Michela - founder & Ceo

Michela Williams is a Georgia native with a passion for hiking, educating, and farming. Her path to the outdoors was paved long ago by her ancestors, but it was difficult to find. Her introduction to outdoor recreation was through horror films and generational trauma passed down through warnings. Through an internship with Greening Youth Foundation and the Forest Service, she was able to face her fears, find her purpose, and realize the connection that she’s always had with nature. Michela interned with Greening Youth as a Partnership Coordinator for the Georgia Mountain Children’s Forest Network through the Resource Assistant Program, where she provided environmental education programs that connect kids from the city to their nearest national forest. These programs successfully reached over 15,000 kids in Metro Atlanta and North Georgia Schools

So far, with the help of co-founder and her soulmate Tony Heard, Black Too Earth has partnered with various Black Farmers in Atlanta to host volunteer days and connect the black community with local Black educators. Michela’s goal for Black Too Earth is to be able to provide a consistent volunteer base for Black farmers nationally and to help develop the next generation of black environmental stewards!

Tony - founder & CFO

Tony has a background in wildland firefighting and trail maintenance. He spent a year on a SAWS crew helping clean up dispersed campsites and maintaining the beautiful trails along the east coast. After that season, he went to California to help fight wildland forest fires. Tony enjoys hiking on the weekends and filming. “I want my films to be able to touch the viewers in a way that inspires them.”

Jade, the Plant Chick - youth cooridinator

Kendyl- intern

Kendyl, a dynamic business administrator, infuses her life with adventure and altruism. With four years of vibrant service at BTE, she passionately volunteers at farms, nurturing her love for animals while preparing for a future career in animal care. She has an adventurous spirit that makes her enjoy outdoor activities and exploring different states and countries. For Kendyl, each experience, whether in volunteering or travel, is a vibrant celebration of life’s limitless opportunities.

Asmera Smith - Alabama Liaison

Asmera is an avid outdoors-woman, who  loves to find the connective tissue (or the mycorrhizal network). A Tuskegee University Alumna, she spent precious moments volunteering and learning at various Black Farms. From them, she learned beekeeping and apiary skills and the therapeutic effect that Mother Nature and Her creations provide the world. She’s excited to continually collaborate and learn from Black Farmers in Alabama, and celebrate Black Ingenuity and innovation within agriculture and environmental spaces, Ase O!

Chakiara - Alabama Liaison Assistant

Chakiara is our lovely Alabama Liaison Assistant for Black Too Earth. Her journey and love for farming and volunteerism stemmed from participating as a volunteer with Black Too Earth in 2021. She has been enjoying expanding her farming skills connecting with black farmers and volunteering on their land. Chakiara has been healing through her experiences and learning new skills and history about stewardship and black land ownership. She’s happy to be back in her home state, Alabama,  connecting with farmers, gardeners, and growers, and networking to grow food and feed communities.