Meet the Collective
The Blackstead Collective is guided by experienced leadership and community-centered governance committed to long-term stewardship and neighborhood resilience.
Jennifer Means
Executive Director
Jennifer leads The Blackstead Collective with a focus on land stewardship, community-centered food systems, and ecosystem development at the neighborhood scale. Her work centers collaboration, cultural knowledge, and long-term sustainability rooted in place.
Ashleigh Williams
Program Administrator
Ashleigh serves as Program Administrator for The Blackstead Collective, where she supports the coordination, organization, and day-to-day operations of community programs that strengthen Detroit neighborhoods through food access, education, and resident engagement.
Jennifer J. Means is a food systems designer and the founder of The Blackstead Collective, a Detroit-based organization dedicated to building neighborhood-scale food ecosystems rooted in land care, cultural memory, and collective well-being.
For Jennifer, food is not a trend or lifestyle aesthetic—it is infrastructure for thriving communities. She believes that every neighborhood deserves access to fresh food, shared knowledge, and spaces where people can gather, grow, and take care of one another. Her work centers on rebuilding those systems close to home, designed by the people they serve and built to last for generations.
Through The Blackstead Collective, Jennifer develops community-rooted models that connect urban agriculture, land stewardship, cultural food traditions, workforce pathways, and neighborhood resilience. Her approach blends practical garden design with ecosystem thinking—creating spaces where food, people, learning, and opportunity grow together.
Jennifer holds a B.S. in Global Business and has completed training through the LSU AgCenter Home Gardening Certificate program, School Garden Coordinator Training, and the University of Michigan’s Community Engagement: Collaborating for Change program. She is currently completing a Certification in Nonprofit Management through the University of Illinois Chicago. Alongside her formal training, Jennifer brings more than six years of hands-on experience growing food, designing shared garden spaces, and working closely with communities to turn ideas into living, working systems.
Those who work with Jennifer often describe her as a “pollinator of people.” She has a natural ability to connect individuals, ideas, and resources in ways that help communities move from vision to action. With a background in project management, business development, and customer experience strategy, she helps organizations translate good intentions into practical systems that support both people and place.
In addition to leading The Blackstead Collective, Jennifer serves as Chief of Business Strategy at The Lanyap Advisory, where she partners with organizations to align growth strategies with community-rooted outcomes.
Across all of her work, Jennifer remains guided by a simple belief:
When we care for the land and for one another, entire ecosystems can flourish.
With a people-first approach and a natural ability to bring calm, clarity, and organization to fast-paced environments, Ashleigh has built a career centered on service, communication, and relationship building. Her professional background spans administrative operations, customer service, care coordination, and community support, giving her a unique ability to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds while ensuring programs run efficiently and effectively.
Throughout her career, Ashleigh has managed scheduling, maintained detailed records, coordinated communications across multiple stakeholders, and provided compassionate support to individuals and families. Her experience as a birth and postpartum doula further reflects her commitment to serving others with empathy, dignity, and professionalism.
At The Blackstead Collective, Ashleigh is passionate about helping cultivate community spaces where residents can learn, grow, and thrive. She is committed to supporting programs that increase access to fresh food, promote environmental sustainability, foster neighborhood connections, and create opportunities for lasting community impact.
Ashleigh’s strengths in organization, communication, and collaborative problem-solving make her an integral part of Blackstead’s mission to build healthier, more resilient neighborhoods rooted in equity, education, and collective care.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Governance & Stewardship
The Board of Directors provides governance, strategic oversight, and fiduciary responsibility, ensuring that the organization remains aligned with its mission, values, and long-term vision.
Brandy Ross
Board Chair/President
Brandy is a U.S. Air Force veteran and seasoned project manager with over 16 years of experience leading IT infrastructure and cybersecurity initiatives across federal and commercial sectors. As Board President of The Blackstead Collective, she brings her passion for community development, environmental justice, and workforce empowerment to advance the organization’s mission of sustainable urban agriculture and education.
Karyn Brantley
Secretary
Karyn is an executive administrative professional with deep experience supporting boards and senior leaders through strong governance, clear documentation, and efficient operations. She is known for her discretion, precision, and human-centered approach to improving processes while using technology to enhance clarity and accountability. As Secretary, she ensures accurate records, effective communication, and continuity that strengthens the board’s overall effectiveness.
Toye Nicholson
Treasurer
Toye serves as Treasurer of The Blackstead Collective, providing financial oversight and fiduciary stewardship to support the organization’s long-term sustainability. She ensures that resources are managed responsibly and aligned with the Collective’s mission of building neighborhood-based food ecosystems. Her disciplined approach to governance strengthens transparency, accountability, and strategic growth.