Putting the Power Back Into The People: Community Empowerment Through Food Security

YIMBY Nation (Yes, In My Back Yard)

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It is often said that where you find food insecurity, you will also find housing insecurity. Today’s conversation focuses on enhancing our communities' quality of life by examining the role housing plays in food security. We are joined by Khaatim Sherrer El, whose work is vital to today’s topic. He is the Executive Director of Clinton Hill Community Action (CHCA), a non-profit community development corporation dedicated to revitalizing Newark’s Clinton Hill neighborhood. With over 20 years of experience leading place-based initiatives, managing strategic partnerships, and building organizational capacity, Khaatim brings a wealth of knowledge and an exceptional educational background to our discussion. Join us as we explore what inspired Khaatim to pursue community development and revitalization, the correlation between health disparities and housing conditions, the role of the city of Newark in CHCA's work, and the cultural impacts on health and food disparities within the communities they serve. Khaatim also shares his experience managing significant philanthropic investments and leaves listeners with compelling thoughts to reflect on. Thanks for tuning in.

Key Points From This Episode:

• An introduction to our guest on today’s episode: Khaatim Sherrer El.
• What inspired him to pursue work in community development and revitalization, and what drives him to continue doing so.
• We delve into a discussion on the reports indicating that health disparities often correlate with housing conditions.
• He unpacks their work with food security.
• A crucial part of the conversation: being aware of what we are putting into our bodies (and food pantries).
• He details the role the city of Newark plays in the work that they do at CHCA.
• We look at cultural impacts on health and food disparities and the communities they work with.
• The journey to starting their first resident-run food cooperative.
• His experience managing significant philanthropic investments and how it has shaped his approach (and mindset) to community development and education initiatives.
• Khaatim shares compelling ideas for listeners to reflect on.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Khaatim Sherrer El on LinkedIn

Vincencia Adusei on LinkedIn

Vincencia Adusei on Twitter

VASE Construction

Jimmy Miller on LinkedIn

Censere Consulting

Peter Wood on LinkedIn

YIMBY Nation Email

YIMBY Nation