Umoja Food Collective

Rahje Branch (she/her)

“As an African American woman born and raised in South Los Angeles, I am well aware of the inequities surrounding access to food: dilapidated grocery stores, limited access to healthy food options, an abundance of fast-food and liquor stores. I look forward to improving the political conditions that will provide an abundance of affordable healthy food options to those in my community.”

Umoja Food Collective is committed to supporting local Black food entrepreneurs to combat food apartheid and increase economic opportunities for Black communities in Los Angeles and its neighboring areas.

Rahje Branch, a native of Los Angeles, is the Executive Director of Umoja Food Collective. She brings a wealth of experience from her background in consulting for small businesses and nonprofits, and has held significant leadership roles at the U.S. Surgeon General's office and The Steve Fund, where she focused on community engagement and network building. Rahje is dedicated to promoting equity in the food industry by supporting Black-owned businesses and addressing systemic disparities. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and spending quality moments with her loved ones.