Nikki Henderson - Food, Justice and Jobs

http://www.connectingforchange.org The food system in America still needs work to provide affordable, healthy, culturally appropriate foods for everyone in need. Communities across the country are doing that work, and reaping the benefits of the new space Michelle Obama and others have created for the "food access" conversation. Now, it's our job to take that space and create wealth, health, and jobs for the most vulnerable Americans.

Nikki is the Executive Director of People's Grocery in West Oakland, CA. Under her leadership, the organization has launched a new strategic campaign focused on revitalizing the economy of West Oakland through all aspects of the food system, from production to distribution, and leveraging the power of local nutrition education and major health institutions to reduce obesity, diabetes, and other major health ailments.

Before People's Grocery, Nikki worked closely with Van Jones and Phaedra Ellis Lamkins at Green for All, fighting for a green economy strong enough to lift people out of poverty. She also worked for Slow Food USA, in Brooklyn, NY, where President Josh Viertel came to regard her as an "extraordinary leader with a vision for how food and urban farming can be tools of empowerment." In 2010, Nikki was featured in ELLE Magazine as one of the five Gold Awardees.