Christa Núñez is an African American entrepreneur, researcher, agriculture educator, social justice practitioner, and storyteller. She focuses her work on creating cooperative land governance models and equitable food systems with African diaspora communities. As a facilitator for change in the realm of narrative building, education, and food justice, she collaborates with stakeholders across multicultural, multigenerational, and interdisciplinary lines, cooperating primarily on projects with children and families.

Davi Mozie has been a noteworthy leader in the world of organizational leadership and development and community organizing and engagement for over thirty years.
In addition to many other titles, Davi is the Founding Director of International Jumper United Mentoring Program (I-JUMP). Davi uses the sport of jump rope to promote youth leadership development, cultivate relationships across cultures, and promote safe and respectful relationships. Davi also trains youth-serving professionals to use jump rope as an engagement tool to teach various academic and life skill topics.

Christine Barksdale leads the Farming for Freedom Trail initiative that connects local farms owned and operated by farmers, forest stewards, and landowners of color to supporters and community members who are invested in eating locally and equitably. She is a local small business owner. She has served on a number of non profit boards including the Cornell Cooperative Extension, Southside Community Center and the Human Services Coalition. She currently volunteers at Loaves and Fishes and the Community Foundation of Tompkins County, where she is a previous board member. She currently serves on the board of the Ithaca Housing Authority.

Pete Núñez was born in the Dominican Republic and raised in Harlem, NY. He developed a love for the outdoors while living in the beautiful Redwood Forest of Northern California and enjoys working the land and producing good food for the community. As a behaviorist, he loves working with young people in all phases of their development and enjoys supporting pathways to healthy communication and relationship-building.

For more than 25 years, Jay Smith has been a food justice advocate, working in and with organizations challenging food apartheid. As a community activist, he helped to start and steward community gardens in NYC and Ithaca to promote urban agriculture, beekeeping, and ecological awareness. Jay supports the cultivation of knowledge among people of color about farming and growing food independently of the ecologically destructive, food apartheid agricultural system. He works with Christa and Pete Núñez to promote the Quarter Acre for the People project of building intentional communities for historically marginalized people of color.

Michael Reese serves as the Technical Assistant Forester at Khuba International, supporting sustainable forestry initiatives and community engagement efforts. With a strong background in environmental stewardship, resource management, and outreach, Michael plays a key role in advancing Khuba’s mission of promoting sustainable forestry practices while fostering diversity and inclusion in the sector.
Before joining Khuba, Michael attended Duke University where he received his Bachelor’s in Environmental Science and Masters in Management studies from Duke’s Fuqua School of Business. Michael has gained valuable experience in collaborative outreach, bridging technical expertise with relationship-building to strengthen partnerships across environmental networks. Known for his commitment to service, adaptability, and hands-on problem-solving, he is passionate about connecting forestry practices to broader community benefits.
In his role at Khuba, Michael supports technical operations, assists with project implementation, and works closely with partners to promote responsible land management and conservation strategies. His work reflects a dedication not only to forest health, but also to building trust and opportunity in the communities Khuba serves.

Our Team