About NEBRS

History

NEBRS was founded because we believe that human relationship to land is the soil from which belonging grows, and public control of the land base is a direct response to multiple crises facing our neighborhood, from declining health, to poverty, to gun violence.

Recognizing that land access and site control are the primary bottlenecks for transformative environmental and food justice, founder Fitzhugh Shaw–a longtime 15104 resident and food justice organizer–organized NEBRS in 2024 through the New Sun Rising Launch EJ Incubator to create a vehicle for real land reform.

We understand that common land ownership isn't just a logistical goal, it’s the necessary foundation for a healthy, vibrant future where our neighbors and their families can truly thrive. We believe that models of community organizing like ours can shift our region away from the controlling power of extractive industries towards ecologically-centered development.

Staff

NEBRS' founder and Executive Director is Fitzhugh Shaw.

Fitzhugh has been working in food and environmental justice for over a decade, from academic writing on food politics and native solarpunk, to managing urban farms and helping to steer county-level organizing projects. He has worked on grant panels for the USDA, served as a member national fellowships focusing on issues of racial justice, and is a longtime resident of the 15104.

Board of Directors

Diamond Estes,
President

Diamond is Violence Interrupter with Cure VIBE GVCS, and founder of Grounded Mushroom Coffee. I’ve always been passionate about building from the ground up—from natural products to hands-on skills in construction and design. Focused on self-sufficiency, innovation, and living in alignment with nature.

Edith Abeyta,
Member

Edith Abeyta is an artist and co-founding member of North Braddock Residents For Our Future, a grassroots volunteer community based organization that focuses on environmental issues in the Mon Valley. She was awarded the 2020 Community Sentinel Award for Environmental Stewardship. Additionally, she maintains a civically-engaged art practice with residents in the Pittsburgh neighborhood of Hazelwood under the title "Arts Excursions Unlimited".

Chardaè Jones,
Secretary

Chardaè Jones, a lifelong Braddock resident, is a writer, published author, professional volunteer, a community connector, and a 2021 Pittsburgh Magazine 40 Under 40 awardee. Chardaè is the former Mayor of Braddock and now a Councilwoman. She hopes to work with her colleagues and the community to revive the borough's parks, create more partnerships within the community, and continue to create a transparent and accessible government.

Glenn Ford,
Member

Glenn Ormand Ford is an entrepreneur, community advocate, and leader driven by a passion for empowering others and fostering positive change. Across his work in business, local government, and social innovation, Glenn’s commitment is grounded in three core pillars:

empowerment, sustainable development, and community advocacy. He connects people, resources, and ideas: driving progress, opportunity, and meaningful impact for communities and the next generation of leaders.

Andrew Woomer,
Treasurer

Andrew is a long-time environmental justice advocate and mutual aid organizer who cares deeply about people and the ecologies that they inhabit. He currently works as a Behavioral Health First Responder and also serves as Executive Director of Redtail Resilience Network. When he's not busy with work, you can find him tending to his garden in Swissvale, spending too much money on jukeboxes, or cooking breakfast with his friends.

Cassie Staub,
Member

Cassie Staub is a long-time educator working with Braddock Youth Project. For over seven years, Cassie has been Director of the Project's Garden Team and Food Literacy programs. In this work, she teaches youth gardening with the goal of building confidence in the power to create change and to build self-esteem. Cassie has tirelessly advocated for youth representation and youth voice across a host of local issues in Braddock and the Mon Valley.

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