Kelli has worked in several different pockets of Detroit’s food system. She’s been a farmer, a pierogi purveyor, a soup czar, and a sandwich slinger. Kelli believes that food has been the foundation for all rich and meaningful relationships she’s had with both people and places. She’s from Metro Detroit, and lives in Hamtramck.

My name is Jermond Booze. I’m currently an Associate Store Team Leader for Whole Foods in Midtown Detroit. I’m the owner of Upper Crust – a pizzeria opening 2022, Consulting by June, & 1/3 of Taste of Diaspora Detroit. I’m originally from Little Rock Arkansas and moved to Michigan to attend Eastern Michigan University after […]

Tiffany was raised on the westside of Detroit and is a graduate of Mumford High School. After high school she attended Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Georgia where she received a BA in Communications and then Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan where she earned a MA in Counseling. Having personally experienced many adversities as […]

Daria Beavers, born and raised in Detroit, is a graduate of Henry Ford Academy School for Creative Studies where she learned about the Detroit Food Academy most often referred to as DFA. In her younger years, Daria struggled with weight, not understanding the importance of eating healthy or knowing what it even meant to be […]

My name is Mackenzie Cartwright, I’m a freshman at Michigan State University, I am currently majoring in Hospitality Business. I hope to one day start many businesses, a café being one of them. I joined DFA back in sophomore year of high school, and have had so much fun and so many memories and opportunities […]

My name is Diamond Dantzler. I am a recent Graduate of Henry Ford High School for Creative Studies. I am an aspiring chef. I plan to attend Schoolcraft College to pursue my culinary degree. I am currently a Classroom Coordinator with Detroit Food Academy, and I am a prep cook for Guerilla Food. I love […]

A native of Louisiana, Ederique Goudia is bringing that New Orleans flavor to Detroit’s historic West Village community as the co-owner and Executive Chef of Gabriel Hall, a Cajun and Creole restaurant, bar, and music venue. With over 20 years of experience in the restaurant industry, she also co-founded In the Business of Food, a […]

Chef Shay Goudia, a native of Louisiana, started her culinary journey young. At a very, early age, she was in her mother’s or grandmother’s kitchen watching them cook native Creole/Cajun dishes that she was accustomed to. This would be the start of her incredible journey. As a Hebrew Israelite, she learned to cook a Vegan […]

Hi, my name is Shawndrea, I was born and raised here in Detroit. I’m currently a student at Schoolcraft College majoring in Culinary Arts Baking and Pastry. I stated at DFA in the 11th grade and now I am currently working as the Junior Kitchen Facilitator making all the products. I am excited to continue […]

Tiffiny Jones is currently a mother, companion, mentor, grower, doula, research advocate and health educator in Southwest Detroit. She has over ten years of experience working with youth in various capacities including in-school, the court system, college, mentorship, etc. She is also finishing her degree in Health Education. She has deep rooted interests in mental […]

My name is Shardaya Morse and I am attending Wayne State University to earn my Bachelor’s in Nutrition and Food Science. I am an aspiring chef and nutritionist. I work as a Small Batch Junior for the Detroit Food Academy.

Jen is a Michigander and calls Detroit home. She is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Detroit Food Academy. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Geography from Colgate University and a Master in Business Administration from Michigan State University, where she was a Michigan Non-Profit Association Scholar. In 2010, she received a Thomas […]

Jake graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Dietetics from Central Michigan University in 2012, where his major focuses of study were on community health and sports nutrition. After graduation, he took graduate courses in Nonprofit Organization and Management at Oakland University before accepting the position of Healthy Eating Specialist for Whole Foods Market in Naples, […]

Leading with his sense of humor and curiosity, Rob is a self-styled nerd, birder, and lover of all things sci-fi. A lifelong Michigander, he has nearly a decade of culinary experience in vegetarian cuisine. He received a B.A. in journalism from Wayne State University in 2018, and has since produced content for WDET, The Detroit […]

Le’Genevieve “Vie” Squires is a bonafide foodie with business sense and a contagious smile. She’s a native Detroiter committed to spreading love through mouthwatering meals, intimate interactions and top notch customer service. Vie’s love of food expanded during her undergraduate studies in Food and CPG Marketing at Western Michigan University. From there, it accompanied her […]

Julie is an educator and adventurer living and working in Detroit. Planted in the swamplands of Northern Ohio, she grew roots in Appalachia, bore fruit in the Windy City, and finally has begun a ripening process in the fertile lands of Detroit City, USA. She has been working with Detroit Food Academy since 2013. Julie […]

Amy Berkhoudt is passionate about building innovative educational communities where kids and adults feel capable of changing their lives and the world. During her time as an high school ELA teacher in Detroit, she began exploring new educational opportunities for her students beyond the traditional classroom. She co-founded Detroit Food Academy in 2011, helping to […]

Patti Aaron, Whole Heart Group
Joe Gaglio, Deloitte
Yodit Mesfin Johnson, Non-profit Enterprise at Work (NEW)
Jay Rayford, Rep your City
Chris Uhl, Rock Ventures
Crystal Motts, Good People Popcorn
Dan Carmody, Eastern Market
Hedy Blatt, Education Management
Wayne Ramocan, Osborn Neighborhood Alliance
Jessican Nabongo, United Nations Food & Agriculture
Paul Saginaw, Zingermans
Tammy Tedesco, Edibles Rex
David Broner, SCORE – SBA
Michael Graub, Woodward Check Cashing
Marshall Rader, Gluten Free Bar