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.

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 […]

Jermond Booze is the Classroom Facilitator for DFA’s Advanced Cohort. He has been an Associate Store Team Leader for Whole Foods in Midtown Detroit. He’s also the owner of Upper Crust (a pizzeria opening 2022), Consulting by June, and one third of Taste of Diaspora Detroit. He’s originally from Little Rock, Arkansas and moved to […]

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 […]

Erin comes with a wide range of experience in the food and education field. She is a certified Teacher with the State of Michigan; and has been teaching Mathematics for the last 7 years. Erin is the Co-founder of Nurturing Our Seeds, an urban farm and education center that focuses on growing healthy food, food […]

Kaylyn was born and raised in Detroit. Ever since she was young she’s had an interest in cooking and baking as a pleasant pastime and enjoyable form of self-expression. Creativity and expression mean a lot to her. Kaylyn joined DFA during her first year in high school on impulse and stayed since then. Food is […]

Diamond is a recent Graduate of Henry Ford High School for Creative Studies. She’s an aspiring chef, and plans to attend Schoolcraft College to pursue a culinary degree. Diamond loves to try new flavors and do exciting things with food.

Chef Shay Goudia, a native of Louisiana, started her culinary journey young in her family’s kitchen watching them cook native Creole/Cajun dishes she grew up on. Also true to her roots, she’s a Spiritualist and Curator of Spiritrois, and merges the concept of healing through many different platforms.

In addition to his role, Vince is a chef and budding entrepreneur who sees the world through the lens of food. He grew up cooking with his mom, enjoying large family dinners with his Italian grandparents, and obsessed with the food network. He is fascinated by what we eat and the story behind the foods […]

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.

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 […]