Black Farmer Fund Co-Founder Recognized on the 2021 Forbes 30 under 30 List
New York — December 2, 2020. Black Farmer Fund, a black food system-focused community investment fund, yesterday was featured on the 2021 Forbes 30 under 30 List in the Social Impact category.
Formed in 2017, the 501(c)3 organization was created by co-founders Olivia Watkins and Karen Washington, who met at a farming conference that winter, alongside founding board members Dennis Derryck and Onika Abraham. Dennis currently is the CEO of Corbin Hill Food Project, and Onika is Executive Director for Farm School NYC. The group came together as they saw how a lack of non-extractive financial products for black farmers and food businesses was affecting diversity in the industry. With 57,000 farmers in New York only 139 are black.
Melanie Allen joined the organization in 2020 as a Program Director after a Fulbright Fellowship in Benin. Black Famer Fund expanded its community governance model through the counsel of lex barlowe, a Community Wealth Facilitator, and an advisory committee of black farmers and food entrepreneurs who have decision-making power around Black Farmer Fund’s investments.
“It is an honor to represent Black Farmer Fund on the Forbes 30 under 30 list this year next to many incredible other organizations in the Social Impact category. I am grateful for the recognition as it highlights the challenges facing black farmers and food businesses. We look forward to continuing to change the way investing happens in the food system of New York,” said Olivia Watkins, President of Black Farmer Fund.
Olivia graduated from Barnard College, Columbia University with a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Biology with a focus on soil microbial ecology in agricultural ecosystems. She is currently finishing her last year as an MBA Candidate at North Carolina State University Poole College of Management.
About Black Farmer Fund:
Black Farmer Fund is an emerging community investment fund that invests in black food systems entrepreneurs in New York State. Beyond making investments in our communities, we also emphasize building financial education and our community's active involvement in investment management.
Contact: info@blackfarmerfund.com
