Nurhaliza Mohamath: Cultural Resilience, Food Justice, and Liberation Through Self Actualization

Nurhaliza Mohamath, or Liza, is a food justice advocate and the Food Justice Manager at Rainier Beach Action Coalition (RBAC). Born in Saigon and raised in South Seattle, she is deeply connected to her Cham heritage and works to reclaim and preserve her culture through food. With degrees in Sociology, Economics, and Business Administration from Mills College, she brings an intersectional approach to food sovereignty, working directly with BIPOC farmers to secure funding, policy support, and infrastructure for equitable food access.Liza also helped relaunch her family’s restaurant, Salima Specialties, the only Cham Halal women-owned restaurant in the Pacific Northwest, creating a space for cultural representation through food. Beyond advocacy, she mentors youth in Rainier Beach, guiding them through farm work, restorative justice circles, and leadership development. For Liza, food justice is about more than just feeding people—it’s about liberation, resilience, and reclaiming narratives.Follow Liza on Instagram: @nurhaliza.mohamath | @rainierbeach_foodhub Get full access to COLLECTIVE CREATIONS at collectivecreations.substack.com/subscribe