Makanya Smith

Makanya Smith is all about her community. Her personal desire is to ensure that those who do not have a voice can be heard. Makanya is dedicated to the work of the Little Africa Food Cooperative. The Cooperative is committed to teaching residents of the community how to take ownership of dietary management goals and how to meet their nutritional needs by consuming healthier foods. Their mission is to provide impoverished urban communities an inexpensive healthy food source and knowledge of how to create economic, social, and cultural independence, because ultimately “you are what you eat”. The Cooperative works with local, national and international farmers to obtain nutritious quality foods that will promote optimum health. Makanya also counsels youth and adults to decrease recidivism back into the penal system. She also mentors eighth graders in the Neighborhood Leadership Institute’s True2U program. She received both her Master’s Degree and Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Phoenix.