Meet the Team

  • Pertula George-Redd (she/her)

    Founder and Executive Director. Pertula is a seasoned non-profit professional who has worked on the frontlines of social justice for over fifteen years. She draws from her diverse work experiences and networks to advance equity and wealth building through Acres4Change. She leads with passion, determination, and an ability to bring diverse people together. Pertula is the former Executive Director of Common Good City Farm and has worked with nationally recognized organizations such as The Food Project and DC Central Kitchen. Pertula holds a Masters’ Degree in Sustainable International Development from Brandeis University and is a certified vinyasa flow and prenatal yoga instructor. She enjoys yoga, traveling, reading, hiking, and cooking. Pertula lives in Maryland with her family.

  • David Becker (he/him)

    Mushroom Grow Facility Consultant. Dave has been both growing at home and foraging for mushrooms in the wild for over three years and has continued to grow his knowledge and skills during this time. He has always had a strong drive to help educate others and during his time as both a volunteer Firefighter and a Chef he has always taken every opportunity to educate others whenever he’s been given the chance to do so. Since starting to grow at home Dave has been looking for the opportunity to build a sustainable and successful business that provides not only high-quality mushrooms for consumption but tinctures and other healthy products for direct-to-consumer use as well. He is also very interested in exploring the use of mycelium for mitigation of oils and other hazardous materials from nature and how it can help clean and protect our waterways and natural resources. The mycoculture consultants provide workshops and technical assistance to our Stewards over the course of the program.

  • Makayla “violet sparrow” Alicea (she/they)

    Mushroom Operations and Program Specialist. violet sparrow - is the Mushroom Operations and Program Specialist. She is a community organizer and urban farmer by trade, with deep experience in grassroots organizing and environmental justice. Committed to addressing systemic inequities no matter where they reside, violet centers the abolition movement in their work, with a strong focus on the intersectionality of injustices and centering vulnerable communities to lead solutions.

  • Vincent O'Neal (he/him)

    As part of the team for Charm City Caps, Vincent is dedicated to community outreach and development. His full-time work is at Green Street Academy, where he serves as Farm Manager to immerse students into the vast field of agriculture. Currently striving for his degree in Social work, Vincent wishes to become a school counselor for underserved, inner-city schools in Baltimore. Aside from work, Vincent loves music, photography, and fashion.

Markiesha E. Wilson, Board Member. Markiesha Wilson is a management consultant, leadership coach, speaker, and author. She is passionate about equipping and encouraging leaders to lead their teams authentically and pursue joy in their careers. She is

Markiesha E. Wilson, Board Member. Markiesha Wilson is a management consultant, leadership coach, speaker, and author. She is passionate about equipping and encouraging leaders to lead their teams authentically and pursue joy in their careers. She is the author of In the Climb: Eight Audacious Actions to Overcome Life and Climb the Corporate Ladder with Joy. Markiesha is a human capital professional and an expert level facilitator and designer of highly rated interactive leadership and interpersonal communications courses for adult learners in educational and government institutions, and private sector entities, throughout the United States and the Caribbean. She has enjoyed a successful career in various leadership roles with companies including Booz Allen Hamilton, Fannie Mae, First Bank Virgin Islands, Accenture and Deloitte Consulting. Markiesha received her Master of Arts degree in Human and Intercultural Communications at Howard University and her Leadership Coaching Certification at Georgetown University. She is ACC certified by the International Coaching Federation.

Kristen Walsh, Board Member. Kristen Walsh, Board Member. Kristen is a recent graduate of Cornell University’s Public Health Program with a focus on food sovereignty and health. Kristen is a New York City native, and currently is based out of Brookl

Kristen Walsh, Board Member. Kristen Walsh, Board Member. Kristen is a recent graduate of Cornell University’s Public Health Program with a focus on food sovereignty and health. Kristen is a New York City native, and currently is based out of Brooklyn. During her coursework she focused largely on sustainable agriculture and incorporating local knowledge into modern agricultural practices, and she hopes to bring that into her future career. She has done a lot of work in the veterinary field and intends on pursuing a veterinary career in food safety in the future. Kristen is currently dedicated to beginning her career as a public health professional. She is passionate about food safety, urban farming, food sovereignty, and community development. In her free time, Kristen enjoys hiking, walking dogs, and spending time with family and friends.

Marc Glascoe, Board Member. Marc, a proud native of Baltimore, MD, boasts over 35 years of invaluable customer service expertise across diverse sectors. Driven by a deep-seated commitment to service and ongoing learning, he channels his fervor into e

Marc Glascoe, Board Member. Marc, a proud native of Baltimore, MD, boasts over 35 years of invaluable customer service expertise across diverse sectors. Driven by a deep-seated commitment to service and ongoing learning, he channels his fervor into empowering youth and supporting underserved communities. A graduate of Coppin State University, holding a degree in Business Management, Marc channels his passion into facilitating the realization of others' goals, dreams, and aspirations by connecting them with vital resources. Beyond his professional endeavors, Marc is deeply involved in community enrichment efforts. For over 15 years, he has dedicated himself to prison ministry through his church and has engaged in transformative foreign missions work in India. Since 1990, Marc has been a stalwart supporter of his fraternity's social action initiatives, contributing to initiatives focused on education and fostering entrepreneurship. An embodiment of philanthropy, Marc's commitment to serving others through his fraternity includes a partnership with the Maryland Food Bank since 2021. Spearheading monthly food giveaways in the Waverly and neighboring communities, Marc exemplifies the spirit of compassion and communal support.

Kysha Merritt, Board Member. Kysha’s specialties lie in all aspects of marketing, strategic partnerships and branding with significant experience in real estate marketing, brand development, and public relations. Having well over 20+ years of experie

Kysha Merritt, Board Member. Kysha’s specialties lie in all aspects of marketing, strategic partnerships and branding with significant experience in real estate marketing, brand development, and public relations. Having well over 20+ years of experience, she has developed strategic marketing partnerships with some of the most recognizable brands including: Sony Music, the NFL, Interscope Records, Keller Williams Realty, Habitat For Humanity and Rush Communications. Before launching her real estate team, Kysha served as the Chief Marketing Officer for Keller Williams Preferred Properties. In this capacity, she oversaw client engagement, strategic communications & partnerships as well as the redevelopment of the company’s brand identity. As a licensed REALTOR in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia, along with her extensive experience in marketing, she has become a creative curator in real estate marketing and branding. Prior to her career in real estate, Kysha led Unruly Marketing, Inc as the Vice President of Marketing & Operations. There she spearheaded music promotions, marketing research and product placement projects for national brands, brand management and urban lifestyle marketing consulting. Kysha began her career in the music industry as the Music Marketing Director for DTLR – one of the country’s most successful lifestyle retailers (with 250+ locations across the country). While at DTLR she was instrumental in creating innovative marketing campaigns and strategic partnerships for major music distribution companies and multiple apparel & footwear brands – which resulted in significant incremental revenue, and brand loyalty. She also curated several retail marketing promotions & activations for various recording artists including: Kanye West, Ludacris, Ciara, Russell Simmons & more. Just before taking the dive into the world of entertainment, she led as a Senior Project Manager at The CAMMAY Group, a Marketing & Advertising Firm where she was responsible for a diverse roster of clients including: The Economic Development Corporation (EDC) of Prince George’s County, The County Executive of Prince George’s County, The Prince George’s County Police Department, WHUR (Howard University Radio), CBS Radio and Radio One. Today, Kysha is the Team Leader / Owner of the Kysha Merritt Group - a real estate consulting firm. She’s also a member of the Prince George’s County Association of Realtors, the American Women's Business Association (AWBA) and a preferred Realtor for the Prince George’s County Housing Authority. Beyond the world of entertainment, media and real estate, Kysha is a passionate professional dedicated to cultivating dynamic experiences through strategic partnerships and fruitful collaborations.

Angela Brice-Smith, Board Member. Angela has had a 30+ year employment at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), formerly the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA). Ms. Brice-Smith was hired into Federal public service as a Presid

Angela Brice-Smith, Board Member. Angela has had a 30+ year employment at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), formerly the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA). Ms. Brice-Smith was hired into Federal public service as a Presidential Management Intern, with concurrent Registered Nurse employment history in North Carolina, Virginia, Florida, and several Baltimore, MD metro area acute care hospitals. Her CMS career was highlighted to the ranks of Senior Executive Service with management opportunities across Medicare fee-for-service, Medicaid (Federal perspective), managed care in both Medicare and Medicaid, as well as the Marketplace (Exchanges aka Affordable Care Act). The primary focus of her Federal service varied inside the spectrum of compliance, from survey & certification, quality of care, to compliance with marketing, fiscal, or program integrity requirements. Toward the end of her Federal service, she engaged with private sector organizations, health care providers and a variety of community leaders to address interests in partnership, information sharing, new initiatives, and their needs or perspectives. Angela also did 19 years of bedside nursing in acute care hospitals, primarily, in the areas of oncology (administering chemotherapy drugs), and intensive care nursing. Since her retirement from Federal service and nursing, Angela has been a consultant to several clients prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. She currently serves on the Security Plus Federal Credit Union’s Supervisory Committee in Baltimore and on the Advisory Council of the Central Virginia Electric Cooperative. She also serves on the University of North Carolina’s School of Nursing Alumni Board, (entering her 2nd year now). She remains in tune to the rural challenges of electric power, safe water, internet access and health care services. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, and a Masters degree in Public Administration (with focus in public finance) from Virginia Commonwealth University (Richmond, VA). She has 1 son, 2 grandchildren, and enjoys walking in and managing forestry parcels, (a part of the Family Farm) in central Virginia. And you’ll likely see her volunteering with organizations that support minority youth on the ski slopes during the winter months. Angela Brice-Smith, is the owner/operator of Brice Hollow Pharms, LLC in Maryland and Virginia. She manages over 100 acres of 2nd generation loblolly pine (often used for writing paper, toilet paper, & softwood lumber) in Goochland County, Virginia. She is exploring opportunities toward agroforestry of medicinal crops.

Afia Fosua Agyekum, Board Member. Afia currently serves as a technical advisor for agriculture and livelihoods at ADRA International supporting several emergency and development projects around the World. Her role entails proposal design and writing,

Afia Fosua Agyekum, Board Member. Afia currently serves as a technical advisor for agriculture and livelihoods at ADRA International supporting several emergency and development projects around the World. Her role entails proposal design and writing, implementation support and documentation of learning. Afia has supported projects funded by several donors, both governmental and private cooperative bodies, ensuring all donor requirements are met and key outcomes of focus achieved. Her career in the humanitarian sector began with her internship with USAID FEWS Net, where she analyzed the World Food Program (WFP) food distribution data to map out countries receiving the most aid. With several years of experience in the non-profit sector, Afia supports the fight against poverty and hunger through livelihoods strengthening and diversification. As an astute strategic thinker and problem solver, her work focuses on developing innovative ideas that help support the livelihoods of vulnerable individuals using an inclusive, resilient and sustainable approach. She is a native of Ghana and currently holds a Master of Science in Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness and enjoys gardening during her free time.

Melissa Robinson, Board Member. Melissa Robinson is a distinguished Human Resources leader with extensive experience in HR strategy, employee relations, and talent management. Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, she identifies as an African American wit

Melissa Robinson, Board Member. Melissa Robinson is a distinguished Human Resources leader with extensive experience in HR strategy, employee relations, and talent management. Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, she identifies as an African American with strong Guyanese influences, shaped by her mother’s immigrant heritage. One of three children, Melissa grew up in a middle-class household where her parents prioritized education, enrolling her in Catholic schools throughout her formative years. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Brooklyn College in 2003. Currently residing in Jessup, MD, Melissa has established a successful career in HR leadership, holding key roles at Harris Corporation and Jacobs Engineering Group, now merged with Amentum. She is a strategic thinker specializing in workforce planning, diversity and inclusion, and conflict resolution. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, binge-watching television series, and cherishing quality time with her husband and three children.