Our Mission
The Community First Foundation is, we believe, the right idea at the right time to grapple with the chronic health conditions that impact communities of color, such as, diabetes, high blood pressure, and kidney disease. Additionally, we are looking forward to developing and implementing creative and innovative ways to promote community in these trying times.
The Community First Foundation has an invaluable role to play in the larger community. There was once a time where people knew their neighbors and felt connected to those who lived in their surrounding area. Unfortunately, now it is rare for neighbors to know each other's names and to interact on a personal level.
The times of a tight knit community may be gone, but we have not forgotten the positive impact a strong community has on children, their families, and society at large. It is The Community First Foundation's priority to recreate the bonds that we once had, and forge stronger and healthier communities, through nutrition, knowledge, and most importantly, Christ.
Board Members
Deja Scott - Vice President/ Business Office Supervisor
Darryl Scott - Board Member
Darryl is currently completing his senior year at Providence St. Mel High School. When he
begins college in the fall he intends to study forensic science and information technology. He
also hopes to play professional basketball in the future.
Darrick Scott - Board Member
Darrick graduated from college with a general Bachelor of Arts degree with a concentration in
criminal justice. He has always been passionate about playing basketball and has been blessed
to play in many countries, such as Italy, Columbia, and Belgium. He hopes to fulfill his dream of
being signed to a team in the near future.
Rachel Saclolo - Advocacy Director
Rachel was a graduate from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelors of Science
degree in health science and pursued an AND Certificate at Dominican University. She is
currently a dietetic intern with AdventHealth Orlando Dietetic Internship.
Gilda Mathis- Lemons- Chairman of the Board
Gilda has over 20 years of experience working in the medical field and in early childhood
education. She is the Founder and President of Mathis CPR Kares Inc. where she instructs
CPR classes in the city of Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.
Sharon Robinson- Chairman of the Board
Sharon is a licensed and ordained minister of the gospel. Her motto is “It’s an honor to be one of
God’s Earth Angels” and she views working as a chairman of the board at Community First
Foundation as another great opportunity to be of service.
Our Vision
Ultimately, The Community First Foundation desires policies to be reinforced and food systems redesigned in the Black, Brown and minority communities to address food insecurity. We must work towards a racially just food system that doesn’t perpetuate oppression and racism.
High poverty areas are flooded with liquid stores, fast food restaurants, and corner stores. Food Apartheid describes social and racial inequalities that are present in our food system. This term can be applied to the Austin community and neighboring areas. The food inequality that we see present in Chicago, as well as the country at large, is a man-made system of segregation and not a naturally occurring ecosystem of nutrition.
Change starts with supporting organizations like The Community
First Foundation, who advocates for systemic changes and amendments to public policies that continue to maintain our current system of Food Apartheid.
In addition to policy advocacy, this organization is working in tandem with the members of the communities that these policies impact to empower them to make healthier choices. The Community First Organization also prides itself
on an equitable distribution of knowledge of farming, nutrition, and food preparation that will aid the next generation in forging communities that are healthier.
