By Ms Jheri Worldwide
Staff Writer
Justin Walker, a dynamic community leader and farmer, recently shared his remarkable journey, one deeply rooted in the power of food, community, and an unwavering commitment to cultivating positive change. His path, winding from the seafood houses of coastal North Carolina to the fertile ground of community building in Durham, illustrates a life dedicated to understanding and addressing the needs of others.
Justin's connection to food began in childhood, shaped by the hands of his grandparents, mother, and great aunts. "All of the origin of me, as it relates to food, both prepared and grown... came from my grandparents, my mom, great aunts, and other elders who are no longer here on this plane," he explained. Memories of shelling butter beans and cowpeas, and the visceral experience of preparing chickens from scratch at a young age, ingrained in him the profound value of food and its place in community. His first foray into the professional culinary world began at age 14, working in Calabash seafood houses. Growing up in Sunset Beach, with Calabash as his backyard and Ocean Isle Beach his front, these early experiences were foundational. He watched and learned from older women who took him under their wing. This early exposure solidified his desire to cook, a passion that continued through college breaks, and the realization that preparing food for others was his "love language."
While his culinary skills were blossoming, Justin’s academic journey took an unexpected route. His college enrollment was a result of his mother's intervention, a pivotal moment that redirected him from a path of involvement in crime. He recounts a dramatic moment when his mother’s ultimatum forced him to reroute his priorities. Even a brief consideration of joining the military was met with surprising discouragement from recruiters, who seemed to sense his independent spirit. Walker studied public relations and broadcasting at UNC Pembroke, finding a new sense of purpose in public relations. "I got excited when I found PR because they gave me a better idea of how to frame information," he shared, envisioning how he could apply these skills to uplift his community through legitimate business ventures persuading friends away from illegal activities.
After graduating from UNC Pembroke in 2010, Justin embarked on a professional culinary career, starting in Key Largo, Florida. This was his first time away from home, working as a professional chef for "the elite," including owners of baseball teams and golf legends. He then moved to Charleston, South Carolina, spending four years immersed in the rich Gullah culture of James and Johns Island, cooking alongside women whose culinary wisdom reminded him of his upbringing. Charleston also unveiled a deeper historical understanding. Justin realized he was cooking in the heart of Gullah country, connecting to stories of his ancestor’s arrival in Charleston from a slave ship. He noted the stark contrast between the city's celebrated hospitality and its complex history, observing that cruise ships now dock at the same ports where enslaved people once arrived. His time in professional kitchens also brought an awareness of racial dynamics within the industry. "Most of us are either stewards or prep cooks... doing all the heavy lifting so the white dudes and the cooks can come in and look like they got everything under control," he observed. Despite not attending culinary school, Justin's innate ability to absorb information allowed him to excel, even teaching formally trained chefs.
A profound shift occurred when Justin and his wife, a travel nurse, moved to San Diego, California. The pervasive homelessness he witnessed there, a stark contrast to his experience on Kiawah Island, deeply affected him. "I just didn’t understand how this was possible. There are babies, there are older people... on the street," he recalled. This moved him to action, leading him to make sandwiches to distribute on his bike, while listening to the stories of those experiencing homelessness. This experience prompted a reevaluation of his culinary path. "These little ham and cheese sandwiches that I'm making and a bag of apples feel way more meaningful than high-end plates for Tiger Woods and the PGA Tour," he stated. His curiosity also led him to explore labor issues on avocado farms, witnessing firsthand the exploitation of undocumented workers. This period ignited his passion for gardening, as he began growing herbs on windowsills and experimenting with plants. The pandemic brought the Walker’s back to North Carolina, settling in Durham after a brief stay in Sanford. With their own home, Justin finally had the space to cultivate a garden, which has expanded every year since.
Recognizing a desire to do more for his community, and drawing on his positive experiences with outdoor camps as a child, Justin pursued a Master's in Social Work at NC State, graduating last spring. He credits a graduate teaching assistant scholarship with funding his entire program. This academic pursuit was driven by his desire to find "creative ways to invite people into that mindset" of empowerment and choice. He now actively integrates his passions at Boomerang Youth in Chapel Hill. BYI is an alternative to suspension program, where Justin works with children, teaching them to plant radishes and carrots, especially those in homeless shelters with no immediate end in sight for their stay. He also cooks for shelter residents, using fresh produce from his garden when possible, and demonstrating how to make nutritious, delicious food on a budget. "I'm trying to figure out how to talk about gardening in a square-foot space... You can grow your food in a space the size of this table," he emphasized.
Justin Walker’s life experiences have solidified his belief in the importance of recognizing and utilizing available resources. Justin's journey is a powerful testament to resilience, transformation, and the enduring impact of personal connection. He is "packaging [his experiences] in a way that’s palatable and relatable," always seeking to "talk to people and be with people where they are." His work reminds us that by nurturing both the earth and our communities, we can cultivate a more empowered and connected future for all.
