Uplifting Communities Through Urban Agriculture: Malique Middleton’s Entrepreneurship Residency with the DaVinci Center at the Health Hub
The intersection of innovation, entrepreneurship, and community impact is embodied in the work of Malique Middleton, a recent graduate of VCU’s Master of Product Innovation program at the DaVinci Center. With a passion for urban agriculture, environmental justice, and food access, Middleton has taken his expertise to the VCU Health Hub at 25th through an entrepreneurship residency designed to foster community-based solutions.
From Innovation to Impact
Middleton’s academic journey focused on interdisciplinary learning, covering business fundamentals, engineering, and product development. However, his specialization in urban agriculture set him apart. Through his natural skincare business—recognized by the USDA as a value-added product—Middleton integrates farming with product innovation, growing various ingredients and transforming them into skincare items. His work extends beyond commerce, delving into environmental injustice, food insecurity, and community farming. His engagement with local farming initiatives includes growing food and flowers that support biodiversity and donating fresh produce to RVA Community Fridges, where community kitchens convert donations into meals for those in need. This holistic approach was at the heart of his graduate thesis and continues to guide his efforts post-graduation.
Bringing Urban Agriculture to the Health Hub
As part of his residency with the VCU DaVinci Center, Middleton is leveraging his expertise to educate community members at the VCU Health Hub at 25th. He is developing workshops on gardening basics, composting, and guerilla gardening techniques—teaching residents how to cultivate food and transform underutilized spaces into green havens. His work aligns with broader health and wellness initiatives, highlighting how gardening supports physical health, nutrition, and mental well-being by fostering mindfulness and a connection with nature.
Beyond hands-on training, Middleton is also passionate about helping individuals navigate USDA programs and obtain official farm certifications, unlocking access to valuable resources for small-scale and urban farmers. He collaborates with organizations like Virginia State University, Virginia Tech, and the Beginning Farmer Rancher program, ensuring that Richmond remains a hub for urban agriculture innovation.
Design Thinking and Community Engagement
Middleton’s role at the Health Hub also incorporates design thinking—a methodology centered on human-centered problem-solving and empathy. As a trained design thinker, he hopes to contribute to helping the Health Hub refine its approach to community outreach and resource provision. His residency serves as a bridge between the Health Hub, DaVinci Center, and the greater Church Hill community, fostering deeper engagement and sustainable solutions.
Through his work, Middleton is particularly focused on engaging older community members, recognizing a lack of available programs for adults over 18 in the area. Whether through gardening, connecting individuals to STEM education opportunities, or linking them with VCU resources, he is committed to enhancing community access to knowledge and support networks.
Looking Ahead
Middleton’s vision is one of empowerment—giving community members the knowledge and tools to reshape their environments. By integrating urban agriculture, education, and design thinking principles, he is cultivating gardens and opportunities for growth, resilience, and self-sufficiency. He hopes that his work at the Health Hub exemplifies the power of entrepreneurship and innovation in addressing real-world challenges, making a lasting impact on Richmond’s East End.
Malique will be at the VCU Health Hub on the third Friday of each month, offering workshops focused on urban agriculture, food gardening, and science. Additionally, he will be available every third Monday and Wednesday for drop-in sessions, where you can ask questions about a range of topics, including biology, food access, and his personal experiences in undergrad, grad school, and running a farming business. Whether you’re interested in learning more about gardening, science, or even houseplants, Malique is excited to connect and share his knowledge with you.
For more information or to connect with Malique at the Health Hub, email vcuhealthhub@vcu.edu or Middletonme3@vcu.edu .
Visit the VCU Health Hub at 25th during regular business hours Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 4 PM. Address: 1330 N. 25th Street, Suite A Richmond, VA 23223. Phone: (804)628-6401
Malique’s next event is Gardening 101! Register here:
Comments
The power of Design Thinking is wonderful…Great job.