Collections by Michelle Brown WSG Liz Ross-Vegan Advocacy Initiative

Say “Vegan” and most will answer “No meat. No Dairy. A person who does not eat or use animal products.”  The ensuing conversation often includes dietary choices, trendy restaurants and an occasional eye-roll.

But for Liz Ross our guest on Collections by Michelle Brown being a vegan goes beyond a dietary choice.

Originally from Trinidad, Liz has lived many places but calls Los Angeles, CA home. Ross is Co-founder and Director of Vegan Advocacy Initiative, (formerly Coalition of Vegan Activists of Color), a woman-of-color-led nonprofit organization.  VAI is an animal advocacy and vegan food justice organization that creates and events to encourage the public to consider a holistic way of thinking that upholds animal rights.  Their initiatives also encourage others to view animal rights as part of the food justice and environmental justice movements in order to create more sustainable and fair systems. 

She is also co-creator of the People of Color: Animal Rights, Advocacy and Food Justice Conference, which takes place in Los Angeles and organized through Vegan Advocacy Initiative.  This conference is the first-of-its kind in the US that provides a platform for speakers of color who are leaders and activists in the animal rights, vegan outreach and food justice movement.  Liz also gives presentations on why issues of racism and classism matter when doing effective vegan outreach.

A former police officer, Liz also raises awareness about the history of racial bias in the criminal justice system, mass-incarceration and the so-called “War on Drugs”, through presentations, and she also volunteers for organizations that are working to counter its negative impact.