#184: SWAP: Fashioning Environmental Justice with Zsameria Rayford

From living-room swaps to a decade of citywide pop-ups, Zsameria Rayford’s SWAP DC → SWAP Universe shows how style and sustainability move together. T...

#183: SiStained8: From Kitchen Scraps to Living Soil

Najwa Womack, founder of SiStained8 in Washington, D.C., traces her path from early nature moments to teaching compost as the art of growing soil. She...

#182: Black Cotton and the Power of Legacy with Julius Tillery

Cotton has long been a cornerstone of American agriculture and culture. Julius Tillery, a fifth-generation cotton farmer and founder of Black Cotton,...

#181: Roots, Recipes & Storytelling with Antoinette Johnson

Chef, storyteller, and advocate Antoinette Johnson takes us back to her Black Southern roots, where family traditions and community gatherings first s...

#180: From the Kitchen to the Soil with Chef Marly

After a traumatic brain injury in 2014, Chef Marly — a classically trained chef and Washington native — found healing in an unexpected place: the soil...

#179: Melon Nation

In this episode of Edible Activist, Melissa sits down with Kenny and Cutt, the co-founders of Melon Nation — two Black farmers and agricultural specia...

#178: The Bodega Bites with Ora Kemp

Ora Kemp, creator of The Bodega Bites, is on a mission to make sure everyone’s eatin’. As a 2025 Castanea Fellow and Senior Policy Advisor with the NY...

#177: Intelligent Mischief: Shaping Black Futures

What would our world look like if Black imagination led the way? In this episode, Artistic Director Aisha Shillingford of Intelligent Mischief joins m...

#176: Demi Unique: Telling Stories Through Style, Flavor and Food

Chef Demi Unique approaches food as art, memory, and ancestral tribute. Trained at both the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising and the Instit...

#175: Regenerating Food & Health at Konterra Life Farms

In this episode, Melissa sit down with Kela, a farmer and founder of Konterra Life Farms in Maryland. Kela is deeply rooted in regenerative, soil-fir...

#174: Mushrooms, Justice, and the Future of Food with Eight Fold Farms DC

In this episode of The Edible Activist, Melissa sits down with JR, founder and CEO of EightFold Farms DC, a network of hyperlocal urban farms transfor...

#173: Bees & Seeds at Châteaux Cocoa

In this episode, we sit down with Darrelynne Strother, founder of Châteaux Cocoa, where wellness takes root through gardening, beekeeping, and communi...

#172: Fried Chicken & Caviar: Reclaiming Luxury with Chi Walker

In this episode, we sit down with Chi Walker—creative force, culinary curator, and one-half of the duo behind Fried Chicken and Caviar, the pop-up red...

#171: Protecting Food Access: A Policy Update with LaMonika Jones

In this episode, we’re joined once again by LaMonika Jones, Director of State Initiatives at the Food Research & Action Center, for a food policy upda...

#170: Anderson James Farm: A Conversation with The Chicken Mama

Meet Kizzy Anderson James—a fierce spirit cultivating community, creativity, and flavor straight from the soil. In this episode of Edible Activist, ho...

#169: Great Mother Garden Solutions

In this episode, we sit down with Tamara, the founder of Great Mother Garden Solutions, to explore the deep roots of land stewardship and herbal wisdo...

#168: The Joy of Black Foodways with Indigo Culinary & Co.

In this episode, we explore the rich tapestry of Black foodways with Josmine Evans, founder of Indigo Culinary & Co. As a cultural preservationist, ch...

#167: Black Girl Environmentalist: Building Community in DC

In this episode of Edible Activist, we’re joined by Olivia and Deja, co-Hub leaders of Black Girl Environmentalist DC. Focused on fostering an inclusi...

#166: Marching Forward: Resistance, Rest & Reconnecting with Nature

As we step into March, I’m reflecting on what it means to march forward—with purpose, even when the ground beneath us feels unsteady. In this episode,...

#165: Reclamation & Resilience – Taking Nature Black 2025

#164: Edible Activist Reflecting on 2024 and Looking Ahead

Join me as I reflect on 2024—celebrating Edible Activist’s key milestones, and the exciting journey ahead in amplifying Black voices in growing spaces...

#163: Farming Truths and Myths: A Live Conversation with Gail

Catch the full live episode on YouTube to experience the energy firsthand! Tune in for an inspiring celebration of resilience, community, and the lega...

#162: Ashwagandha’s Power and Revolutionizing Wellness with HSA/FSA

In this episode, we sit down with Najee Ellerbe, founder of Everybody's Juice, to explore the journey behind his growing health-focused business. We r...

#161: Food Systems Spotlight: SNAP and Farm Bill

In this episode of Edible Activist, we welcome back LaMonika Jones, Executive Director of DC Hunger Solutions, to discuss the latest updates on SNAP b...

#160: Growing Futures: Youth, Food, and Community

In this episode, students from the Youth Entrepreneurship Cooperative at Common Good City Farm take the lead, sharing their experiences exploring urba...

#159: Farmer Wes aka The Compost King

We sit down with Farmer Wes, aka The Compost King, as he shares his inspiring journey and entrepreneurial legacy from his roots to his current role in...

#158: Heirs Property 101: Insights with Urban Planner, Brittney Drakeford

Disclaimer: We are not lawyers and are sharing personal experiences. For legal assistance with heirs property, please consult a lawyer.

#157: Seeds of Blackness: A Journey Through St. Croix

#156: Empowering LA: Prosperity Market Transforming Food Access

Join us on this episode as we welcome Carmen and Kara, the dynamic duo behind Prosperity Market LA—a unique farmers market on wheels and food truck th...

#155: The Roots of OlaLekan: Farmer Tolu’s Story

Join us as we explore the inspiring journey behind OlaLekan Farm with its founder, Farmer Tolu. Named in honor of her grandparents, the farm is a symb...

#154: Sowing Seeds with Farmer Monica Newman

Join us for an inspiring conversation with farmer and Navy veteran Monica Newman as we explore her remarkable journey from archaeological technician t...

#153: Homegrown Delights with Plots & Pans

Join us on our podcast as we catch up with Dominique Charles of Plots & Pans and dive into her latest adventures. We fondly reminisce about her Louisi...

#152: Advocating for DC's Food & Health Future

Join us for an in-depth conversation with returning guest LaMonika Jones of DC Hunger Solutions, as we celebrate the victories in DC's battle against...

#151: Exclusive Live Podcast: HOMEGROWN with Byrd's Nest Box

During this exclusive episode of The Edible Activist Live Podcast event, we opened our studio doors to welcome guests into a vibrant, in-person dialog...

#150: Beauty Blooms Farm with Nia Nyamweya

#149: From Roots to Market: Nourishing Community with Ashley Drakeford

Join us for an enlightening discussion with Ashley Drakeford, the visionary behind Capital Market in Capital Heights, MD. With roots spanning six gene...

#148: Cuzzin' Talk: Sean's Veggie Garden

*Heads up! This episode gets a little spicy with some colorful language—perfect for mature ears only*

Edible Activist launches its exciti...

#147: Plate to Passion: JuJu Harris on Culinary Education & Well-being

#146: Breaking Bread: LaMonika Jones Unveils the Blueprint for Hunger Eradication in DC

Join us for this episode as we welcome LaMonika Jones as the new director at DC Hunger Solutions. LaMonika shares her journey combating hunger in Wash...

#145: The People's Market

Step into the world of "The People's Market" with us in this episode!

Meet the visionary founder, Brandon Starkes, who is reshaping the g...