Visionary Voices Food Systems Leadership Network / Wallace Center at Winrock International

In this first season of the Visionary Voices podcast, co-hosts Megan Bucknum and Hannah Mellion sat down with three nationally known and respected food systems leaders and mentors to learn about their personal leadership journeys, seek their advice for creating change, and discuss the value of partnership, mentorship, and leadership.

In this episode, we hear from Malik Yakini, activist, educator, food justice expert, and Executive Director of the Detroit Black Community Food Security Network. Malik's years as an activist in the black liberation movement has informed how he works to promote food sovereignty and racial justice in his communities. From starting and leading the Nsoroma Institute to reflect African culture and history, to establishing D-Town Farms and developing Detroit's food policy, this episode cracks the door into Malik's life story and taps into his wealth of insight and wisdom.

The Visionary Voices podcast was developed by the Wallace Center’s Food Systems Leadership Network.

In this first season of the Visionary Voices podcast, co-hosts Megan Bucknum and Hannah Mellion sat down with three nationally known and respected food systems leaders and mentor to learn about their personal leadership journeys, seek their advice for creating change, and discuss the value of partnership, mentorship, and leadership.

In this episode, Anupama Joshi, co-founder and Executive Director of the National Farm to School Network, discusses her progression into the food movement, recounts how mentorship and peer support over the years have helped her balance the ups and downs of food systems work, and what her vision for the future of the F2S Network is.

The Visionary Voices podcast was developed by the Wallace Center’s Food Systems Leadership Network.

In this first season of the Visionary Voices podcast, co-hosts Megan Bucknum and Hannah Mellion sit down with three nationally known and respected food systems leaders and mentors to learn about their personal leadership journeys, seek their advice for creating change, and discuss the value of partnership, mentorship, and leadership.

In this episode, we hear from Paula Daniels, Co-founder and Chair of the Center for Good Food Purchasing. In her own words, Paula’s journey to co-create this now national organization was “not your typical path.” From her years as an attorney, to those spent working on water policy and in public service, it was the constant and deep connection to her Hawai’ian culture, her family, and the land that ultimately led her to where she is now.

This episode goes beyond one woman’s (huge!) impact on local food systems and teaches us why “learning to surf” can help you capitalize on ideas, create effective and dynamic initiatives, and continue to be invigorated as you ride the waves inherent in this challenging work.

The Visionary Voices podcast was developed by the Wallace Center’s Food Systems Leadership Network.