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ramon m. garcia
Ramon M Garcia is a lifelong activist and advocate for communities terrorized by colonialism. Garcia is co-founder and president of Original Equity Group SPC and co-creator of Equity Trade Certification and Equity Sessions, an educational resource dedicated to providing holistic education and networking for equity applicants and communities disproportionately damaged by the failed policies of the War on Drugs.
As a cannabis entrepreneur, Garcia is also a co-founder of Sanctuary Farms LLC, as well as Padre Mu Delivery and Distribution LLC. Ramon is also a former California Grower’s Association equity chair and now plays an active role as a member of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee for the Cannabis Distributors Association and The National Cannabis Industry Association.
Nina Parks
Nina Parks was born on Ramaytush, Ohlone Land aka San Francisco. Her mixed race heritage (Filipino & Ashkenazi Jewish American) and working middle class upbringing as a latchkey key kid in 1990’s San Francisco as well as early education as a part of an Affirmative Action Framework, fueled her love for art, community and cannabis. She approaches her life work of evolving systems that no longer want to model themselves with inequitable lenses, with a healthy dose of flower child playfulness, rebellion and love for humans as a whole beings.
Nina has since become an expert in cannabis & cannabis social equity policy; her advocacy landed her recognition in High Times Magazine’s 100 top influential people in Cannabis of 2018. Her Cannabis Equity advocacy was fueled by the incarceration of her brother in NYC and the launch of their Prop 215 compliant delivery; their story was featured on Viceland’s Weediquette "Going Legit".
Since then Parks has co-founded an organization for women of color in the cannabis industry called Supernova Women with co-founders Amber Senter, Tsion Lencho & Andrea Unsworth. She is also a Founding Member of the Equity Trade Network that holds the first Federal Certification that identifies products created by businesses in an "Equity Program."
As if Nina didn't already have her hands full she has taken on the responsibility of sitting on San Francisco's Oversight Committee as the Verified Equity Applicant representative and Racial Equity Lead and is currently building out her own Cannabis inspired brand Gift of Doja.
Chelsea Candelaria, is a consultant, entrepreneur, and scientist with a deep love for her community and culture. Prior to entering the cannabis industry Chelsea spent a decade managing environmental and energy programs. She views all things through both a lens of compassion and science. Chelsea has dedicated her career in cannabis to uplifting her community through economic empowerment and education. She has developed a deep knowledge of Operations and Sales systems. She now sits on the board of The Equity Trade Network, helping to build an ecosystem for small BIPOC and Justice impacted businesses to thrive.
chelsea Candelaria
Chelsea is a recognized leader in the industry and has been featured in publications such as The Huffington Post and the East Bay Express. Chelsea is also the Founder of Calling Marijane, a platform that promotes authentic culture through cannabis, business and a healthy lifestyle.
Ishaq is an experienced policy analyst with a demonstrated history of working in public affairs and operational development with a focus on regulatory compliance, qualitative research, DEI, and market expansion in the cannabis industry. Ishaq has most recently turned his focus towards social impact in the cannabis industry helping launch, manage, and grow the Momentum cannabis business accelerator [formerly] at Eaze; co-founding Halal Hemp, a global initiative to bring hemp and cannabinoid based medicine to the greater Muslim community; and participating on the Board of Equity Trade Network to help develop networks of resources, programming, and funding for Social Equity and Legacy brands around the country.
Ishaq ali
Terryn Nile Buxton
Terryn has been in the legal cannabis industry for almost 20years. Terryn co-founded Oakland Extracts in 2013, making OE the oldest POC owned concentrate company in California.
Terryn has worked in sales, edible manufacturing, inventory management and many other facets of the cannabis industry.
Terryn had been on the board of the California Growers Association, the Oakland Cannabis Regulatory Commission, and the Oakland Private Industry Council.
Terryn Buxton is committed to being a resource for all POC and equity candidates in the cannabis space.
Richard Ng
Richard Ng is a Social Impact Strategist who leverages his decades of experience in social impact strategy, nonprofit program management, public education administration, and technology innovation to drive impactful initiatives that eliminate barriers for Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities. He has developed high impact initiatives focusing on education equity, economic mobility, racial justice and social equity for global corporations and high profile nonprofit organizations in the technology, materials, cannabis, and social justice sectors. As a Kānaka Maoli born and raised in Hawaiʻi on the island of Oʻahu Richard believes Aloha is the force for good in the universe that brings all things together. He is passionate about purpose and creating platforms that leverage the power of business for positive social impact.