Galveston’s Own Farmers Market is proud to designate Cate Black as the 10th Annual OkraFest honoree.

As one of the founders of GOFM and the original Market Manager, Cate is forever rooted in the past, present and future of our organization. Upon moving to Galveston, she set her sights on building a marketplace that connected residents to fresh local food and one another—an inclusive place of gratitude, joy and good eating. Without Cate Black’s passion, sweat and grit, GOFM very likely might not exist today; she was committed to building something lasting and equitable that truly served farmers, makers and locals alike (and she didn’t do it for the money, we can tell you that much!) The very first OkraFest itself was planned and executed with Cate, and there’s no doubt that her wisdom and creativity will continue to influence GOFM’s operations for years to come.

Cate served on the GOFM Board of Directors from 2012-2016, and has remained a steadfast advisor and advocate for all of GOFM’s growth–all while remaining a regular shopper who can be found sipping iced coffee, hauling heavy bags laden with market goodies and chasing her two amazing children around with her husband, local realtor Brian Kuhn, on any given Sunday.

Apart from her indelible impact on GOFM and local food access, Cate is a vibrant member of the Galveston community in myriad other ways, both professionally and personally. Cate is the founder and principal architect of her own practice, Cate Black Architecture & Design (formerly RISE Architecture + Design), founded in 2018, after a decade of professional experience working for architects and builders. She has designed over 75 homes throughout Galveston; including new builds, beach house addition/renovation work, and historic renovations and additions. Her houses have been featured in a variety of publications and media. In addition to residential work, she has also assisted local small businesses with their build-outs and renovations.

Cate serves as the Vice President of the Board of Directors for BUILD Galveston; she served as a commissioner on the City of Galveston Planning Commission from 2016-2020 (vice chair in 2019, chair in 2020) and sat on the Texas Society of Architects Convention Futures Committee from 2016-2019.

It is a privilege and honor to call Cate Black the honoree for OkraFest 2024—we hope you’ll join us on August 10th to raise a glass to one of the best Good Eggs we’re lucky to call our own.