving in historically challenged spaces is possible.

The BIZ Stoop

A Black-youth-led social enterprise empowering young people through storytelling, wellness grants, seed funding, and collective economics. Vision: exponentially increasing life expectancy of Black youth beyond 25. Thriving happens here in place, through agency, and deliberate action.

Freedom Community Center

Dedicated to building movements of survivors who address violence, dismantle punitive systems, and create community-based alternatives grounded in healing. Envisions a Beloved Community rooted in power, repair, and collective generational flourishing.

SweetArt Bakeshop & Café

Black-owned vegan bakery and café in St. Louis, fusing art, culture, and plant-based cuisine. Redefines wellness through food, community, and creativity, demonstrating thriving Black entrepreneurship rooted in sustainability and excellence.