Executive Director
(she/her)

shiny flanary comes to BFSC with more than 20 years of community organizing experience, including a degree in community studies with an emphasis on nonprofit management. shiny is also a farmer and farmers market manager, managing BFSC’s Black and Indigenous farmers market, Come Thru Market.

Director of Development and Strategy
(she/her)

Etsegenet Ayele (Etse) is a systems thinker, resource mobilizer, and community-rooted strategist raised in Ethiopia and based in Portland. She brings a deep commitment to Black liberation, collective care, and relationship-based work. Etse supports BFSC by leading fundraising strategy and development operations, and strengthening internal infrastructure.

Her ideal morning is quiet and unrushed — stretching on the floor with Bojack, her dog, while Cookie and Beauty, her cats, circle in and out. Then a walk down the block to feed the neighborhood goats, chickens, and the resident pig.

Director, Black Futures Farm
(she/her)

Mirabai Collins is a founding Director of Black Futures Farm. Black Futures Farm is an independent project that is currently housed at BFSC. Please contact Mirabai directly for all inquiries.

Program Manager, Food Hub
(she/her)

Michelle Molokwu is dedicated to serving her community through work that aligns with core principles of stewardship, compassion, and caring for one's neighbors. As a Nigerian individual, she brings a valued perspective to her efforts.

Michelle manages the Black Food Sovereignty Coalition food hub, which includes and the aftermarket purchasing program (AMPP), and supports a variety of food and wellness-oriented community outreach efforts within Portland’s Black and Brown communities. Her work reflects a commitment to service and uplifting the welfare of others.

Family Programs and Operations Coordinator
(he/they/she)

Jacob Dempsey’s passion for food sovereignty is deeply rooted in their Indigenous ancestry. Through years of dedicated mutual aid work, Jacob developed a vision for what a truly equitable food system can look like. After gaining hands-on experience with Rhythm Seed Farm and Peacekeepers Society, they earned an Organic Farming Certification from Clackamas Community College.

Today, Jacob is a co-founder of Daytrip Farm Collective—a one-acre farm co-op in Oregon City. Jacob is committed to building a sustainable corridor of produce that empowers small-scale farms and supports the next generation of regional growers.