Ron Finley

Ron Finley (born 1959) is an American urban gardener and community activist from South Central Los Angeles. Known as the “Gangsta Gardener,” he promotes growing food in underserved neighborhoods and advocates for community access to fresh produce. Finley gained wider recognition through a TED talk about planting and food justice, helping bring national attention to his work. He founded the Ron Finley Project, an initiative focused on transforming urban spaces into gardens and encouraging people to grow their own food. Through public speaking and hands-on projects, he has become a prominent voice in the movement for healthier, more self-sufficient communities.