Earlier this month, SAFSF and Detroit Black Food Sovereignty Network (DBCFSN) co-hosted a powerful one-day event focused on transformative food justice initiatives. Funders, community leaders, and advocates gathered at the Detroit Food Commons, a community-owned co-operative grocery store and multi-use facility developed by DBCFSN—to explore the intersection of health equity, sustainable economic growth, and community self-determination.

The event highlighted the transformative potential of community-led food systems in addressing systemic inequities. Attendees engaged with critical themes, such as health and wealth disparities impacting frontline communities, the importance of community-driven solutions, and the essential role funders must play in driving long-term, systemic change. By showcasing actionable strategies and on-the-ground examples, this event equipped funders and partners with the tools to support community-led food systems, while advancing health equity, economic empowerment, and justice through the lens of sovereignty.

We want to give our appreciation to all our collaborators, facilitators and speakers for sharing their wisdom with us:

• Ali Anderson, Founder and Co-Executive Director of Partnerships and Development, Feed Black Futures
• Ashley Atkinson, Co-Director, Farm and Market Operations, Keep Growing Detroit
• Cicely Garrett, Co-Executive Director, National Black Food and Justice Alliance
• Gi’Anna Cheairs, Chief Financial Officer & Co-Executive Director, Detroit Black Community Food Sovereignty Network (DBCFSN)
• Haven Leeming, Senior Program Officer, Builders Initiative
• jøn kent, Co-Founder, Sanctuary Farms
• Kate Levin Markel, President, McGregor Fund
• Lolita Nunn, Director of Programs and Investor Relations, Potlikker Capital 
• Mariela Cedeño, Steering Committee + Partner, Manzanita Capital Collective, Equitable Food Oriented Development (EFOD) 
• Monica Valdes Lupi, Managing Director, Health Program, The Kresge Foundation
• Myrtle Thompson, Founder, Feedom Freedom Growers
• Olivia Watkins, Co-Founder & Interim President, Black Farmer Fund 
• Patrice Brown, Associate Director of Urban Agriculture, City of Detroit
• Chef Phil Jones,The Black Food Project
• Renee Wallace, Operations and Portfolio Director, Food Plus Detroit
• Richard Elm-Hill, Senior Program Officer, Native Agriculture and Food Systems Investments, First Nations Development Institute 
• Dr. shakara tyler, Co-Executive Director, Detroit Black Community Food Sovereignty Network (DBCFSN)
• Winona Bynum, Executive Director, Detroit Food Policy Council

Five Key Takeaways

1. Community Ownership as a Model for Justice and Resilience

The Detroit Food Commons exemplifies the success of a community-led initiative that builds equitable and resilient food systems. When community ownership is supported, it ensures that resources remain in local hands, fostering self-determination and economic empowerment. 

4. Food Systems Funding Must Move From A Focus On Security to Sovereignty

“Food is the cover story, liberation is the real gig” – DBCFSN Founder Malik Yakini as quoted by Dr. shakara tyler. Food sovereignty and community self-determination must be the ultimate goal, shifting focus from short-term food security or even food access. As Cicely Garrett with the National Black Food and Justice Alliance, stated, “Justice is the work you need to do first in order to get to sovereignty.” Currently, funding continues to be distributed inequitably with a large majority allocated to food security efforts and a much smaller portion for food justice and sovereignty. There needs to be a mental shift for funders to expand their funding into the latter two in order to achieve longer-term impact. Investing in sovereignty fosters culturally relevant food systems, reduces dependency on emergency interventions, and addresses root causes of inequity.

5. Integrating Policy as a Lever for Change

Sustained funding for policy advocacy at a grassroots level is essential for fostering self-determination and equity in frontline communities. As Winona Bynum and Phil Jones of the Detroit Food Policy Council noted, policy advocacy is often about getting regulation caught up with what communities are already doing and need (for example, last week’s policy win was an updated policy on livestock in Detroit.) Support for more coordination between local and national organizations on policy advocacy efforts, as well as cultivating inside champions such as offices of food policy, can lead to more effective and inclusive policy outcomes at all levels of government. 

Call to Action for Funders

“We need funders to be bold, audacious, systems-thinking boundary spanners!” -Renee Wallace, FoodPlus Detroit

Shifting Power: Funding Justice in Food Systems 

Investing in food sovereignty isn’t just about feeding people – it’s about addressing systemic inequities and building transformational solutions. Real change demands reparative action: returning land to Indigenous and marginalized communities, reforming heirs’ property laws to stop generational land loss, and empowering communities to reclaim their food system. 

Trust Communities to Lead: Embrace Trust-Based Philanthropy

Shift power by building authentic relationships with grassroots organizations. Listen to their needs, trust them to guide the work, and support them with resources – without strings attached. Funders need to be “on tap and not on top.”  Simplify grant processes, offer technical assistance, and connect grantees with other funders and peer networks to expand their funding opportunities. Empower your grantees by demystifying philanthropy and ways to obtain more resources for their work. Trust is the foundation of transformational change.  

Fuel Innovation and Share the Risk 

“We need funders to be bold, audacious, systems-thinking boundary spanners!” Renee Wallace, FoodPlus Detroit. The Detroit Food Commons is a great example of believing in the community’s most radical vision. That vision became a reality with the investment of $22 million from philanthropy, community finance, and individual donors. However, it’s important to note that a large portion of the funds raised came in the form of loans, leaving the community to shoulder the risk and debt service. Philanthropy plays a critical role in shoring up the sustainability of innovative projects. Support grassroots groups by funding the organizational reserves that allow them to experiment with bold ideas and leverage bigger opportunities. Advocate for structural changes, like community-controlled funds and participatory grantmaking to shift decision-making power and reframe the narrative around “risk” – ask “What is at risk for the community if this project isn’t funded?” 

Commit to Relational, Lasting Change

Shift from transactional funding approaches to true relational partnerships. Systemic change thrives on relationships. Build deep connections with the communities you support. Co-create solutions, foster resilience and stay embedded for the long haul. Be more than a funder, be a “co-conspirator” in the transformative work that communities are leading. 

Conclusion 

As Dr. shakara tyler, Co-Executive Director of the Detroit Black Community Food Sovereignty Network, powerfully reminded us: “This is about survival and liberation—not just funding projects.”  This event underscored the critical need for funders to step up as true collaborators, not just check-writers.  The path forward requires boldness and trust, supporting communities as they lead the way toward a just and sustainable future.