Launched in early 2021, the Food Systems Change Fellowship serves as a “test kitchen” for incubating ideas related to potential leverage points identified in the Menu of Actions. The Fellowship provides support for local leaders to develop and validate their ideas while growing partnerships essential for bringing an idea to life.
The Fellowship concluded on July 28, 2021 with the Showcase of Opportunities, where Fellows pitched their visions for community-driven food system change. We invite you to view a recording of the Showcase of Opportunities and to learn more about how to get involved with the visions through the linked documents in the Fellow profiles.
Please check back in Spring 2022 for announcements about the next Food Systems Change Fellowship cohort. We also invite you to subscribe to receive updates about the Fellowship.
Meet the 2021 Fellows
Lena Boswell comes to the cohort with deep-rooted connections, both local and national, to gain and maintain Black food sovereignty. Ms. Boswell seeks to strengthen resources to increase Black and indigenous communities' access to land so they can nurture and grow new food systems.
Learn about Lena's vision for the Soil to Soul Food Web
Watch Lena's pitch of her vision from the 2021 Showcase of Opportunities.
Marilyn Burns is motivated by the possibilities for better linkage/s of healthy eating and active living activities with the interests of residents in public housing. Ms. Burns has been a community leader and advocate for 17 years. Her main focus has always been to serve her community, residents, and neighbors while promoting a spiritual and healthy outlook, uplifting community engagement whenever possible.
Learn about Marilyn's vision for the Mind, Body, and Spirit Initiative
Watch Marilyn's pitch of her vision from the 2021 Showcase of Opportunities
Kellee Etheridge has a well-rounded view of issues surrounding healthy food access for families receiving food assistance. Ms. Etheridge's desire is to team up with local chefs and teach families healthy eating, shopping, and preservation of food.
Learn more about Kelle's vision for Cooking with Chef Kellee
Watch Kellee's pitch of her vision from the 2021 Showcase of Opportunities
Antunesia Harris is an active community leader and volunteer in Cleveland's Ward 7. Ms. Harris comes to the cohort with a desire to embark on social entrepreneurship to advance solutions for improving nutritional outcomes in urban communities.
Learn about Antunesia's vision for the People of Cleveland Volunteer Core
Watch Antunesia's pitch of her vision from the 2021 Showcase of Opportunities
Michelle B. Jackson lives at the intersection of politics and the culinary arts. Drawing on her strong ties to activist communities, plus her decade as a restaurant chef, Ms. Jackson will focus her fellowship efforts in the Buckeye-Shaker neighborhood on advancing food sovereignty through community gardening and food entrepreneurship.
Learn more about Michelle's vision for Seeds to Shelves
Watch Michelle's pitch of her vision from the 2021 Showcase of Opportunities
Fellowship Details
Throughout the 6-month engagement, Fellows will participated in monthly capacity-building workshops, collaborated with the study team through weekly office hours, and connected with mentors from a number of organizations, including:
| Central Kitchen | Pisanick Partners |
| Cleveland Fresh | Plant the Seed |
| From The Heart LLC | The FARE Project |
| Greater Cleveland FoodBank | Twelve Literary Arts |
| John Carroll University | Village Family Farms |
| Little Africa Food Collaborative | CWRU Weatherhead School of Management |
| Ohio State University Extension | CWRU Department of Nutrition |
On July 28, 2021, the foodNEST Collaborative will be featuring our first annual Showcase of Opportunities. The Showcase of Opportunities featured the 2021 Cohort of Food Systems Change Fellows and their ideas for community-driven food systems change. We invite you to view a recording of the Showcase of Opportunities and to learn more about how to get involved with the visions through the linked documents in the Fellow profiles.
To learn more or to get involved in the Food Systems Change Fellowship, please contact Sheena Fryerson, Food Systems Change Coordinator, at sxf442@case.edu.