Cultivating Connections: Building Partnerships to Address Hunger, Nutrition & Health

Cultivating Connections: Building Partnerships for Hunger, Nutrition, and Health

Join us on Wednesday, April 16, at 3:30pm ET for the Hunger Nutrition and Health Action Collaborative Monthly Webinar Series. Connect with partners across the US dedicated to ending hunger and building healthy communities. This webinar will highlight successful strategies, food and nutrition system changes, multisector partnerships, and community-building efforts.

Join this month's partner call to learn how to protect and grow community-based food systems.  

Our panelists include:

Erika Allen, Founder and CEO of Urban Growers Collective, also serves as president of Green ERA Educational NFP and co-owns Green ERA Sustainability Partners. She led Growing Power – Chicago from 2002 to 2017 and co-founded the Chicago Food Policy Action Council. Erika serves on the board of Grow Greater Englewood and advises the Community Food Navigator project. The state of Illinois appointed her to the Leadership Council for Agricultural Education (2022-2024), and the Biden administration selected her for the Illinois Farm Service Agency Committee. Erika earned art degrees from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and the University of Illinois at Chicago. She uses her art skills to help people create positive social and economic change. Erika fights racism and poverty by combining creative methods with food security and community building.

Brandon Lov, Director of Development at Urban Growers Collective, joined the organization in summer 2018 as an urban agriculture intern. He worked on farms and helped sell fresh food at the Fresh Moves Mobile Market and local farmers' markets. Brandon now leads the fundraising team, organizing successful galas and managing emergency food relief funds during the pandemic. Brandon graduated from the University of Chicago in 2019 with degrees in Public Policy and Environmental & Urban Studies. His background in policy and environmental studies strengthens his approach to urban agriculture and community development work.

Justin Nickelson, Georgia Farms Fund Program Manager at The Conservation Fund, brings skills in urban agriculture and creative strategy. He studied architectural design at Howard University, developing talents in international site design and development. Justin's experience spans urban agriculture, public policy, grants management, event planning, and food service. Justin focuses on local food production, education, and community engagement. Before his work in agriculture, he engaged with Atlanta communities through arts and entertainment, organizing events and performing as a musician to promote positive social change.

Bill Green, Executive Director of The Common Market Southeast, works to strengthen local food systems for community health. Before joining The Common Market, he worked at The Kroger Co. for 18 years in roles including Vice President of Operations, Legal Counsel, and Store Manager. As a lawyer, Bill helped clients with lawsuits, business mergers, and technology agreements. Bill graduated from Howard University with a Business Management degree and earned his law degree from the University of Kentucky. He completed his Masters in Divinity in 2024. Bill serves his community through organizations like Boy Scouts of America and Junior Achievement, and advises the City of Atlanta's AgLanta Brand and the South Atlanta Food Bank.

Join the Conversation:

Don't miss this opportunity to learn and connect. Mark your calendar and join us for an engaging and informative session. Email your questions by Monday, March 17 to hnh@cdcfoundation.org.