About Malik Yakini
I have the sacred honor of serving as Executive Director of the Detroit Black Community Food Security Network (DBCFSN). We promote Black Food Sovereignty via the production of tons of hyper local nutrient-dense fruits, vegetables and herbs at the seven acre D-Town Farm. The farm also trains community members through formal internships and volunteer opportunities.
About Detroit Black Community Food Security Network (DBCFSN)
DBCFSN operates the Food Warriors Youth Development Program which teaches young people between the ages of 7-12 how to maintain raised bed gardens, and harvest and prepare the food in healthy ways. The young people are grounded in African and African American history and culture and are taught food justice concepts.
Most recently, DBCFSN has led the development of the Detroit People's Food Co-op, a Black-led, cooperatively owned grocery store that currently has more than 1,600 member/owners. DBCFSN is also co-leading, with our development partner, Develop Detroit Inc., the development of the Detroit Food Commons, a new 31,000 sq, foot two-story building that will house the Detroit People's Food Co-op on the first floor and four shared use kitchens, a banquet hall/community meeting space and office space for DBCFSN on the second floor. The Detroit Food Commons is expected to open in the summer of 2023. The project centers Black leadership, Black contractors and aims to circulate dollars within the Black community rather than have them extracted by other ethnic groups.
I have attached a photo of the current D-Town Farm Staff. Pictured from left to right are: Farm Grounds and Maintenance Manager Hakim Rasulallah, Farm Manager Ayanfe Free. Farmers Victoria Llorens, Alana Burke, Ayanna Grace King, DBCFSN Executive Director Malik Yakini and in the front Farmer Ikaje Amensua aka Truth.
Check out Detroit Black Community Food Security Network (DBCFSN) here.
