A Network Rooted in Relationships & Accountability

Our work is grounded in deep relationships as co-stewards, with institutional partners within the collaborative and across the country and the world. We are grateful for advisors and accountability partners who walk alongside us and help hold us accountable to our shared vision.

Our co-stewards serve as anchors across key areas of our work: bringing together fellows and partners; supporting evaluation design and participatory research; and building external relationships that are values-aligned, move the work forward and usher in the resources needs to inform the future of the work. Their leadership ensures that our efforts stay connected to both the broader field and the people at the center of this work.

Noel Didla

Co-Steward, Center for Mississippi Food Systems
Liz Broussard Red

Co-Steward, Center for Mississippi Food Systems
Alex Lawson

Co-Steward, Center for Mississippi Food Systems
Asha Tillman

Co-Steward, Center for Mississippi Food Systems

Our Partners

Our work is rooted in collaboration with a wide network of partners—grassroots organizations, tribal nations, academic institutions, media makers, and financial allies—who bring essential knowledge, relationships, and accountability to the table. From policy development and research to storytelling and infrastructure planning, these partners help turn our vision into reality.

Together, they form the backbone of a statewide ecosystem committed to justice. Their contributions make it possible to move with integrity, build across regions, and ensure that our work stays rooted in the communities most impacted by Mississippi’s food system inequities.

Mississippi Food Systems Fellows: The individuals who have been invested in for the last five years

Tomika Bell

Choctaw, Mississippi
Cathy Timm

Choctaw, Mississippi
Shakur Jennings

Mississippi Gulf Coast
Ebony James

Central Mississippi
Artis Burney

Mississippi Gulf Coast
Corrina Burney

Mississippi Gulf Coast
Dyranda Jimmie

Choctaw, Mississippi
Alexis Woods

Mississippi Delta
Tyra Slaughter

Mississippi Delta
Lucannie Commings

Mississippi Delta
Alexcia Givens

Mississippi Delta
Lauren Lewis

Central Mississippi
Robbie Pollard

Mississippi Delta
Amaria Christian

Mississippi Gulf Coast
Umi Jenkins

Mississippi Gulf Coast
LeBroderick Woods

Central Mississippi
Otis Wright

Central Mississippi
Sarah Medlock

Choctaw, Mississippi
Derrick Johnson

Central Mississippi
Anna Denson

Choctaw, Mississippi
Tyler Yarbrough

Mississippi Delta

Mississippi Food Justice Collaborative: The Statewide Institutional Network we’ve been strengthening for the last nine years

The Mississippi Food Justice Collaborative began as a partnership with NCAT to deepen community-led responses to food system inequities across the state. What started as a grant-supported initiative has grown into a foundation for long-term collaboration, grounding our work in shared values, regional knowledge, and a commitment to justice. This collaborative laid the groundwork for CMFS, connecting organizers, researchers, farmers, and advocates to co-create strategies rooted in repair, resilience, and self-determination.