Antonio Rafael is an indigenous (Coahuiltecan and Boricua) agroecologist, educator, outdoorsman, radical economist, artist, beekeeper, and gardener from Southwest, Detroit.

As an educator, facilitator and consultant he weaves together disparate phenomena from economic and environmental history to the current neoliberal assault on public goods in a way that’s easily digestible for all grade levels from youth to professionals. His political street art has gone viral, been featured in movies, articles, and movements. Learn more: #decolonizeDetroit​ Antonio organizes with his neighborhood through his agroecology and arts center called Southwest Grows. #SWGrows​

He and neighbor-gardeners started a beekeeping cooperative called Southwest Beetroit. #SWBeetroit​ Sharing his love for nature, he co-founded the Black to the Land Coalition to encourage BIPOC Detroit residents to explore the outdoors. #blacktotheland​ He works closely with Anishinaabe communities across the Great Lakes, hunting, harvesting wild rice, and building birch bark canoes. Antonio works with the National Wildlife Federation pouring his knowledge and networks into developing the Detroit Leadership and Environmental Education Program, to cultivate the next generation of critically conscious environmental leaders from Detroit High School Students.

Check out Antonio's IG profiles to see what he's up to with these projects!

@blacktothelanddetroit

@swbeetroit

@313LEEP

Migwech/Hiy-Hiy (Thank You) Remember to check out our website for updates and how to get in contact with us! https://www.asmudgeforyourthoughts.com/