On this week’s PreserveCast, we’re heading to the brackish waters of the Chesapeake Bay on this re-released episode with Imani Black, founder of Minorities in Aquaculture, a dynamic organization that is using heritage and history and a host of other innovative tools to develop opportunities for minorities to engage in this growing and sustainable industry. 

Like many guests, I read about Imani in an article and knew we had to get her on PreserveCast – especially because of her background, heritage and focus on using history to get minorities interested and engaged in careers in aquaculture. We’re talking sustainability, environmentalism, history and the bay on this week’s PreserveCast. 

More About Our Guest

Imani is an African American oyster farmer building a career in the rapidly growing aquaculture industry. She was born and raised on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and her love for conservation and restoration on the Chesapeake Bay started at a young age. Imani comes from a long family history of watermen from Rock Hall, Crisfield and Cambridge, MD that dates back over 200 years. Imani attended Old Dominion University and graduated with a Marine Biology degree and was a Division 1 student athlete in lacrosse. 

During college, Imani interned for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s VA Oyster Restoration Team which started her journey into oyster restoration and shellfish aquaculture. Following graduation, Imani was selected to participate in the VIMS’ Aquaculture Genetics & Breeding Technology Center’s (ABC), Oyster Aquaculture Training (OAT) program which targets those pursuing careers in all aspects of oyster aquaculture, from hatchery operations to grow-out and processing. 

Imani continued to work for oyster companies in VA and MD. For the last 2 years, Imani has served at the first privately-owned hatchery in Maryland as a lead Hatchery Technician and Assistant Manager. Imani’s passion for the aquaculture industry lead her to launch “Minorities In Aquaculture” (MIA). Through MIA, Imani seeks to promote the benefits and sustainability of aquaculture, both in the Chesapeake Bay and worldwide. By sharing her experiences, she works to educate and encourage minorities to pursue a career in all aspects of aquaculture.

Learn more at: https://www.mianpo.org/