MALIK YAKINI on a Food Sovereign Future in Detroit /75

Photo by Fair Food Network Detroit

Malik Kenyatta Yakini is an activist and educator who is committed to freedom and justice for humanity. Yakini is co-founder and Executive Director of the Detroit Black Community Food Security Network (DBCFSN). DBCFSN operates a seven-acre urban farm and is spearheading the opening of a co-op grocery store in Detroit’s North End.

Yakini views the “good food revolution” as part of the larger movement for freedom, justice and equality. He has a strong interest in contributing to the development of an international food sovereignty movement that embraces Black communities in the Americas, the Caribbean and Africa. Malik is dedicated to working to identify and alleviate the impact of racism and white privilege on the food system. He has worked to spearhead efforts to establish the Detroit Food Policy Council, which he chairs. He served as a member of the Michigan Food Policy Council from 2008 – 2010. He serves on the facilitation team of Undoing Racism in the Detroit Food System. He is also C.E.O. of Black Star Educational Management.

Malik Yakini via Bioneers Conference

Yakini has presented at numerous local community meetings and national conferences on food justice and implementing community food security practices. He is featured in the book Blacks Living Green, and the recent movie Urban Roots. He is a vegan and an avid organic grower, as well as a musician who plays guitar, bass and dundun drums. He is also the father of three.

♫ Music is "Mystic Warrior" by Malik Yakini.

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