Keesa Johnson, M.Des.

Keesa V. Johnson, M.Des.

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Food Systems Strategy Design Specialist
Center for Regional Food Systems

Keesa is a Food Systems Strategy Design Specialist at the MSU Center Regional Food Systems where she is helping to co-create an equitable food future through policy advocacy and co-design within the Michigan Local Food Council Network. In her role she helps to build organizational capacity for executing individual and collective initiatives throughout the state. She provides design strategy, equity training, technical assistance and relationship-building for all Michigan local food councils.

Keesa is an award-winning human-centered-systems designer who focuses on equity and access issues in Food systems. She is a 2021 graduate of the University of Michigan Penny Stamps School of Art and Design school where she was awarded honors in sustainability and design leadership. Her research paradigm is centered in transformative practices for social impact. She deliberately uses African and Indigenous methodologies and methods to create bridging/healing within community designs across the state of Michigan communities. Prior to coming to CRFS, Keesa worked as the DEI Farm manager for the University of Michigan Campus Farm. She is also the first Racial Equity Chair for the Washtenaw food policy council and runs a social impact design firm called the Equity and Access Group.