Imani Black

Imani Black is the founder and executive director of Minorities in Aquaculture (MIA), a nonprofit dedicated to increasing the representation and leadership of women of color and other underrepresented communities in sustainable aquaculture. Through MIA, she builds tangible pathways for diverse individuals to engage in environmentally responsible seafood production, and she offers hands-on training programs that provide real-world, on-the-water experience from hatchery to harvest.

A passionate advocate for environmental stewardship, Black’s work bridges science, community and industry. She combines advocacy with direct action and advances sustainable aquaculture practices that support both ecosystem health and local economies, particularly within the Chesapeake Bay region. In 2024, Black obtained her master’s degree from University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science’s at Horn Point Laboratory. In 2025, she also launched a bi-monthly column in The Aquaculture North America magazine, “Generation Aqua,” to advance thinking on  workforce development, culture and community. 

Since founding MIA, Black has focused on workforce development and career access for individuals historically excluded from aquaculture — particularly women, people of color and LGBTQ+ communities. Where others see barriers, she envisions opportunity and innovation that can reshape the future of sustainable seafood to be more inclusive, equitable and impactful.

Raised on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Black knew by age seven that she wanted a career in marine science. Her lifelong passion for restoration and conservation continues to fuel her mission: to expand the benefits and sustainability of aquaculture far beyond the Chesapeake Bay and to empower the next generation of environmental leaders.