March 3, 2025
Tanikka Watford is an accomplished leader in affordable housing and community development, with a heart for fostering social change.
Watford is Executive Director of The Moore Wright Group, a nonprofit that operates in several states. The nonprofit uses its logistic expertise to help end the cycle of poverty, abuse and abandonment, and provides hope to those in need. Through her leadership at TMWG, Watford has impacted over 1.8 million families, distributing $27 million in goods annually, and created long-lasting community transformations.
Watford formed the first African American woman owned produce distribution company, as well as a small batch co-packing company. She has worked in wholesale and retail distribution for over 10 years. Her experience includes developing markets, perishable processing, HACCP and cooperative buying opportunities in urban and rural areas to increase access to healthy and affordable foods for all community members. Her innovative work has increased access to affordable, healthy foods in urban and rural communities, particularly for disenfranchised populations.
Watford is the creator of National Black Agriculture Awareness Week, which has been recognized since July 2011. She has been featured in an array of magazines such as Wall Street Journal, Afro Magazine, and Washington Express for her national and global work. She has had the honor of being recognized by the White House, United Nations, Let’s Move!, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Health and Human Services, DC Department of Health and the Metro Washington Public Health Association.
Watford served on various policy and community councils and has been very active in advocacy and policy work on both coasts. She served as commerce chairperson and co-chairperson of the Live Well DC Community Coalition, as well as the co-chairperson of the DC Cancer Policy Task Force Advisor, and the White House’s Let’s Move! Community Coalition. She was also appointed to the Washington State Governor’s Safe Supply Working Group.
In addition to her advancements and accomplishments in the global food realm, Watford is a shepherd for affordable housing development. She has been instrumental in creating over 120 units of affordable housing, aimed at supporting rural communities and ensuring everyone has a place to call home. In partnership with Lakewood and Pierce County non-profit organizations, such as Make a Difference Foundation and Believing in Myself Again (BIMA) Services, Watford’s work includes developing housing, construction projects, and building essential services that strengthen communities like the City of Lakewood and surrounding areas.