Editor's note: Ron Finley is an artist, designer and co-founder of lagreengrounds.org. He spoke at the TED2013 conference in February. TED is a nonprofit dedicated to "Ideas worth spreading," which it makes available through talks posted on its website.

As a lifelong resident of South Central Los Angeles, I refuse to be part of the social system that breeds problems rather than solutions. South Central is a "food desert" where the lack of healthy food alternatives leads to obesity and preventable disease.

I have raised my sons in South L.A., and it is heartbreaking to see so many young kids on a trajectory to nowhere, potential high school dropouts prey to gangs, drugs, violence and incarceration.

So where do we start to create positive change?

I believe that change starts from within, and unless you want to take the first step, change will never happen.

Read - Pick up your shovel; grow a better city

Previously:
Resettled refugees set down new roots
CSI: CSA – purslane, the ‘noxious weed’ that makes a tasty salad
Feeding a family of four for $100 a month
This is the year you garden