Shy Palmer is a proud Raleigh native, deeply rooted in the vibrant tapestry of her community. With an unwavering commitment to fostering unity and empowerment among people of color, she has dedicated her life to uplifting those around her.

A Passion for Teaching and Agricultural Training: Shy's journey is marked by her fervent passion for teaching and agricultural training. Over the past five years, she has blossomed into a formidable urban farmer, sharing her knowledge and skills with others to cultivate self-sufficiency and resilience.

A Champion of Community Organizing: Shy's impact extends far beyond the garden. Her extensive experience in community organizing has empowered marginalized communities to raise their voices and advocate for positive change. She understands that true transformation starts with a unified community.

Expertise in Community Garden Management: With a strong focus on community garden management, Shy has been instrumental in creating thriving green spaces that bring people together, nourish bodies and souls, and promote sustainable living.

A Heart for Nonprofit Work: Shy Palmer has also dedicated herself to nonprofit work, leveraging her talents to address pressing issues within her community. Her tireless efforts have helped raise awareness, mobilize resources, and drive meaningful change where it matters most.

In Shy Palmer, we find a tireless advocate, a dedicated educator, and a passionate urban farmer, all committed to making the world a better place. Her journey exemplifies the power of community and the enduring impact of individuals who champion the causes they hold dear.

Farmer Afraka is a North Carolina native, dedicated mother of four, lifelong learner, and community service advocate with a Bachelors of Science from Winston-Salem State University. With a strong passion for fostering growth, both in people and communities, she has served as a former 4-H parent volunteer, a community garden organizer, and a small business owner. As the owner of Old 30 Dirty Family Farm in Jacksonville, NC, Afraka is committed to sustainable farming practices and believes in the power of food as a tool for health, wealth, and social change.

Her farm specializes in growing a variety of crops, including herbs, edible flowers, garlic, onions, and ginger. In addition to farming, Old 30 Dirty Family Farm offers a welcoming space for BIPOC and small farmers, and community members to gather, practice wellness, and engage in educational opportunities about farming, agriculture, and entrepreneurship.

Outside of her work on the farm, Afraka enjoys spending time at the beach, exploring nature, traveling, and savoring delicious food. She makes a great addition to the Reclamation FARMacy board as she is deeply passionate about creating connections within her community and fostering a healthier, more sustainable future for all.

Demi Tucker is a land steward and 5th generation farmer. After departing from a career in corporate Nutrition in 2020, she combined her hobby of growing mushrooms and passion for nutrition and created The Uyoga Farm. The Uyoga Farm focuses on growing a variety of gourmet mushrooms and mushroom-based products, while educating her community on their health benefits. In addition, she is deeply committed to continuing ancestral agrarian ways, furthering community resiliency and ultimately achieving food sovereignty for all. 

Demi makes a great addition to the Reclamation FARMacy board as Board Vice President, serving on both the Budget and Finance Committee and the Programs and Education committee. She is deeply committed to Reclamation FARMacy’s mission of  community building, and bolstering agricultural knowledge for the BIPOC population.

Diamond was born in raised in rural southeastern North Carolina. It was in her rural community that Diamond's passion for sustainability and communities of color bloomed into a goal of bridging the gap of sustainability in communities of color. In 2020, she obtained her Bachelor's from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she double majored in Business Administration and African American Studies with a Minor in Sustainability Studies. Diamond continued her education at Wake Forest University where she obtained her Master of Accountancy in 2021 and became a licensed CPA in 2022. Diamond is now a Senior Audit Associate at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP within their Trust Solutions Private group in Charlotte, NC. In addition to her audit work, Diamond is active in her church's Kids ministry, Heart Math Tutoring, First Tee of Greater Charlotte, NABA, and an active CMS volunteer.

Dr. Shelton is a Black feminist writer, teacher, and thinker who works as an Assistant Professor of Language, Writing, and Rhetoric in the Department of English at the University of Maryland, College Park. Her research centers the expertise and agency of Black people, who use Black cultural and rhetorical practices to communicate their technical skills and professionalism. Professionally, Cecilia comes to food justice work in response to her intellectual and political commitments to justice; she is also personally inspired to contribute to food justice work out of deep reverence for her own ancestral ties to Black farming in Eastern North Carolina.

Jennifer earned a BA in Public Policy Analysis with a Minor in Spanish for the Professions (Business Concentration) from UNC Chapel Hill, and obtained a Master of Public Administration (Organizational Leadership Concentration) from North Carolina State University. A public servant dedicated to connecting with others for good, Jennifer served as an alumni relations professional for 10 years prior to joining the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina where she serves as a Major Gifts Officer. An avid home gardener and Chatham County native, she is committed to ensuring no one goes hungry and firmly believes that the key to ending food insecurity is not only sharing your financial treasures with others, but also raising up a generation of children with the necessary skills for self sufficiency. In her spare time, you can find her spending time with her husband, chasing their five kids, reading, playing the piano, or somewhere in the backyard planting seeds.

In 2017, after realizing they wanted out of the rat race, the Cottens took on a Craigslist Ad to work in a Flower shop. After spending a week with flowers they knew they wanted to farm flowers and grow flowers. They then set out on a 6 year journey that led them to sustainable agriculture school and jobs on multiple farms, a feature in Black Flora, a book dedicated to BIPOC flower growers and floral enthusiasts, and at the beginning of 2023 starting their own farm business: CottenPicked LLC. Also in that time they were introduced to the world of food insecurity and land inequality that plagues and abundance of our black community. With that newfound knowledge, they knew with the position they had built in the agricultural space, they needed to do more to advocate for black farmers. Serving on multiple boards and committees such as Triangle Land Conservancy/Good Grounds Committee, which helps BIPOC farmers acquire affordable farm land, and Chatham County Fairgrounds Association, the oldest black organized agricultural and industrial fair in the state of NC. That all leads to why they are passionate about serving with Reclamation FARMacy and look forward to building our communities one seed at a time.

Randolph Keaton is from Bladen county, with a BA from A&T and a Master's from Webster University. He has over 30 years of experience in the Human Services field, having worked for organizations such as the New Hanover County Department of Social Services, Columbus County Mental Health and the Wilmington Housing Authority. His love of rural communities drives his passion of service. He currently serves as the Executive Director of Men and Women United for Youth and Families, CDC, a non-profit organization located in Delco, North Carolina as well as Councilman for the Town Of Sandyfield, NC.

Mr. Keaton is a graduate of the Rural Economic Development Institute class 24 as well as Leadership North Carolina Class 28. In 2018, he was honored by the North Carolina Rural Center as NC Rural Leader of the Year. Mr. Keaton serves on numerous boards to include Reclamation FARMacy, the North Carolina Rural Center, Columbus County Community Foundation, The Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina and The North Carolina Community Garden Partners Advisory Board.

His passion for farming was instilled in him by his parents. He is from a family of 12 children who learned to work hard in the tobacco fields in Columbus County. He is proud of the legacy that his ancestors have forged for him. Having a century farm calls him to work with other likeminded people who understand the importance of preserving Black family land, hence his commitment to Reclamation FARMacy.

Chris, a Fayetteville, North Carolina native and graduate of one of the nation's finest Historical Black Colleges and Universities, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, is a four time award-winning and 16-time award nominated youth program director, a strong advocate for youth and a lifelong public servant, by way of his extensive work in the community and continued work with youth and young adults. Chris has served in roles as Youth Development Directors, has worked in Communications with the National Football League's Carolina Panthers and has served with a myriad of youth leadership and service organizations such as Upward Bound, Big Brothers Big Sisters, the YMCA, National Youth Sports Program and others. Chris currently serves as the Associate Executive Director at the YMCA.

In 2020, Chris and his family cleared a quarter acre of land at his home to farm on and teach others how to grow their own food, with a focus on food security and sustainability, after helping to lead a highly successful culinary arts partnership for youth. His passion for community building and farming aligns with the values of Reclamation FARMacy.

Quintin Byrd is a Greensboro native that serves as the founding and managing member of Q Byrd Law, located in Raleigh. His firm focuses on appellate litigation, employment law, and administrative law. Attorney Byrd completed his undergraduate program at UNC Chapel Hill and received his J.D. from North Carolina Central University School of Law. He is a passionate musician and more passionate about serving people. Attorney Byrd formed a neighborhood tutoring program while still in law school and, whether at church or in his local community, loves to find ways to make positive change.

Attorney Byrd’s interest in the organization stems from his work with youth and his practice. In creating neighborhood tutoring programs and volunteering in schools, he has seen the impact of food access on youth, particularly in low-income neighborhoods. As a substantial portion of his law practice involves advising small and minority-owned businesses, is well-positioned to serve on the Board of Reclamation FARMacy.

Shenise currently serves as the Director of Development for Duke School, an independent school in Durham, North Carolina. She leads their fundraising department and is charged with transforming the Culture of Philanthropy, successfully concluding the Capital Campaign, securing and stewarding major gifts, and guiding the team’s annual fund and alumni relations efforts.

Shenise has served as the Director of Development for the Horizons-Upward Bound (HUB) program at the prestigious Cranbrook Schools in Michigan,  and Development Manager for the Alzheimer’s Association Michigan Chapter.

Shenise graduated from Oakland University Honors College with a B. A. in communication and a minor in journalism. She holds a certificate in diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace from the University of South Florida Muma College of Business. Shenise was the Charter Vice President of the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society and sat on a number of boards before moving, including the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Greater Detroit Chapter (AFP GDC); Camp Casey, Farmington, MI; and Southwest Solutions, Detroit, MI.

Shenise continues to make the Triangle her home. She is a Goodmon Fellow with Leadership Triangle, a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and proudly serves on the board for the AFP Triangle Chapter as co-chair for the IDEA committee. She finds community in hiking, reading, gardening, and dining. She proudly boasts that she’s Bull City Strong, and looks forward to connecting with more folx, exploring the vast state, and planting even deeper roots in the area. She has a passion for Black sustainability and agriculture, and looks forward to helping Reclamation FARMacy advance our mission.

Shantell is an urban farmer doing the unimaginable in her own backyard—growing fresh produce, beekeeping, and composting to promote sustainability. With seven years of experience, she transforms nature’s bounty into delicious jams, spreads, and pickled items while also crafting non-toxic household products from her beehives. Passionate about sharing her work, she often sells her handmade goods at local farmers' markets.

Shantell is a member of Women of Color Farmers Network and is a collaborative partner on a funding project to support Reclamation FARMacy’s work. She is excited to join Reclamation FARMacy’s board of directors as she is passionate about community, sustainability, and food justice.

Michael Brown, Esquire, is the Executive Director of Sustaining Way. A native of Spartanburg, Michael served 12 years as the District One Representative for Spartanburg County Council, was the first African American Vice-Chair and chaired the Public Safety and Judiciary Committee. Michael was a member of the Economic Development Committee working on projects that resulted in over $8 billion in development and over 22k jobs created in his time on council. A trained apiarist certified in Sustainable Agriculture and Permaculture, Michael serves on the Boards of Directors for Reclamation FARMacy, the South Carolina Food Policy Network, and the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association. 

Michael is a 2021 Graduate of the Energy Industry Focused E4 Carolinas Emerging Energy Leaders Academy. He works daily to combat the reality of food deserts in communities throughout the state. As a recognized environmental justice advocate, Michael champions sustainable approaches in community resiliency through energy policy reforms, implementation of efficient energy alternatives in low income communities, affordable housing innovation and transformative healthy lifestyle practices. Michael’s passion about helping to “heal the land” propelled him to start in 2019 a regenerative urban farm, Roots of Life. He is very excited to join the Reclamation FARMacy!