We had the good fortune of connecting with Stephen Ritz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Stephen, what matters most to you?
Purpose.

I believe that children should not have to leave their neighborhoods to live, learn, earn, and play in a better one.
My life is driven by purpose, because I believe that every person should be a part of success instead of apart from it. This drives me to fight for the students I teach every day, the teachers I train every day, and the communities I serve every day.
Mindful that there is a “Bronx” in every city around the world, the greatest natural resource in the world is the untapped potential in marginalized and underserved communities around the world.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
In 2011, I started Green Bronx Machine with 17 disconnected over-aged and under-credited students. Fast forward 10 years, Green Bronx Machine serves 100,000 students in 20 states and 6 nations, and is regarded as a Top 10 Health and Wellness Program, a Top 100 Education Innovation, an Emmy Award Winner, and a recipient of back-to-back Social Innovation Awards. 165,000 pounds of vegetables later, our favorite crops are organically grown citizens, high performing schools, happy and healthy children, and students who love growing and eating nutritious and delicious vegetables in school en route to outstanding academic performance.

Green Bronx Machine builds healthy, equitable, and resilient communities through inspired education, local food systems, and 21st Century workforce development. Dedicated to cultivating minds and harvesting hope, our school-based model using urban agriculture aligned to key school performance indicators grows healthy students and healthy schools to transform communities that are fragmented and marginalized into neighborhoods that are inclusive and thriving.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would take them to Green Bronx Machine’s headquarters: the National Health, Wellness & Learning Center (https://greenbronxmachine.org/video/back-to-school-at-the-national-health-wellness-learning-center/) at Community School 55 and our flourishing Food For Others Garden (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SoTfZ7cH38), both located in the beautiful Bronx. Our students would cook up a delicious and nutritious meal with locally grown produce – farmed right here in our classroom! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sH1SqtANsc8)

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
To be clear: I stand on the shoulders of giants, and I am forever grateful.

I did not grow up rich, I did not grow up wealthy, I grew up loved – and that has made all the difference.

From my parents, to my teachers, to my community elders, and now most importantly my students, their love and support has lifted me daily and continues to be my north star.

Website: https://greenbronxmachine.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greenbronxmachine/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenritz/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/greenBXmachine

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/green.BX.machine/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/greenbronxmachine

Other: https://stephenritz.com

Image Credits
Green Bronx Machine

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlanta is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.