We are Hunger Free Colorado’s Community Council.
Our main goal is to make food access equitable from the field to the kitchen table. In doing so, we strive to amplify the voices and leadership skills of all our members to be influential advocates of food justice in the anti-hunger movement. By unifying as a Council, we empower each other to become effective change agents and leaders that make positive impacts in the food system and fight to end hunger in Colorado.
Our Community Council is guided by 3 main principles:
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- be a valuable contribution to Hunger Free Colorado’s mission
- be respected and valued as experts in the anti-hunger movement
- recognize the differences of each person’s lived experience
Founding Members
Benu Amun-Ra
About Benu
Benu Amun-Ra (We/Our/Ours) lives at the intersections of being a single mother, a BIPOC generational farmer and seed-keeper, LGBTQ+ community member and has over 32 years’ experience as a primary caregiver for those living with disabilities as well as an end-of-life doula. We believe in advocacy and have worked with organizations that center on food security and mental health access, as these have been the two most dire issues and primary challenges for marginalized communities, which have been exacerbated by the pandemic. We founded the non-profit organization, S.A.C.R.Ed Eco-Center, which focuses on the principles of decolonization, integration, re-indigenization, and transformation through indigenous ways of knowing and being.
Laura
About Laura
Laura is a mother of three children and a long-time resident of El Jebel, Colorado. In her community, she has proven to be a strong community leader and advocate. Laura has advocated on several fronts, including food access and diverse school curricula representative of all communities in the state. Laura has been a member of the Hunger Free Colorado Community Council since 2019 and aspires to continue her ongoing community work using the Community Council as a platform to grow her leadership and skills.
Sobre Laura
Laura es madre de tres hijos y reside desde hace mucho tiempo en El Jebel, Colorado. En su comunidad ha demostrado ser una fuerte líder y defensora comunitaria. Laura ha abogado en varios frentes, incluido el acceso a alimentos y currículos escolares diversos representativos de todas las comunidades del estado. Laura ha sido miembro del Consejo Comunitario de Hunger Free Colorado (HFC) desde 2019 y aspira a continuar su trabajo comunitario en curso utilizando el consejo comunitario como plataforma para aumentar su liderazgo y sus habilidades.
Luz
About Luz
Luz has been a resident of Rifle, Colorado for 17 years. She is a mother of three children and a leader and activist in her community. As part of the Hunger Free Colorado Community Council for the past 4 years, she has brought a wealth of knowledge and lived experience to help in the fight to remove barriers preventing access to vital community resources, thus increasing access to healthy, affordable food. Through her efforts, Luz seeks to contribute to the creation of a transparent society where resources are accessible and where all people can thrive.
Sobre Luz
Luz ha sido residente de Rifle, Colorado durante 17 años. Es madre de tres hijos, líder y activista de su comunidad. Como parte del consejo comunitario de Hunger Free Colorado durante los últimos 4 años, ha aportado un gran conocimiento y su experiencia vivida para ayudar en la lucha para eliminar las barreras de recursos vitales para la comunidad y aumentar el acceso a alimentos saludables y asequibles. A través de sus esfuerzos, Luz busca ayudar a formar una sociedad que sea transparente, donde los recursos sean accesibles y donde todas las personas puedan prosperar.
LaQuetta S. Walker
About LaQuetta
LaQuetta S. Walker, MSW is a strong community advocate and leader for social justice and social change. She holds a Master of Social Work degree from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. Her emphasis of study was Program Development, Policies, Research and Evaluation and Community Organizing. She and her son have faced food insecurities throughout their lives which is why she is an advocate for Healthy School Meals for All and Time to Eat.
She believes that we cannot improve food insecurities without focusing on the Social Drivers of Health to address the needs of all children, families, and seniors. She is passionate about ensuring the Black community has equitable access to quality food and adequate education about where to find affordable food to feed themselves and their families. She is a firm believer that Food Is Medicine!
LaQuetta is the Founder/CVO of LaQuetta’s LAfTA, LLC® consulting/coaching individuals, teams, and organizations to write for the reader and position themselves as thought leaders with clear and concise messaging that matters. Currently the Director of Implementation for Black Parent Network, Communication Consultant for Colorado Department of Health Care Financing & Policy (HCPF) and Chief Editor and contributing author for a women’s anthology called Becoming a Girl Powerhouse Vol. 3. She is a member of Children’s Hospital’s African American Family Advisory Council, Board of Directors for NAMI Colorado, Hunger Free Colorado Community Council Member and Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger Governing Council co-chair. She is the proud mother of one amazing son!
We work at the center of local communities, partnerships, and Hunger Free Colorado
