Alexis Nicole Nelson Biography: TV Shows, Awards, Cookbooks, Height, Ethnicity, Age, Parents, Instagram

Alexis Nicole Nelson is an American forager, cook, and internet personality who rose to prominence through her educational and high-energy content focused on identifying wild edible plants.

She gained widespread public attention in 2020 on TikTok and Instagram, where she blended culinary skill, botanical knowledge, and historical context to teach audiences how to safely harvest and prepare common “weeds” and forest finds.

Known professionally as the Black Forager, she became a leading voice in accessible environmental education during a time when many people were seeking outdoor activities and sustainable food practices.

Quick Facts

• Full Name: Alexis Nikole Nelson
• Nickname: Black Forager
• Date of Birth: May 26, 1992
• Age: 33 years old
• Gender: Female
• Place of Birth: Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
• Nationality: American
• Profession: Forager, Cook, and Social Media Personality
• Eye Color: Brown
• Hair Color: Black
• Parents: N/A
• Siblings: N/A
• Spouse: N/A
• Children: N/A
• Relationship Status: In a relationship
• Religion: Christianity
• Ethnicity: Cape Verdean and African American
• Net Worth: $1.5 million

Early Life and Education

Alexis Nicole Nelson is now at the age of 33 and was born on May 26, 1992.

She was raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, in a household that nurtured her curiosity about the natural world.

Her mother, an avid gardener of Cape Verdean descent, introduced her to foraging at the age of five by teaching her how to identify onion grass in their yard.

Her father, who has Iroquois ancestry and is a cook, deepened her understanding of food traditions and outdoor knowledge.

Alexis attended the New School Montessori before graduating with honors from Walnut Hills High School in 2010.

She later enrolled at Ohio State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in theatre and environmental science in 2015.

Her interdisciplinary education laid the foundation for her ability to merge performance, storytelling, and ecological education in her digital content.

Personal Life

Alexis Nicole Nelson resides in Columbus, Ohio, where she continues to create educational content and pursue media projects.

She is in a long-term relationship with her partner, Geoff, who occasionally appears in her social media posts and home-life updates.

Alexis Nicole Nelson shares her home with several pets, including two cats and a dog named Colonel Mustard.

She follows a vegan lifestyle, while her partner does not, a dynamic she sometimes references humorously in her cooking demonstrations.

Career

Alexis Nicole Nelson made a decisive career shift in September 2021 when she left her position at the marketing firm Bark to pursue foraging and content creation full-time.

Her online presence as the Black Forager has attracted millions of followers across platforms, where she educates viewers on plant identification, harvesting ethics, and safe preparation techniques.

Alexis Nicole Nelson expanded into mainstream media with appearances on programs such as The Kelly Clarkson Show, The Drew Barrymore Show, and Jimmy Kimmel Live!.

In 2023, she hosted a 15-episode educational series on botany for the YouTube channel Crash Course, further solidifying her reputation as a science communicator.

Alexis Nicole Nelson frequently highlights the historical and cultural significance of foraging within African American and Indigenous communities, aiming to reclaim outdoor spaces and food knowledge for marginalized groups.

She delivered a TED Talk in 2022 centered on reconnecting with nature through food and has continued to participate in global environmental and culinary discussions.

Awards

• Year: 2022
• Award: James Beard Foundation Award
• Category: Best Social Media Account

• Year: 2022
• Award: Forbes 30 Under 30
• Category: Food & Drink

• Year: 2023
• Award: Daytime Emmy Award
• Category: Outstanding Lifestyle Program (Eat This with Yara)

• Year: 2025
• Award: TIME100 Creators List

• Year: 2025
• Award: National Geographic 33 Honoree

• Year: 2026
• Award: Nomination – British Shooting Show Media Contributor of the Year

Net Worth

Alexis Nicole Nelson has an estimated net worth of $1.5 million.

Her income is derived from digital advertising revenue, brand sponsorships with companies such as Ninja Kitchen and Martha Stewart, speaking engagements, and educational media projects.

Social Media

• Instagram: @blackforager
• X: @blackforager
• TikTok: @alexisnikole
• YouTube: @alexisnikole

Filmography

• Eat This with Yara (2023)
• Crash Course: Botany (2023)
• Smartypants (2024)
• Um, Actually (2024)

Books

• Foraging Cookbook (Expected 2026)