Since 2015, we've been building a Pan-African power institution in Baltimore, Maryland, serving as a think tank and collective action network addressing food apartheid while fostering community empowerment and economic self-determination.
The Black Yield Institute emerged in November 2015 from a deep understanding that food apartheid is not just about access — it's about power, control, and the systematic exclusion of Black communities from owning and controlling their food systems.
Founded in Baltimore, Maryland, our organization began as a response to the urgent need for Black-led solutions to food insecurity and economic disinvestment. We recognized that true food security could only come through food sovereignty—community control over the food system.
Over the years, we've evolved into a comprehensive Pan-African institution that operates as both a think tank generating critical research and policy recommendations, and a collective action network implementing grassroots solutions in communities across the region.
Today, our work spans agricultural education, small business development, policy advocacy, and community organizing — all centered on the principle that Black communities must lead in creating the systems that serve them.
Our Purpose
BYI is an unapologetically Black, place-based, people-centered movement for Black land and food sovereignty.
We exist to organize, educate, and activate Black communities to reclaim food sovereignty through ownership of land, cooperative food enterprises, and advocacy policy. We are disrupting and replacing the systems that created food apartheid with systems that are designed, owned, and controlled by Black people for Black people.
Our Vision
BYI envisions a future where Black communities have full control over their food systems, land, and economic resources—a world where food is a tool of liberation, not oppression.
Through agriculture, education, cooperative economics, and community organizing, we are building self-determined Black-led food economies that nourish, sustain, and uplift our people.
Our Impact
Central to our movement is the belief that we must take care of each other — that no one is truly free unless we all are nourished, empowered, and equipped to thrive.
Food is not just about survival; it is about building strong, interdependent Black communities where we care for one another across generations.
BYI
VALUES
Community-Centered
We believe that lasting change comes from within communities, by communities, for communities.
Pan-African
Unity
We honor our African heritage and work to strengthen connections across the diaspora.
Self-Determination
We champion Black autonomy in food systems, economics, and decision-making processes.
Excellence
We strive for the highest standards in all our programs, partnerships, and community work.
Leadership Team
Eric Jackson Jr.
Co-Servant Director
Eric leads our organization with a deep commitment to Black self-determination and food sovereignty. His visionary leadership has guided BYI's growth since its founding, with a focus on community-driven solutions and sustainable development.
Lee Jordan Jr.
Co-Servant Director
Lee brings strategic oversight and operational excellence to our mission. His expertise in community organizing and program development ensures our initiatives create lasting impact in the communities we serve.
Operations & Finance
Shy Hope
Director of Finance
Shy manages our financial operations and ensures sustainable resource allocation across all programs. Her financial oversight and reporting keep our operations transparent and efficient.
Jasmine Skinner
Administrative Assistant & Office Manager
Jasmine coordinates our daily operations and ensures smooth communication across all programs. Organizational skills and community connections help maintain our strong relationships with partners and supporters.
Community Engagement
Amber Jordan
Marketplace Organizer - Inventory
Amber manages our community marketplace operations, ensuring fresh, healthy food reaches families across Baltimore. Her work directly supports food sovereignty by connecting community members with nutritious, affordable options.
Louis Williams III
Marketplace Organizer - Engagement
Louis builds relationships within our marketplace communities, fostering connections that strengthen food sovereignty. His engagement work creates the social fabric that makes our economic initiatives successful.
Chris Henderson-West
Communications Manager & Archivist
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Nicola Norman
Community Engagement Specialist
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Paris Brown
Community Engagement Specialist
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