Tyrean “Heru” Lewis, founder of Heru Urban Farming, is on a mission to dismantle food apartheid in St. Louis. Raised in North St. Louis, Tyrean witnessed firsthand how systemic inequities left his community without access to fresh, nutritious food. His awakening came during a visit to several grocery stores, where he saw how wealthier neighborhoods were stocked with abundant, high-quality produce while his own neighborhood was left with scraps. Recognizing this disparity as food apartheid—a deliberate system of exclusion—Tyrean took action. Starting with buckets on his porch, Tyrean transformed vacant lots into thriving gardens.

A fourth-generation farmer, Tyrean also teaches youth and neighbors to grow their own food, fostering self-sufficiency and restoring power to communities long neglected by the food system.

Heru Urban Farming isn’t just about growing food; it’s about creating a movement to liberate communities. Tyrean’s work is a blueprint for food justice, proving that reclaiming land and prioritizing people over profit can heal both bodies and communities.