Equity and Access Co-Design Lab: Creating the Foundation for a Just and Equitable Food System in Michigan
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EmailThe Equity and Access Design Lab series, facilitated by the Michigan Local Food Council Network, convened food and farming leaders to practice collaborative leadership focused on amplifying collective power across communities of color.
Between April and October 2024, Keesa V. Johnson, MDes., Kolia Souza, and Renee Wallace of the Michigan Local Food Council Network (MLFCN) facilitated an Equity and Access Co-Design Lab series with leaders from across Michigan’s food systems. This effort explored the possibility of collaboratively building a statewide food systems leadership initiative. By utilizing an asset-based community design approach, the lab series focused on amplifying collective power across Black, Indigenous, and communities of color.
“I witnessed seven leaders from across the state, who never knew each other become allies and friends through an intense desire for liberation,” Johnson, Food Systems Strategy Design Specialist, said. “Our lab space was not only a setting to innovate, but it also displayed the importance of building relationships before we need them.”
With experiences ranging from sectors across the state, the participants discussed the feasibility of developing a future full-scale leadership initiative.
The Co-Design Team:
- Devon Wilson, Sunlight Gardens and Farmacy, Battle Creek
- Miles Wood, Keep Growing Detroit, Detroit
- Shara Trierweiler, Agape Organic Farms, Lansing
- Athena McKay, Flint Innovative Solutions, Flint
- Dazmonique Carr, Deeply Rooted Produce, Detroit
- Amarachi W., Greater Flint Health Coalition, Flint
- Jon Kent, Sanctuary Farm, Detroit
These participants operated in this process as co-designers; this means they actively led the design through gathering information, building trust, developing skill-building opportunities, and identifying resources. All participants in this process were compensated for their time, which included lodging and meals during in-person activities.
“I wanted to bring together very formidable and visionary minds in one space to see what they would create, to see what support they needed and barriers they came across to be who they are as leaders today,” Johnson said. “A co-design lab’s focus is on bringing together lived experience, lived expertise and professional experience to learn from each other and make things better - by design.”
How it worked
Throughout the series in 2024, invited food systems changemakers from across the state convened through a mix of group and individual sessions with MLFCN facilitators. The Equity and Access Design Lab series began with a half day virtual orientation session in April. This initial meeting allowed participants to discuss grounding principles and outline how they will work together as leaders. These creative work sessions aimed to empower current food systems leaders to collaborate towards positive changes in the food system and to implement strategies to equalize oppressive power structures.
Following this orientation, a two day in-person workshop was held in June at the Detroit Partnership for Food, Learning, and Innovation (DPFLI) and Oakland Avenue Urban Farm. This retreat explored the current roles of these food systems leaders and allowed space for the group to share their visions for the future. Through discussions on skills, connections, and values, the group worked towards outlining a supportive program prototype for future food systems leaders.
Looking Ahead
Through cultivating trust and fostering collective action, the Equity and Access Design Lab series created a space for leaders to practice collaborative leadership. Through this participatory method, participants shared insights and connections to align on bringing about positive change to the collective. Following this series, each of the participants is taking back valuable skills, ideas, and new relationships to their organizations.
As one example, Flint Innovative Solutions (FIS) will further food sovereignty in their community through a recent Environmental Justice Impact Grant award from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). Their intention is to bolster Flint’s food system through empowering farmers and community members of color by building upon the existing work of the Flint and Genesee Local Food Council, Flint Eats app, and MLFCN. Through supporting the Local Food Council, they will increase staff capacity to enable programming for a Flint Regional Food Summit. In turn, they will also invest in community gardens throughout the city. These gardens will be featured through updates to the Flint Eats mobile app that offers community generated insights into healthy food options. Additionally, FIS will extend the operational funding capacity building opportunities from the MLFCN to farmers in the area. This emphasis on improving food access and increasing economic opportunity will create a stronger and more equitable local food system in the Flint area.
Going forward, the co-design team leaders will have tangible impacts on their communities utilizing the resources and insights from this lab series. Through the newly forged relationships and connections, they will create a positive change in Michigan as a collective.
This work is made possible through funding from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. The Michigan Health Endowment fund works to improve the health and wellness of Michigan residents and reduce the cost of healthcare, with a special focus on children and seniors. You can find more information about the Health Fund at mihealthfund.org
About the Michigan Local Food Council Network (MLFCN)
The Michigan Local Food Council Network (MLFCN) is a network coordinated through the Center for Regional Food Systems at Michigan State University. The MLFCN supports local food councils across Michigan in their efforts to build stronger, more equitable food systems through education, training, and advocacy.
Learn more at foodsystems.msu.edu/localfoodcouncil
About Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems
The Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems advances regionally-rooted food systems through applied research, education, and outreach. We do this by uniting the knowledge and experience of diverse stakeholders with that of MSU faculty and staff. Our work fosters a thriving economy, equity, and sustainability for Michigan, the nation, and the planet by advancing systems that produce food that is healthy, green, fair, and affordable.
Learn more at foodsystems.msu.edu
