The grandson of enslaved people, farmworkers, and small farmers in rural Clarendon County, South Carolina, DeShawn L. Blanding brings both lived experience and visionary leadership to the table. As the founder of AgQuity Solutions, a cooperatively owned network of consultants rooted in equity, inclusivity, and justice, DeShawn works to transform the way we think about and build our food and agriculture systems.

 

In his role as Senior Washington Representative for the Food and Environment Program at the Union of Concerned Scientists, DeShawn advocates for policies that ensure our food system provides affordable and healthy food for all, supports sustainable farm ecosystems, and uplifts the people who make it possible—farmers, workers, and eaters alike.