Building Connections Across Wards 7 & 8 to Overcome Food Access Inequities
As members of the Community Advisory Board for the Connecting Food Systems to Health Equity project, they’re teaming up to share resources and amplify their impact. Here’s a look at what the Community Advisory Board has been working on together:
Garden Beautification Project at Congress Heights Senior Wellness Center
The Congress Heights Senior Wellness Center recently launched a collaborative garden project led by Community Advisory Board (CAB) members Britnee Bailey, Andre Towner, and Dana Simpson. On April 7th, CAB members and GW team members installed garden beds with the seniors. While planting kale and peppers donated by Green Scheme, residents shared memories of their family farms. The kickoff was supported by fresh produce and resources from DC Central Kitchen. The impact was immediate, with one resident noting, “This produce will last me the whole week.”
Ron Brown’s Horticulture Sciences: Mapping the Future of Food
At Ron Brown College Preparatory High School, the next generation isn't just studying the food system – they are changing it.
Initiated by CAB member Britnee Bailey and educator Travis Bouldin, students in the school’s Horticulture Sciences program engaged in a systems thinking session with GW’s Daniel Chen, Kristen Hayes and Ronnie Webb. The students examined their farm and gardens as a part of the greater food system. They identified how local production lowers carbon and pollution footprints and provides the nutrients needed to combat chronic diseases like diabetes. Looking forward, the students considered how the food system could be improved, including greater coordination to secure sustainable funding, training others how to start school-based garden and farm programs and tailoring their harvests to meet the specific tastes and nutritional needs of their peers.
Celebrating Community & Partnership: Dreaming Out Loud’s 18th Anniversary
To celebrate their 18th anniversary, Dreaming Out Loud (DOL) hosted a "Turn the Kitchen Purple” volunteer shift at DC Central Kitchen. CAB members Cinquan Umar Muhammad and Dana Simpson came together with their respective teams to prepare butternut squash and carrots for the 30 plus public schools DC Central Kitchen serves.
The next day, CAB members joined DOL for the Earth Day Clean-Up at Kelly Miller Farm. The team worked together to prep for Spring Fest – clearing old materials and hauling fresh soil.
Strong Minds + Strong Bodies = Stronger Lives
The Educare DC Health and Wellness Fair brought together 14 local vendors to provide essential services and resources to families and staff. CAB member and Educare Family Engagement Manager Tamisa Brooks coordinated the event, joined by CAB member Dana Simpson and GW’s Ronnie Webb to connect residents with local resources.
Food Justice Letter
CAB members stood up for food justice by submitting testimony to prevent the elimination of the D.C. Food Policy Team and Council as proposed in the mayor’s 2027 budget. Members spoke out to ensure community voices did not lose this critical seat at the table, keeping the focus on healthy food access and long-term equity.