Gordon South

Gordon has worked over the last fifteen years to to promote health equity and earth/land justice. He has a strong background in fostering community driven health / food systems working at federal, state and local levels. This involved working in behavioral health and public health systems systems serving communities across Arizona and Southwest Colorado. Over the last eight years, he has worked to develop patient centered healthcare programs in Southwest Colorado, at a Community Health Center, a local health department and Center for Independent Living . Throughout various roles, Gordon has led multiple participatory leadership projects, focused in creating opportunities to shift power to marginalized community members in addressing their local health issues. In addition, Gordon has a strong background in developing regenerative , community driven food systems. Over the past six years, this has involved working with indigenous farming communities in the Tropical Andes of Peru to work together to grow native food forest, that provide economic and ecological value. In addition, in South Phoenix, AZ and La Plata County, CO, Gordon has worked with marginalized communities to develop local food systems, including the development of several community gardening projects. Gordon is especially passionate about working to support the leadership of young people in addressing health disparities and the climate crisis. He strives to create the conditions for direct democracy, as we move away from extractive economies that are based on a cycle of colonialization, capitalism and racism, and sacrifice people and the land to sustain thier growth.