Cameron Cephas serves as Food Sovereignty Coordinator and Group Supervisor at The Common Place (TCP), where he leads with vision, creativity, and a deep commitment to community transformation. A proud Philadelphia native, Cameron is driven by a clear belief: food is dignity, food is ownership, and in a thriving neighborhood, everybody eats.
Cameron has been engaged in Out-of-School Time (OST) programming since 2019, creating safe and enriching spaces where young people can grow beyond the classroom. Since joining TCP in 2021 as an Assistant Group Supervisor for SWAT programming, he has grown into a multifaceted leader whose work spans youth development, food justice, partnership cultivation, and grant strategy.
In 2023, Cameron stepped into the role of Garden Coordinator with excitement, viewing the opportunity as a chance to build something sustainable and generational. Under his leadership, TCP strengthened partnerships with John Heinz, Caring for Friends, Green Our Planet, and Trellis for Tomorrow. His dedication contributed to the organization earning Trellis for Tomorrow’s “Seedling Sprouter” Award in recognition of the garden’s impact on scholars.
In 2024, after securing his first garden-focused grant, Cameron expanded into grant writing and resource development. That same year, he earned a grant writing certificate from GrantsNewsWatch and has since helped secure more than $75,000 in funding to advance TCP’s food sovereignty and youth programming efforts. As Food Sovereignty Coordinator, he oversees garden operations, maintains strategic partnerships, secures food donations and funding, and ensures strong administrative systems for sustainability. In his dual role as Group Supervisor, he oversees daily program execution, ensuring that TCP’s vision translates into consistent, high-quality experiences for scholars and families.
Through food justice, OST leadership, and the arts, Cameron is cultivating the next generation of leaders equipped to feed, uplift, and transform their communities from within.