CRAFT believes that investing in our community and protecting the earth for future generations go hand in hand. We also know that it takes time, energy, and commitment to become educated about the issues that affect our homes, ecosystems, economies, and communities. From these values and understanding the effort ittakes to live by them, the CRAFT Community Fellowship was born in 2024! For decades, CRAFT has prioritized building tools, strategies, a clear vision, and a strong team to confront the nuclear industry - and the place we stand in history requires that we all go beyond what we know. 2025 brings in our second Community Fellowship and we would like to announce our team of four fellows who will be teaming up with us for the next few months. Thank you so much to everyone who applied, we had a huge turnout of applications so it was very difficult to make our final choices, but what a good problem to have! Now, without further ado:
siembra Acosta Ahmad
siembra is a culture worker, organizer and co-dreamer at Mucha Fruta Farms based in Pontiac, Michigan. Currently serving as the Healing and Community Justice Director at Centro Multicultural La Familia, siembra designs and advocates for culturally affirming services centering immigrants, 2SLGBTQ+ individuals, and survivors of relational and systemic violence. Their work is deeply rooted in the intersection of land tending, relationship violence, and ancestral healing methods. This passion is further explored through their role with Growing Pontiac, a local garden hub that empowers neighbors by connecting them to resources for growing food, engaging in agricultural education, preserving food traditions, and fostering kinship.
Eric Gaines
Eric Gaines is a second-year Master of Public Health student at Wayne State University who is passionate about environmental health and community-driven change. He previously worked with Michigan Clinicians for Climate Action (MiCCA) as a Climate & Health Education Coordinator, where he created tools that highlighted the important connection between environmental health and personal health. Eric also taught Environmental Justice, helping students see how environmental challenges are tied to equity, health, and the well-being of their communities. He now works as a Blood Production Specialist, where he assesses the needs of the hospital consumer population of Metro Detroit and anticipates blood product demand to ensure patients receive timely, life-saving care. As a public health scientist, Eric is committed to advancing equity and environmental justice. Through the CRAFT Fellowship, he looks forward to building new connections, strengthening his skills, and contributing to community-driven solutions that support healthier, more resilient communities.
Kirby Shoote
Kirby Shoote is a Tlingít urban farmer and cultural food worker based in Detroit, MI. Their work explores the various avenues of Indigenous food sovereignty and the ways in which ancestral practices can benefit the future. Since 2018, Kirby's urban farm ŁEILÚ has been dedicated to fostering the growth of traditional foods and medicines. They also host place- based pop ups under the name, Winona. These culinary experiences aim to give people a glimpse into the diversity and beauty within Native cuisine.
Rachel Marquez
Environmental Justice Community Organizer at the Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation, Rachel has focused on bridging the knowledge gap between the city, universities, and Spanish-speaking community. She has advocated for education and resources around air quality and how the community can protect itself. More recently, she has organized the community group Promotores de la Tierrato to focus on lead contamination in residential areas.