Board of Directors + Guiding Stewards
Cameron Steinback, Front and Centered
Ella Mcrae, Seattle Housing Authority
Nyema Clark, Nurturing Roots
Benjamin Anderson, Seattle Uni., Youth Initiative Education and Housing Partnerships
Ray Williams, Founder + Visionary of Black Farmers Collective
James King Jr. {Interim Executive Director}
James first connected with the Black Farmers Collective (BFC) through this shared vision of cultivating Black leadership and disadvantaged voices in food systems. Initially drawn as a supporter and advocate, his involvement deepened when he joined the Board of Directors, where he applied his governance expertise, strategic vision, and leadership skills to help guide BFC through key stages of growth.
In early 2025, during a time of transition, James stepped into the role of Interim Executive Director of the Black Farmers Collective.
Yeawa Asabi {Director of Programs and Evaluation}
Having relocated to Washington in 2016 for their college education and change of pace, Yeawa began to explore the vastness, depth, and beauty of Washington State. Yeawa was curious to learn more about Seattle’s take on Black liberation and wellness through a horticultural and ancestral lens, along with what Black and Brown community spaces were like in Seattle.
In Yeawa's free time you can find them, by the ocean, forest bathing, farming, being silly with their homies, or hanging out at home with their cat, Freedom Demarcus.
Shalom Cook {Director of Self-Development}
Shalom Cook is a Native of both Seattle and Minneapolis, an educator, life coach, healer, activist, and artist with over twenty-five years of experience in youth development, human services, social justice, and community organizing. Their dedicated to holistic and transformative service that guides humanity toward deep and abundant love rooted in equity and justice for the planet and all living things. She firmly believes that supporting our Black Farmers is a powerful and impactful way to promote Black Liberation.
Masra Clamoungou {Small Axe Farm Manager}
Born and raised in the south end of Seattle. Growing up, he never had any exposure to farming or agriculture, other than a typical idyllic red barn and huge golden fields of wheat that one would see in commercials or popular media.
While attending classes at Seattle Central Community College, he took a few courses offered through the SAgE Collaborative (Sustainable Agriculture Education), and also participated in the Seattle Youth Garden Works program where he began to gain hands-on farm experience on a small market garden. These experiences ignited a passion within Masra and gave him an appreciation for the engagement with the wider ecosystem and the sense of meaningful work, physicality, and tangible results from the work of farming.
Masra is excited to bring more farmers into the collective and is looking forward to a future in farming, supporting farmers, and growing with BFC.
Taj (Tajinique) Ruffin {Yes Farm Manager}
Born in Akron, Ohio and raised in Burien, Washington, Taj understood first-hand challenges that elevated them to build strong relationships in the community around them; eventually, those relationships brought them to farming.
Their exposure at Yes Farm changed their perspective on what it looked like to be safe outside and inspired Taj to take care of their community in the similar ways their community provided for them, but while farming.
Initially a volunteer with BFC, Taj gained experience and mentorship and began working as an official employee with BFC in 2022. Now, Taj manages our 1.5 acre farm in the Yesler Terrace community.
Brukab Sisay {Curriculum and Farm Educator}
Born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and raised in Tukwila, Washington. Following his years at Foster High School he graduated with a degree in American Ethnic Studies from the University of Washington for his B.A. and African American Studies at the University of California Berkeley for his M.A. He taught collegiate level courses for eight years in Washington State at the University of Washington and Western Washington University before transitioning to farming as a continuation of his passion for uplifting African Diasporic traditions and food justice movements.
Brukab joined the Black Farmers Collective team as a seasonal farm assistant in 2024, but stayed on as our Curriculum and Farm Educator. In this role he works closely with our farm managers to host community education events at our farm sites and across King County.
Contractors
Gretchen Frankenstein, Bookkeeper
Carolyn Burroughs, USDA Compliance Support
Yveline Saint Louis, Communications and Social Media Content Support
Krista McClure, Development + Strategic Consultant and USDA Compliance Lead
Deepa Iyer, Surveyor + Thought Leader
Kwame Morrow, Surveyor