Urban Oak Initiative, Inc. (UOI) is a BIPOC-led, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization originally founded in 1997 as a rural community service agency focused on delivering basic human services. Today, UOI operates as a community-based, place-based organization committed to advancing health equity, economic opportunity, and food access through education and innovation. Our mission is to empower individuals and families—particularly in underserved areas like Atlanta’s Neighborhood Planning Unit V—with the knowledge and resources to adopt an active, healthy lifestyle supported by plant-based nutrition. UOI uses a community-driven, evidence-based approach, partnering with aligned organizations to implement programs that foster entrepreneurship, youth education, and long-term community development.

At the heart of our efforts is The Food Studio, a groundbreaking plant-based incubator and accelerator located in Pittsburgh a historically disinvested neighborhood in Atlanta. As the nation’s first 100% plant-based shared commercial kitchen in an underserved urban area, The Food Studio is more than a culinary space—it’s a catalyst for food system change. It supports small food entrepreneurs, combats food insecurity, and helps reimagine local food systems by providing access to infrastructure, mentorship, and market pathways. This innovative model promotes economic development while addressing systemic disparities in nutrition, food security, and business access in marginalized communities.