Executive Director Transition Announcement
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 9, 2021
National Black Food & Justice Alliance Announces Executive Director Transition
Photo Credit: Melissa Alexander of Phyllis Iller at Truly Living Well, Atlanta, GA
In the spirit of deep reverence and intentionality, we announce that Dara Cooper, the co-founder and executive director of the National Black Food and Justice Alliance (NBFJA) is transitioning from her role effective January 1, 2022. After a six month sabbatical, she will serve as a Senior Advisor to the Alliance on an as needed consulting basis.
As a long-time organizer, food justice movement builder and freedom fighter standing proudly on the shoulders of those who have paved the way, Dara has committed the past seven years to stewarding, connecting, and amplifying the work of a powerful body of now 40+ Black-led food justice and land based organizations across the country. During her tenure, NBFJA developed the Mutual Aid Resource Council where nearly half a million dollars have been granted to members and Black food justice organizations in 2021 alone; laid the groundwork for a new, forthcoming Agroecology Center; launched a map and directory of Black farmers; convened and supported Black food co-ops; built a Resource Commons Council to contribute towards a national land reform strategy in solidarity with Indigenous communities; moved millions of dollars from partner funder groups to Black, Indigenous and POC-led groups; as well as intervened in white dominant food spaces to redirect resources to Black, Indigenous and BIPOC-led work. Her decision to transition at this time exemplifies the success her foundational work has been in the creation of a stable and well-governed organization that still has so much work and possibility ahead. She shares these same sentiments,
“Our work has always been rooted in so much love and I am convinced the leadership team, the staff and the new co-directors will continue to ground this work in love and much integrity. For that, there can only be so much more greatness to come. Cheers to a new iteration of exciting work together of freedom-dreaming, scheming, supporting, designing, constructing, manifesting and actualizing all the incredible things our people deserve!” - DC
After extensive consulting and coaching through succession planning, the Leadership Team of the National Black Food & Justice Alliance unanimously voted to adopt a co-directorship model and to hire from within. Dara’s two successors who will hold a co-directorship are Cicely Garrett, formerly NBFJA’s Grants Manager, and Dr. Jasmine Ratliff, formerly NBFJA’s Self Determining Food Economies and Policy Manager. The Leadership Team is very excited about the incoming co-directors who will continue guiding such important work during this critical time, and they express endless gratitude to Dara and look forward to collaborating with her in the future.
Cicely Garrett Biography
Cicely is a creative strategist and social entrepreneur adept at providing thought leadership and consulting in areas such as design thinking, racial equity, environmental justice, food sovereignty, and grants management. Cicely spearheaded the transition of the Mayor's Office of Sustainability to Office of Resilience under the 100 Resilient Cities program pioneered by the Rockefeller Foundation to address challenges and opportunities arising in Metro cities as a result of urbanization, globalization, and climate change. Cicely served as a community builder, facilitator and program manager for 8.5 years at the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Cicely holds a B.S.B.A. degree with a concentration in Finance and New & Small Business Management from Georgetown University and a Master of Public Policy degree with a concentration in Nonprofit Management from The George Washington University.
Dr. Jasmine Ratliff Biography
Dr. Jas is an applied food systems research and policy-based specialist. She partners with academic research teams, anchor institutions, philanthropic foundations, and community-based organizations to identify root causes of and develop innovative solutions to food system challenges. Dr. Jas received her master’s degree in Community Planning from Auburn University and Ph.D. in Integrative Public Policy and Development from Tuskegee University. As a New Orleans native and farmer, she has developed a unique perspective when it comes to food and the effects that it has on communities. Dr. Jas believes that one’s zip code should not determine their life expectancy, and building relationships are essential to creating a sustainable and just food system.
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National Black Food and Justice Alliance is a coalition of Black-led organizations working towards cultivating and advancing Black leadership, building Black self-determination, Black institution building and organizing for food sovereignty, land and justice. The Alliance seeks to achieve this by engaging in broad based coalition organizing for black food and land, increasing visibility of Black led narratives and work, advancing Black led visions for just and sustainable communities, and building capacity for self-determination within our local, national, and international food systems and land rights work. Our areas of focus include black food sovereignty, self-determining food economies, and land. We approach food sovereignty, land and self-determining food economies via the lens of healing, organizing and resistance against anti-Blackness.
For more information, please contact LeeAnn Morrissette: leeann@blackfoodjustice.org
Fundraising and development inquiries: grants@blackfoodjustice.org
Membership related inquiries: membership@blackfoodjustice.org
Finance related inquiries: kenni@blackfoodjustice.org