Message From The Founder

I have been thinking a lot about collective care and how I can show up for Black communities. To me that looks like providing cash directly to folks. Supporting with utility bills. Providing fresh produce and prepared meals. Providing access to communal green spaces and housing. Learning and understanding how to support someone having a mental health emergency. Doing what you can with the resources you currently have.

Now how do we scale this up into systems large enough to support areas like North St. Louis City and County? For Ujima that looks like a collective of incredible human beings that discover a need and respond in real time.

For the first time since we launched our urban farm, all the houses on our block are occupied. Not because developers fixed up the vacant homes. Not because our neighbors were able to get housing support. Most of them still have tarps on their roofs. Black people, Black families are still dealing with the ramifications of last year’s tornado.

Ms. Lisa is from a small town in Mississippi. She is one of so many that were displaced last year. She does what people do when faced with impossible circumstances, fight for survival. I wish everyday that I could completely rehab the place she’s in, get her full health insurance and a car. That is not my capacity currently. But what can I do right now? I can give her cash directly. I can get her fresh produce from the farm. I can purchase hot meals for her to eat. I can give her trash bags and cleaning supplies.

People like Natasha, our Mental Wellness Support Staff has been able to support Ms. Lisa as well. From providing water, proteins, and shelf stable food items, supporting with access to medical care and utility bills, or just stopping by to catch up. In addition to supporting our neighbors, Tasha shows up for our The Sunflower Institute Alumni in a major way! She can respond if any of our alumni have a mental health emergency in real time. She provides grocery gift cards if they need food. She hosts wellness workshops to our network and provides support to families as needed.

People like Rebecca, one of our board members, helped us secure transportation the last few years for our annual camping trips. It also helps to have an extra adult who can swim and is familiar with going on float trips. Despite losing critical funding and sponsorships, we have still been able to explore places like Bourbon, Cuba and this year Eminence!

I can keep going, but I’ve talked enough. Long story, short, I love our team. “WE THE BEST!” DJ Khaled voice

Peace and gratitude,

Nick Speed

We’re Growing More Than Food.

This Black Philanthropy Month, we’re inviting you to invest in something bigger than a farm.

At Ujima, we believe every community deserves access to fresh food, safe green spaces, meaningful opportunities, and hope for the future. That’s why we’re transforming vacant land in North St. Louis into George Washington Carver Farms; a place where food grows, youth are empowered, neighbors connect, and communities heal.

Every seed planted, every young person employed, every vacant lot reimagined, and every meal shared is possible because people choose to invest in this work.

Your gift helps us expand fresh food access, create paid opportunities for youth, restore our environment, and continue building a healthier, stronger North St. Louis.

No matter the amount, you’re helping us grow something that will sustain future generations.

This isn’t just a donation. We are sowing justice and collective care!

Join us this Black Philanthropy Month as we continue to cultivate community through food justice, environmental stewardship and youth empowerment.

2026 Black Philanthropy Month Campaign

Sowing Justice & Collective Care