Staff, Board, Partnerships & Collaborations
Kevin Jackson, Youth Entrepreneurship/ Program Assistant
Born in East Oakland, spent most of his adolesence playing and watching sports. KEvin’s parents were always very supportive and wanted him change the world through fulfilling his own dreams. Kevin always knew one thing, “that I love me some food; the texture, smell, and taste always drew me in.” At age 16, he found an summer employment opportunity through Y.E.P. (Youth Employment Partnership), where after expressing interest in being a chef, he then received an internship with Oakland Food Connection, where he has been doing Food Justice work for the last 3 years. Kevin in now involved in numerous youth Food Justice venture projects throughout Oakland to make Oakland a better place.
Paul Walker, Community Outreach/Program Assistant
Paul Walker was born and raised in North Oakland and current resides in East Oakland. In his spare time, Paul loves to listen music, dance and meet new people. Most of what Paul enjoys doing best is, ” putting da town on da map” in a positive way by promoting positive businesses, food justice and connecting people to positive opportunities. Paul’s positive energy and glowing smile is are infectious, instantly inspiring people to open up and smile in return.
OFC Board, Committees & Advisors:
OFC is currently seeking 6 new Board members!
IMMEDIATE ACTION: Apply to be on OFC’s Board (download OFC’s Board application):
What kind of experience & qualities are looking for:
- Fundraisers/Fund Development/Event Planners
- Legal/Real Estate
- Experienced Business Owners/Nonprofit Development
- Medical Field: Nurses, Doctors, Holistic Health Practicioners
- Educators: teachers/administrators
- Food Systems Experience
- Hard working, compassionate, driven, confident, can work confidently independently or in a group, results and process driven.
OFC’s current board:
Andrea Mok, (rejoined board in 2011, bio & pic coming soon).
David Funkhouser: Oakland, CA, Trasfair USA, Treasurer is Strategic Outreach Coordinator at TransFair USA, an Oakland-based non-profit that certifies and promotes Fair Trade products. TransFair’s mission is to build a more equitable and sustainable model of international trade that benefits producers, consumers, industry, and the earth. Previous experience has included work on Africa and Latin America with the American Friends Service Committee, a Quaker-based development and relief organization; education and organizing work on Central America issues; and parish ministry and faith-based community organizing in the Episcopal Church.
Rowan Driscoll Oakland Biology/Chemistry teacher, CA, Secretary. Rowan teaches three Biology and two Chemistry courses to sophomores and juniors respectively at Unity High School. The class sizes are small and skill centered with a focus on practical understanding of concepts. Rowan advised twenty students from freshmen year until graduation with a focus on scholastic skills, community building and college preparation. Involved in multiple facets of school operation including programming, staffing and funding
Rowan also served as a counselor for children ranging from eight to eighteen. Responsibilities included ropes course leader, coordinator of Counselor in Training (C.I.T.) program, which culminated in a managed apprenticeship for high school seniors. He also served as coordinator of the camper in leadership training (C.I.L.T.) program preparing 14-15 year old campers for a three day camper led hike through Desolation Wilderness in El Dorado National Park.
Annette Hougabook, Divine Connections, Oakland, CA. I am self- employed and volunteer at a youth outreach program in my neighborhood. I love my city, my church, and have been a community activist for over 10 yrs. I have worked in various fields; ranging from aircraft mechanic to advocating for a healthy, safe, community / environment for all.
Olivia Nava, recently moved on from her position as a Program Officer at the Community Clinics Initiative (CCI), a joint program of Tides and The California Endowment. CCI is committed to attaining health equity for traditionally underserved communities through grant making, field building, collaboration, learning and reflection. Olivia began her career working in HIV/AIDS education and prevention programming as a development instructor in Mozambique, Africa. Over the years, Olivia has developed a passion for attaining health equity, particularly focusing on women and youth, in addition to examining the social determinants of health in underserved communities. She spent two years as a volunteer health educator for the Women’s Community Clinic in San Francisco and currently volunteers her time at Oakland-based organizations, namely, WORLD (Women Organized to Respond to Life-threatening Diseases) and the Oakland Food Connection. She received her BA from UCLA in Classical Civilization and is currently completing the Business Administration certificate program through the University of California Extension.
Kristin Reynolds, PhD. Oakland, CA. I first learned about environmental justice when I attended a demonstration for Native America community rights when I was in high school in Minnesota. Since then I have been driven to affect change related to environment, justice, agriculture, and food. I began this work through international agricultural sciences which led me to work with farms and farmers in France and West Africa. I came to California in 2003 for graduate study in International Agricultural Development. During this time I was able to work with the UC Small Farm Program on projects related to women farmers and agricultural tourism. Most recently, I have worked on urban agriculture, action research and food justice through my doctoral program at UC Davis. Beyond my professional pursuits, I also enjoy sharing food. I am fortunate enough to grow vegetables in my own backyard in Oakland and keep bees at a nearby urban farm.
OFC Working Committees
OFC’s committees are run by our Board members. They each consist of small working groups, 2-4 people, who work with our board and executive director in planning our activities to meet our goals. If you wish to join a committee, contact the Board member assigned the particular committee you’re interested in for more details.
I. Advisory
II. Fundraising
III. Programs
IV. Donor Development
Local Businesses we have a supportive relationship with:
These businesses have a history of supporting our mission:
Mandela Foods Cooperative
Farmer Joes
Trattoria Laurellinos
Amanda’s Restaurant
Flaco’s Vegan Mexican Cusine
The Reuse People
Partnerships:
Partnership: (defined) a contract between two or more persons who agree to pool talent, money and share profits/loss in a common vision.
East Oakland Boxing Assoc. 2010.
J&P Organics, 2009
Salee Farms, 2010
Hidden Star Orchards, 2010
Mandela Marketplace, 2010
Laurel District Business Assoc, 2009-11
Oakland unity High School, 2005-2011
E. C. Reems Academy, 2007
Thurgood Marshall Elementary, 2010
Collaboration: (defined) the “act” of working jointly.
Institutions we have a history of collaborating with:
Oakland Food Policy Council
Bay Localize
Soul of the City.
City Slicker Farms.
HOPE Collaborative.
Oakland SOL (Sustaining ourselves locally)
City of Oakland Parks and Recreation
