2022 School of Political Leadership 

Viviana is a mixed Chicana urban farmer, herbalist, animal keeper, and mycoremediator in occupied Kiikaapoi, Očhéthi Šakówiŋ, Kaskaskia, and Myammia territories. For 5 generations their family has lived in the unique biome now known as the Southside of Chicago. As an immunocompromised person with a food-related illness who grew up in an area experiencing environmental injustice and food apartheid, for them this work in our food system is for survival. They have had the privilege to learn from movement ancestors and elders on issues of im/migration rights, Indigenous land and water defense, abolition, labor rights, and health equity. They’ve co-founded a cooperative community garden, a land stewardship initiative and an indoor mushroom growing business. They’re inspired to co-create spaces of mutual support for Earthworkers and fellow transformers of our communities. They ground their work in reverence to the land, water, air to honor and regain food and medicine sovereignty.