🍾 IT'S HERE: THE BLACK EXPERIENCE PAVILION
In case you missed it in our last dispatch, The Re-Seasoning Coalition has partnered with Foodpreneur Lab to develop the first-ever Black Experience Pavilion hosted at the Restaurants Canada Show from April 8th to 10th.
As two social impact non-profit organizations focused on creating better outcomes for Black and equity-deserving Canadians, the magnitude of what we've been able to create is hard to overstate. So to pack on the emphasis, here are two key quotes from our partnership press release:
“Though it seems like diversity, equity, and inclusion are no longer top of mind, the systemic issues that sparked the social justice protests of 2020 still exist,” notes Elle Asiedu, Co-founder and Executive Director of The Re-Seasoning Coalition. “With that in mind, we’ve specifically developed the Black Experience Pavilion to provide solutions to restaurant owners and corporate employees looking to level up and restructure the industry into one in which we can all reach our potential."
*audience cheers*
“Over the last five years, I’ve often been asked why Black product developers only know how to make hot sauces and marinades,” says Foodpreneur Lab founder Janice Bartley. “Innovation is at the heart of Black cultures worldwide, but grocery buyers and distributors seem to be content with having a limited understanding of what’s marketable or valuable from Black creators. This myopic view has got to stop if manufacturers want to reap the benefits of changing consumer tastes.”
*fans go wild*
Be sure to make your way to Booth #2547 to see us in action next month!
Need tickets? Get $$$ off a multi-day pass by using BEAGUEST24 at checkout on rcshow.com.
🤠 THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIPS
Although it’s hard to pinpoint the most impactful aspect of the Black Experience Pavilion, we love that it will provide a “show within the Show”, complete with:
- interactive food demos
- a product marketplace
- access to the supply chain for Black producers
- a networking session connecting Black talent to industry roles (sponsored by High Liner Foods!)
- workforce development solutions
While it’s true that we couldn’t have achieved these milestones alone, the bigger point is that we wouldn’t want to do this type of work alone.
Systems change requires connection, collaboration, and lots of discussion before a vision is executed, so don’t give up on your idea of a better industry if the first 14 conversations aren't productive, Reader, because it’s the dreamers like us who get shrimp done!
Our thanks and energetic high fives go to KraftHeinz, the City of Toronto, and High Liner Foods for helping to bring the Black Experience Pavilion to life. Join us in raising a virtual glass to Lucy, Kevin, Quayla, Yao, Michael, Susan, and Sarah, the point people who have created a ripple effect that we’ll be reporting on as the years and Shows continue. Cheers!
If you think it might be time to explore a partnership with us, click here to kickstart the process.
⭐️ MEET THE BOARD!
Speaking of dreams, we’re elated to announce the appointment of two superstars to serve on our Board of Directors alongside TRSC co-founder and Chair Philman George.
Roberto Sarjoo and Tianna Goguen, both formerly of Restaurants Canada, were instrumental in the development of TRSC, making this formative choice an easy one.
Here are a few fun facts about them:
Meet Roberto,
Sr. Director of Marketing at Smooth Commerce
- Nickname: Romeo
- Dish they can make with their eyes closed: "I make a mean nacho appetizer”
- The movie title they’d use to describe being on TRSC’s Board: Cool Runnings (because this is a unique journey that we’re on, and it’s an uphill climb we have to do together as a team).
Meet Tianna,
Sr. Manager of Corporate Communications at Bell Media
- Nickname: T
- A dish they can make with their eyes closed: “My spinach and feta quiche - it’s delicious if I do say so myself.”
- The movie title they’d use to describe being on TRSC’s Board: Do the Right Thing
Meet Philman,
Corporate Chef at KraftHeinz Canada
- Nickname: Phil
- A dish they can make with their eyes closed: "Scrambled eggs - the first dish I learned!"
- The movie title they’d use to describe being on TRSC’s Board: Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens
See you at #RCShow24!
