Meet Our Food Scholars

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Meet Our Food Scholars

Spelman College's Food Studies Program, the first interdisciplinary food studies program at an Historically Black College and University, engages students in an innovative exploration of food interdisciplinarity and centers its connectivity to the African Diaspora, intersectionality, and food science. It is our hope that our food scholars will find the needed community, scholarship, and professional opportunities through the program to approach some of these pressing global and local food challenges.

Quick Facts

The goal of the program is to empower Black and Brown women to pursue and transform current food system challenges.
Food Studies Scholars are a two-year cohort of students (all classifications) with keen interests in food systems-related careers.
The inaugural cohort of scholars were selected during the 2021-2022 academic year. The program is now introducing its third cohort.
Food Studies Scholars receive funding, mentorship, garden immersion, and research and professional development support.
Scholars also participate in monthly meetings, bonding activities/trips, and speaker sessions. All scholars are declared Food Studies minors.

Contact Info

Food Studies Program

350 Spelman Lane, SW
Atlanta, GA. 30314

404-270-5792
foodstudies@spelman.edu

Mon. - Fri. | 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Current Food Studies Scholars

Jakayla Davis C'2026: Health Science major, Food Studies minor
Madisyn Gaither C'2026: Environmental Studies major, Food Studies minor
Imani Candler C'2026: Computer Science major, Food Studies minor
Allana Holiday C'2028: International Studies major, Food Studies minor
Brooke Taylor C'2026: Comparative Women’s Studies major, Food Studies minor
EthiopiAset Garvey C'2028: Documentary & Filmmaking major, Food Studies minor
Gabrielle Pecke C'2027: Economics major, Food Studies minor
Jada Joshua C'2026: Economics, Food Studies minor
Jayda Hendrickson C'2026: International Studies major, Food Studies minor
Nahla Bush C'2027: Sociology major, Food Studies minor
Olivia Oluwasolape Olatunji C'2026: Economics major, Food Studies minor

Food Studies Scholars Alumnae

Ambria Coakley C’2022
Biology major, Food Studies minor

Gabrielle Davis C’2023
International Studies & Economics major, Food Studies minor

Na’Zyia Dowdy-Arnold C’2025
Comparative Women’s Studies major, Food Studies minor

Kaia Godsey C’2023
Sociology major, Food Studies minor

Elizabeth Gowans C’2023
History major, Food Studies minor

Kayland Jones C’2022
International studies with a concentration in cultural studies and minoring in Food studies

Love Lundy C’2024
Political Science major, Food Studies minor

Aaliyah Rene Peña C’2023
Theater major, Food Studies minor

Joy Rutledge C’2025
Computer Science major, Food Studies minor

Pauline Caldwell C’2025
Anthropology/Sociology major, Food Studies minor

Imani Candler C’2026
Computer Science major, Food Studies minor

Jakayla Davis C’2026
Health Science major, Food Studies minor

Sherese Eaglin C’2024
Comparative Women’s Studies major, Food Studies minor

Madisyn Gaither C’2026
Environmental Studies major, Food Studies minor

Garilyn Vause C’2022
Economics major, Food Studies minor

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Meet Our Food Scholars