Damian Bascom is an entrepreneur and community organizer. He owns and operates two businesses, and is one of the key individuals spearheading developments surrounding food cooperatives in Ward 8. He has attended several national conferences on cooperative structures, and participated in the training programs offered regarding the formation of a cooperative business. Damian served with Americorp between 2012-2013 where he worked on urban agriculture with a middle school in Prince George’s County, and assisted with opening the Suitland Farmer’s Market. His time in Americorp alerted him to the low numbers of Black farmers as well as food issues and challenges in urban communities. He believes that food is key to prosperity, especially after observing the differences in food quality between neighborhoods, and believes that solving these issues begins with education and ownership of the means of distribution.