VOICES OF FLINT

After injuring his back in an automotive factory, Jason Bey found a new passion in beekeeping. He now independently owns and operates MY BEES NEST L.L.C out of his own home in Flint, providing the community with fresh honey and other bee-made products from Flint's first local bee farm.

Dora King is the co-founder of Kings Karate in Flint, alongside her late husband Jacky King. The karate school doubles as an urban farm, maintaining the Harvesting Earth Educational Farm across the street from the school. Dora and Jacky were previously featured in Kings of Flint, and the former returns in Organic Network to discuss how the school and farm are doing post-pandemic.

Hakim Gillard previously appeared in Kings of Flint as a 15-year-old student at Kings Karate. He returns in Organic Network, now a father, with his daughter Tamera. Hakim has always seen the team at King Karate and the Harvesting Earth Educational Farm as a family, and now that sense of connection is being passed down to the next generation.

Jason "Bigfoot" Pomeroy has been affiliated with Kings Karate for the past 30 years. Once a student of Dora and Jacky King, Jason is now an instructor at the school, and his son Noah now trains and works hard as a student himself. The Pomeroys reflect on their time with the Kings and express the importance of locally grown food.

Dr. Laura Schmitt Olabisi is an associate professor in Michigan State University's Department of Community Sustainability and Environmental Science and Policy Program. In Organic Network, Dr. Olabisi discusses the concept of food insecurity in Flint; Flint's recent history has necessitated external food aid, but the city is in danger of becoming reliant on such aid, leaving little room for local food sources.