Kathy Grant — born Kathleen Stanford Grant — a professional dancer and choreographer, became the first African American certified Pilates instructor. According to oral histories, Grant at times entered the building where she trained through the back door, posing as "the help," in order to safely access the space. 

These histories matter. They remind us that wellness has never existed outside of larger social realities — and that access, belonging, and safety have always shaped who gets to participate in healing spaces. This is precisely why the work we do at the Sage D Collective must hold both the promise and the complexity of the practices we embrace.

Not every market begins with abundance. Some begin with a question. In Waycross, that question was simple: why is it so hard to find fresh, local food in a place surrounded by land that can grow it?

In 2014, that question brought a small group together inside a local history museum. Led by Connie Oliver, the Homestead Guild became a gathering place for people who cared about growing food, living simply, and reconnecting with the land.

Instead of accepting the limitations Connie had observed, she began to re-imagine what a market could be, and from Connie’s vision, WayGreen’s Local Fare Market was born.

There is a kind of courage that does not announce itself. It doesn't seek applause or wait for consensus. It simply moves, trusting the direction even when the path is still forming beneath your feet.

This is the courage that innovation requires. And if you have ever stepped into something truly new, a vision that others couldn't yet see, a direction that felt right before it looked right, then you already know what it asks of you. You will likely become the villain in other people’s story in order to be the hero in yours.

As we prepare to launch the Giving Circle grant process, we asked member Lita Hooper to reflect on what this moment means for the collective and the leaders it will support. Lita is leading the advisory council for this initiative and has spent years working in education and with nonprofit organizations. Here, she shares why this approach to funding feels different.

At SageD, innovation rarely looks like a product launch or a pivot strategy. More often, it looks like two women in the same room discovering that their work, though rooted in entirely different soil, is growing toward the same light. That is exactly what happened when Jennifer Thompson, manager of the Grant Park Farmers Market and a steadfast voice in Georgia's food justice movement, and Charmaine Minniefield, founder of the Praise House Project and a multidisciplinary artist devoted to cultural memory and historic preservation, met each other at Meena’s Manor, The Sage D Collective's community space. Their connection, intergenerational, cross-sector, and deeply rooted in the coastal traditions of Georgia, is a living example of what becomes possible when we create intentional space for women to lead. United Way of Greater Atlanta captured their story beautifully, and we are honored to share it here.

There has always been a road between Georgias fields and its cities. It has always carried more than produce. From my many visits between urban centers and small towns, I’ve come to understand that this road carries stories, livelihoods and the quiet labor of women who keep our communities fed.

If you've ever spent a Saturday morning beneath Forsyth Park's oaks, you know Savannah's unique rhythm - hum with conversation, music, and the aroma of something good cooking.

Farmers' markets are often talked about as pleasant places to shop or gather, but their role runs much deeper

When farmers markets are intentionally supported, they contribute to local economic circulation.

As we entered the new year, we took time to reflect on how we showed up for one another during the final months of the last year—especially in a season that asked more of our communities than it gave back.

October serves as both Gullah Geechee Heritage Month and a time that we prepare to celebrate Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). As leaves deepen their hue and the light softens, we enter a season devoted to remembering — to honoring the tradition, resilience, and innovation of our ancestors. 

The launch of our Flagship Market Leaders Community of Practice (CoP) on September 3rd felt like such a full-circle moment.

The scent of funnel cake and the glow of colorful lights highlighting rides and games–these are the familiar hallmarks of statewide fairs and festivals happening in communities across Georgia.

If you had to take a look at how you have been running your organization and managing your business, how would you evaluate your efforts not only as a leader but as a change maker?

This summer’s series highlighted just how powerful a Community of Practice can be. Each facilitator brought forward practices and insights that sparked reflection, encouraged collaboration, and reinforced the value of building together.

On the surface, proclamations can feel ceremonial, but for the food space community, this one marks something more significant.

When we gathered for the Welcome Retreat of our 2025 Legacy Leadership Cohort, it wasn’t just about information or orientation. It was about presence and laying the groundwork for a shared journey. At its heart, this moment illustrated the intention behind welcoming each leader with care and reminding them that this space was built for them to thrive.

Universal Design isn’t just for buildings. It’s a framework for building teams where everyone can thrive.

We are proud to introduce the newest Executive cohort of the Legacy Leadership Project, a dynamic group of creative leaders and changemakers committed to furthering equity, building a legacy, and transforming leadership.

As we navigate the evolving social and political landscape, we have revisited what we truly value as a Collective. Our work has always been about more than just strategy, it is about legacy, justice, and transformation. With that in mind, we are proud to share our refined core values, the principles that will continue to guide us as we build, sustain, and grow together.