Ron Finley is a world-famous gardener, designer, and change-maker whose mission is simple yet profound: turn food deserts into food sanctuaries. Raised in the neighborhoods of South Central Los Angeles, which he dubbed a “food prison,” Ron witnessed firsthand the absence of fresh produce and the struggle families endured just to eat well. 

In 2010, he did the seemingly small but radical act of planting vegetables in the narrow strip of land between his sidewalk and curb, a city-owned “parkway.” When the city cited him, Ron didn’t back down. He led a petition, rallied support, and ultimately helped change city policy so that residents could garden on those strips legally. 

That garden became the seed of a movement. Today, through the Ron Finley Project, he leads education, community gardens, and cultural activations that empower neighbors to grow food, heal soil, and reclaim space.  Ron’s message went global after he gave a viral TED Talk on “guerrilla gardening,” now watched by millions. Ron Finley’s eye for design, beauty and nature has led cities worldwide to seek his guidance on gardens, community centers, streetscapes.

Ron often frames his work in poetic, defiant terms. “Gardening is gangsta,” he says, “because once you grow your own food, it’s something no one can take from you.” He believes thriving communities start in the soil, and with every seed planted, he’s disrupting systems, nourishing lives, and redefining what power looks like on city blocks. 

As a member of Destination Crenshaw’s Curatorial Team, Ron brings his unapologetic voice, and deep understanding of fashion, streetart, and landscapes to help shape how art and green space intersect along the Crenshaw Corridor.