solfood was born from a simple truth: our communities already hold the wisdom, the talent, and the vision to build the futures we deserve. What's often missing is space.

Space to gather. Space to cook and share food. Space to teach, organize, dream, and build together.

We are residents, dreamers, and builders. Strategists grounded in community. Chefs, entrepreneurs, organizers, and creatives who have spent years showing up — producing events, feeding people, building programs, and holding space for possibility.

About Solfood

Through hundreds of conversations with neighbors, elders, organizers, and young people, we kept hearing the same thing: We have the people. We have the ideas. What we need is the space.

solfood exists to help create that space — rooted in a few simple beliefs:

So we steward spaces where community can gather, activate, and build together. Spaces that are open, rooted, and alive with possibility. Spaces that take their direction from the people who live here.

Because when the right space exists, community does the rest.

The Story so far

solfood began as an idea about reclaiming underutilized spaces — the churches, civic halls, and community institutions that sit empty most of the week despite being trusted anchors in their neighborhoods.

It has grown into something more specific: a place-based initiative rooted at the California Hotel in West Oakland, stewarding a 1,100-square-foot community space and garden in partnership with EBALDC.

We started here because this is where Maurice is from. This is where the relationships are. This is where the work is real.

What we believe

Community spaces belong to communities.
Food carries memory, culture, and connection — and deserves to be treated that way.
Elders hold knowledge that won't survive if we don't create space to pass it on.
The people most affected by a problem are best positioned to address it.
Infrastructure is not neutral. Who controls it matters.

Co-Founders

Maurice Wilkins

Co-Founder & CEO
A visionary dedicated to creating spaces where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Clarence Sanon

Co-Founder & COO
An entrepreneur committed to empowering others to turn dreams into reality.

Our Advisory Board

Needa Bee

Community organizer & co-founder of The Village. Advocate for unhoused rights through grassroots mobilization and culinary activism.
Court Williams

Equity strategist blending food justice, archival work, and corporate anti-oppression frameworks.
Ajene Green

Co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer at Retrospect Studios. Strategic storyteller amplifying Black-owned businesses.
Nora Jendoubi

Arrow Impact Director (Wharton MBA/Harvard MPA). Systems thinker bridging real estate & social equity.

Chris Ard

Commercial Banker @ BofA | Howard MBA | Financial strategist for SMB growth & credit risk mitigation.
Ricardo Neal

Nonprofit strategist & Propel Agency leader. Education equity advocate with MSW from Boston U.
Dr. Charisma Acey

UC Berkeley Food Systems Chair | James Beard Leadership Award | Urban agriculture policy expert.