Jen is a Michigander and calls Detroit home. She has served as Executive Director of the Detroit Food Academy for 5 years. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Geography from Colgate University. In 2010, she received a Thomas J. Watson Fellowship to explore the social, economic, and environmental impact of chocolate production on small scale cacao farming communities around the world. Inspired to link young people with farmers close to home, she completed two terms with national service FoodCorps and local organization Food System Economic Partnership (FSEP), connecting cafeterias and classrooms in high needs school districts with local food from Michigan farmers and school gardens. Seeing the need to engage students beyond the school year, Jen co-founded the Detroit Food Academy alongside Noam and Amy, bringing food, business, and learning together. As Executive Director, Jen supports the organization from vision creation to strategic planning and budgeting to administrative functions, food systems education, culture-building, program facilitation, and fun captain-ing.

Yolanda grew up in Lansing, MI and has been in Detroit for the past five years. Yolanda is a lifelong learner who gathers passion from new information. In Lansing, Yolanda worked for ten years as a Program Director. During her last two years, she served the school as a Behavioral Specialist. In 2012, Yolanda and her family (husband and six children) moved to Detroit. Yolanda is the Program Director for Detroit Food Academy. Working with children is not what Yolanda does for a living, it is who she is as a human. Yolanda knows what the danger of unhealthy eating can do in a life, it is her endeavor to eat healthy as well as teach healthy eating to the community. Yolanda is ready to ensure that children are armed with the knowledge that eating well is not just a fad, it is a way to a healthier life, body, and mind.

Kamaria was born in Detroit and has spent majority of her life within the limits of the city. Everything here is representative of nostalgic experiences and very close to her heart. She is attending Schoolcraft College for a degree in early childhood development and has a fierce commitment to improving the conditions of our public schools and the systems in place that allow those conditions to continue. Her main interests are baking and justice. She is so excited and honored to be a part of the DFA team and can not wait to see how these new students and new co-workers impact her life in the most positive of ways.

Julie is an educator, activist, artist, and adventurer that lives on the East Side of 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 at Cesar Chavez Academy High School in Southwest Detroit for the past two school years, and helps support the DFA summer program out of Eastern Market. Julie is passionate about educating young adults about all things food in order to build better and more sustainable food systems within the city. Julie has adopted a philosophy and lifestyle encompassing the idea of “food as healing,” along with an extreme appreciation of the cultural and social histories surrounding food. Recent projects include the opening of a package-free, dry goods and seasonal produce based, bulk food cooperative grocery store in historic East Poletown.

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, FL. While in this position he obtained a culinary certification in plant based nutrition, and got the opportunity to work extensively with nonprofit organizations, schools and children’s museums, teaching cooking and healthy eating classes. Jake’s passion for nutrition education, food security and sustainability lead him back to Michigan as an Americorps Vista, serving a year term with Detroit Food Academy. He is now the Director of DFA’s Small Batch.

Wayne State Alumni with a Bachelor’s in Sociology and a concentration in African American studies, Andrea was born and raised in southeast Michigan. Volunteering and non-profit work have been driving forces in Andreas life since she was a child. She has been working in organic gardens and farms for the past six years to learn about healthy and sustainable food systems. She has also been working in educating youth for the past ten years. Andrea’s passions for cooking, the planet, and education have come to a beautiful intersection through DFA. By advocating for, and uplifting the voices of today’s youth Andrea hopes to have a community oriented relationship with food.

Hassan was raised in Detroit and just recently graduated from Cody High School. Working full time with Small Batch is his dream job. As an aspiring culinary arts chef, he is currently earning his degree in culinary arts at Schoolcraft College.

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 to try new flavors and do exciting things with food.

My name is De’Shawn Lindsay I am 19 years old and I was born and raised in Detroit, MI in a single parent household, being the youngest of 3 siblings. My biggest passions are dogs and teaching, but it was until I joined DFA (Detroit Food Academy) that I realized I had a passion for culinary arts and local businesses in my city, causing me to want to create things to help and give back to my city.

Beyonca is a Pre-Kindergarten teacher who adores working with youth. She’s a lover of challenging herself and learning new things, cooking happens to be one of those things that she’s in the middle of learning but she knows that it is something she enjoys to do. She’s the youngest of a family of five, having two older sisters. Detroit is her hometown. People would consider her an introvert because she would rather spend a Friday night at home than go out, “which is true”.😂 She has a beautiful daughter named Naomi❤️. Her favorite things to do in her free time include: exploring nature, relaxing, movies, organizing, spending time with family, and of course playing with her daughter.

My name is Jarrid. I was born and raised in Lansing, Michigan and lived there my whole life pretty much. While in Lansing, I attended Eastern High School, Class of 2010, and after that I attended Lansing Community College for a little bit. Then a couple years later, I went to Career Quest College and graduated in Pharmacy Tech, but as you move forward in life, you realize life can take a lot of different directions. Now it’s led me to Detroit to start a new chapter in life, and I hope it has many great adventures ahead of me, and I hope to make great new friends in the DFA family. My personal life, I’m married for almost 3 years now, I have a beautiful baby girl, my hobbies include sports, drawing, video games, telling jokes, and hanging out with friends.

Marti is a Michigan native who loves food and cats. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Food Science and Nutrition from Wayne State and a Culinary Arts degree from Schoolcraft. Marti is passionate about the food system and dreams to one day be involved in improving Michigan’s agricultural policies. She is determined to educate Detroit’s […]

Jarrell George is a recent graduate of Fraser High School. Jarrell is a charismatic leader who has been involved in everything from Youth and Government to Marching Band. He is working as part of the grocery staff at Whole Foods this summer.

Daimonae Thomas is a rising senior at Tri-County Education Center High School. Daimonae is a passionate and driven individual with an interest in alternative medicine and healing methods. She is working at Brother Nature farm this summer. 

Tremon Williams is a recent graduate of Osborn High School. He will be pursuing his culinary arts degree at Schoolcraft College beginning next year. Tremon is a reliable worker with an amazing sense of humor. He’s working at Detroit Institute of Bagels this summer.

Jordan Grimes is a rising senior at Cass Technical High School. She’s an innovative problem solver and a very creative thinker. Jordan is working with Henry Ford Hospital this summer.

Emerald Green is a rising senior at Denby High School. She’s an energetic and collaborative worker with a genuine desire to learn. Emerald is working with Small Batch this summer, running market stands and selling Mitten Bites, Pop Shop Popsicles and Slow Jams.

Noam earned his Bachelor of Science in Biological Anthropology and his Master of Public Health in Health Policy from the University of Michigan. In 2010, he co-founded a mission-driven fresh food delivery service called Fresh Corner Café L3C, which works to ensure that all Detroiters can easily and always access an affordable healthy meal. In 2014, the Small Business Administration’s SCORE Foundation awarded Noam with the Outstanding Young Entrepreneur of the Year, and, in 2016, he was recognized as one of Forbes’ Magazine’s 30 under 30 Social Entrepreneurs.

As a social entrepreneur, Noam advises on the business and triple bottom line components of the curriculum. As Board President, he is primarily responsible for building networks of support that will allow the Food Academy to realize its full potential as a pillar of Detroit high school education and a renowned product brand (Small Batch Detroit) throughout the Country.

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 guide, build, and run the foundation of the curricula and programmatic aspects of the organization.

Amy has experience as a teacher, instructional coach, policy advisory, community organizer, and works in non-profit management and program creation and implementation. She is dedicated to ensuring all students have access to an equitable education and are college & career ready. She received her B.A. in Journalism and M.A. in Education Policy and Leadership from the University of Michigan.

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