Our Team

OLIVIA WATKINS | Co-Founder & President

Olivia Watkins (she/her) serves as Co-Founder and President at Black Farmer Fund. Olivia is a social entrepreneur and impact investor. For the past seven years, she has financed, developed, and operated environmental and social projects across the US. She also serves as a board member for Soul Fire Farm Institute.

Prior to founding Black Farmer Fund in 2017, Olivia worked in several production roles at Soul Fire Farm Institute and Kahumana Organic Farms, leveraging her environmental biology background to manage and grow environmentally regenerative and socially impactful business operations.

Olivia has an MBA from North Carolina State University in Financial Management, and a BA from Barnard College, Columbia University in Environmental Biology. She was also recognized on the 2021 Forbes 30 under 30 Social Impact list and The Grist 50.

Myra Marcellin | INVESTMENT Director

Myra Marcellin (she/her) serves as the Investment Director at Black Farmer Fund.

With more than 25 years of experience in New England agriculture, Myra formerly served as Vice President and Senior Loan Officer at Farm Credit East, where she worked closely with small and mid-sized farms and supported young and beginning farmers in launching and growing their businesses. She previously served as Financial Business Advisor for MAAIC at the Franklin County Community Development Corporation, where she supported farmers and value-added food producers across Massachusetts with credit support and technical assistance. She also served as Executive Director of The Carrot Project, advancing efforts to expand equitable access to capital in the agriculture and food sectors.

Myra is deeply committed to strengthening local food economies and advancing a more diverse, equitable, and resilient agricultural system. She currently serves on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors at Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) and is a Trustee of the Eastern States Exposition representing the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Sonja Lockhart | Senior Community Engagement MANAGER

Sonja Lockhart (she/her) serves as the Senior Community Engagement Manager for Black Farmer Fund. Sonja is committed to transforming local food environments to support community health and wellbeing. She comes to this position with over 5 years of experience working on community engaged projects, including designing and evaluating initiatives focused on skill-building among Black farmers and increasing food sovereignty in Black communities.

Prior to receiving her MPH, she worked for a public health nonprofit in Oakland, California collaborating with coalitions to address issues related to healthy food availability, mental health and wellbeing, and housing affordability. Sonja received her Master of Public Health with a concentration in Food Systems and Health from Cornell University and her B.A. in Science, Technology, and Society with a focus in Environment and Sustainability from Stanford University.

JARED DAVIS | PEOPLE & CULTURE MANAGER

Jared Davis (he/they) serves as People & Culture Manager at Black Farmer Fund, where he stewards the organization’s approach to recruitment, retention, and equitable people systems. He partners across teams to implement performance management frameworks, and strengthen organizational practices that support staff growth, clarity, and sustainability. His work reflects a commitment to building people-centered systems that align operational rigor with mission-driven values in both nonprofit and philanthropic contexts.

Jared holds an M.A. in Arab Studies from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service and a dual B.A. in International Studies and Language & Cultural Studies from Trinity College (CT). He is fluent in Spanish, Italian, and Arabic, and brings a global, cross-cultural perspective to his work in organizational development and people strategy. In his free time, Jared enjoys exercising, and cooking. He is currently learning Brazilian Portuguese and Japanese.

Olamide goke-Pariola | Development & Investor Relations Director

Olamide Goke-Pariola (she/her) serves as the Director of Development and Investor Relations at the Black Farmer Fund. Previously, she worked as a Director of Philanthropy at Cooperative Assistance for Relief Everywhere (CARE). The majority of her career has been in the nonprofit sector, having previously held roles at Black Alliance for Just Immigration, Society of American Foresters, and Conservation International. She holds a B.A in International Affairs and an M.S in International Policy Management, both from Kennesaw State University.

Ola is passionate about social justice, feminism, and Black liberation. She is thrilled to use her skills to raise money for Black farmers, and continue the important legacy of Black farm and land stewardship.

JOSHUA PARKES | DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE

Joshua Parkes (he/they) serves as the Development Associate for Black Farmer Fund. A proud first-generation college graduate from Hunter College, Joshua earned their B.A in Clinical Psychology graduating Summa Cum Laude. Joshua brings a deep commitment to equity, storytelling, and community empowerment to their work. Before Joining Black Farmer Fund, Joshua gained extensive experience in development, communication and youth advocacy across several non-profit organizations. Their work has centered on building authentic relationships, crafting compelling narratives, and amplifying the voices of communities historically excluded from access to resources and opportunity. Beyond their professional work, Joshua has volunteered extensively with non-profits focused on youth empowerment, education, the arts, housing crises, and workforce/community development. Through these experiences, they have deepened their understanding of how access to resources, whether food, education, or creative expression shapes the health and resilience of marginalized communities. Guided by their own experiences growing up low-income, Joshua is passionate about dismantling systemic barriers that impact the physical, mental, and economic well-being of Black and Brown communities. They are also a musician and avid reader of non-fiction exploring Black, Brown, and Queer histories. Interests that continue to inform their perspective and story-telling approach.

Jeanne D’Arc Koffi | Communications Intern

Jeanne d’Arc Koffi (she/her) serves as the Communications Intern for Black Farmer Fund. She holds a Bachelor of Science from Vanderbilt University where she majored in Human and Organizational Development.

She has previously supported programs and conducted research through various internships, all centered around mission-driven work at the intersection of welfare, climate justice, and community development.

Outside of work, Jeanne d’Arc also enjoys spending time in nature, dancing to good music, and reading. She is looking forward to learning from the incredible work happening at Black Farmer Fund and to contributing meaningfully to its vision through the work that the communications department carries out!

Alexis Jaya Hutchinson | Special Projects ASSOCIATE

Alexis Jaya Hutchinson (she/her) serves as the Special Projects Associate for Black Farmer Fund. Alexis is committed to Black liberation, with reproductive justice and an investment in documenting the genesis, surveillance, displacement, and destruction of historically Black communities in the Northeast and Midwest as the foundation of her advocacy.

Alexis has over five years of event management, social media management, and public relations experience. She holds a BA in English Literature from Washington University in St. Louis with minors in History and Sociology as well as an MFA in Writing from Columbia University. She is currently an Adjunct Assistant Professor in Writing for Long Island University Brooklyn.

Outside of work, Alexis takes care of her cat, Langston, and operates a Brooklyn-based literary organization which centers literature by Black women. She also enjoys baking, hiking, writing, and pilates.

AMANDA EVERICH | Community Facilitator & Education Manager

Amanda Everich (she/they) serves as Community Facilitator and Education Manager for Black Farmer Fund. She is rooted in over 10 years working in education, advocacy and program development for farming, food and land justice. She serves on the board of NYC Network of Worker Cooperatives.

She brings her experiences as a facilitator of community building, land and creativity based programs, Reggio Emilia forest school teacher, curriculum developer, commissioned visual artist and land stewardship training across New York, Lares, Puerto Rico and Mauna Kea, Hawaii.

Amanda was born and raised in The Bronx, NY - unceded Munsee Lenape land. She has a Bachelor’s in English Literature from The City College of New York, community led education training from the Loris Malaguzzi International Center in Reggio Emilia, Italy, farm training from the Rock Steady Farm Pollinate Program and herbalism training with La Mala Yerba. She is a graduate of Farm School NYC. Her work has been supported by The Laundromat Project as a fellow with The Kelly Street Community Garden and for her radical mapping projects.

Amanda believes in the power of the people. She is guided by black legacies of building liberation through land stewardship, the energy of jazz, improvisation and using creativity as a source of transformative worldbuilding.

CHRISTINA REESE | OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

Christina Reese (she/her) serves as the Director of Operations for the Black Farmer Fund. Before her time with BFF, Christina was based in DC managing Operations for nonprofits such as Free Press and City Year, Washington DC.

Christina holds a Bachelor of Arts from Illinois State University where she majored in Psychology and Minored in Criminal Justice. She also holds an Applied Project Management certificate from Northwestern University.

Outside of work, Christina can be found tending to new plants, engaging in home renovation activities, or enjoying the East Coast. She is looking forward to supporting and uplifting Black farmers and folks in the food world and building relationships within the Buffalo food community!

Janet Gumbs | Finance director

Janet Gumbs (she/her) serves as the Finance Director for Black Farmer Fund. Gumbs is a mission-driven professional with a passion for guiding non-profits and NGOs towards financial stability. She has over 25 years of progressive experience in all areas of non-profit and NGO leadership with extensive experience in Financial Management.

She holds a professional accounting qualification and is a member of the Association of Chartered and Certified Accountants (ACCA). She also graduated from the City University of New York, Baruch College, School of Public and International Affairs, with a master’s degree in public administration majoring in Nonprofit Management.

Janet Gumbs has held various Financial Management positions in several New York City non-profits, most recently as the Finance lead at the Association of Black Foundation Executives.

Washington Cuzco | Finance Associate

Washington Cuzco (he/him) serves as the Finance Associate for the Black Farmer Fund.

Born in Ecuador and raised in the Bronx, Washington always found ways to become involved within his community, working for the local food pantry, volunteering at animal rescues, and tutoring GED students.

Following some educational challenges that left him questioning his academic trajectory, Washington found solace in high school completion programs and college access programs that provided the support and encouragement he needed to go far in life.

Washington is now a proud holder of a B.B.A in Finance from Baruch College and is currently pursuing an MBA at the same institution. Washington has diverse experiences, previously serving in roles such as Administrative Assistant, Finance Administrator, and Staff Accountant at non-profit organizations centered on college access, community services, and medical research.

During his free time, Washington likes to be outdoors with his two dogs, Slinky and Pepper, and his fiancée, Gina.

ONYX RAMíREZ | SENIOR COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

Onyx Ramírez (she/her) serves as the Senior Communications Manager for Black Farmer Fund. Originally from Washington Heights, NYC, Onyx has been working with Non-Profit organizations since 2015 and has dedicated her life's work to empowering and centering BIPOC folks and the LGBTQIA+ community.

Onyx brings 10 years of experience in Communications, Marketing, and Education to her work at Black Farmer Fund.

In addition to her work with BFF, Onyx is a graphic design, illustration, and marketing consultant. Onyx enjoys spending time outdoors with her family and friends and creating art!

MYKALEE MCGOWAN | COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATE

Mykalee McGowan (they/she) serves as the Communications Associate for the Black Farmer Fund.

Mykalee is a purpose-led communications professional passionate in exploring the intersection of food, culture, and community. Their expertise spans various facets of the food industry, from recipe development and food journalism to vending and private dining events.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Howard University where she majored in Print & Online Journalism and minored in Photography. Her writing graces publications like Blavity, Mother Earth News, and the Huffington Post. In 2020, she took passion a step further founding Mykalee.com, a blog exploring the connections between food, wellness, and personal growth.

Dedicated to making an impact in the Black community through food, Mykalee studied nutrition, herbalism, and culinary health and healing at The Maryland University of Integrative Health for 4 years. In 2025, they were selected to be apart of Crescendo Foods’ inaugural Plate2Plate cohort, a culinary residency program that brings together food industry professionals and academics on a collaborative journey to drive sustainable innovation in West African food systems, while celebrating the rich culinary heritage of the African Diaspora.

In her free time, Mykalee enjoys making food and herbal recipes, gardening, collecting vinyl records, and traveling.