Feed the Soul Foundation Awards $850,000 to Marginalized Culinary Businesses through Restaurant Business Development Grant Program

According to the National Restaurant Association's 2024 State of the Industry report, 98 percent of culinary business owners say higher labor and operations costs are an issue for their restaurant, 97 percent cite food inflation as a challenge, and 38 percent expressed their restaurants were not profitable in 2023. 

Additionally, the report states competition is strong with 45 percent of operators expecting competition to be more intense than last year.

Nearly half of consumers are increasingly cautious with their spending habits. This trend is particularly evident in the restaurant industry, where patrons are less likely to spend money unless they are enticed by compelling promotions or valuable dining experiences. 

In its fourth year of service, Feed the Soul Foundation, the nonprofit arm of Black Restaurant Week and Latin Restaurant Weeks, continues to address these challenges and reintroduces their cohort program to support marginalized restaurant entrepreneurs financially and professionally through the Restaurant Business Development Grant Program – awarding more than $850,000 in 2024 with additional contributions from Stella Artois. 

Founded by entrepreneurs Falayn Ferrell, Warren Luckett, Derek Robinson, and Karinn Chavarria, Feed the Soul Foundation has increased its funding and expanded its reach to support marginalized culinary businesses across the nation. By securing additional resources, the organization has been able to offer more substantial grants, provide educational workshops, and create networking opportunities. These efforts help to level the playing field and promote diversity within the culinary business sector.

Through the support of presenting program partner, the Grubhub Community Fund and partner Stella Artois, Feed the Soul Foundation's grant program will award 30 small businesses with $10,000.00 financial stipends and six months of business development services,  totaling a $25,000 investment per business. This initiative aims to progressively impact a broader range of communities, fostering growth and sustainability within the culinary industry.

"I am proud to announce that this year's Restaurant Business Development Program cohort marks a significant milestone, having supported over 100 marginalized culinary businesses nationwide since 2021. As small culinary businesses confront shrinking profits and labor shortages, we must continue to provide a robust support system to ensure their sustainability." stated Juana Collins, Executive Director of Feed the Soul Foundation. 

We are excited to continue this work with Feed the Soul Foundation," said Brianna Morris Grubhub's senior manager of community impact. "Since 2021, Grubhub has partnered with Feed the Foundation to increase access to financial resources and business development opportunities, work made possible by the Grubhub Community Fund. We are committed to being a community partner to the diverse group of restaurants and business owners that makeup the industry and organizations like Feed The Soul that support their ability to sustain and scale their knowledge and operations."

Cohorts will work alongside subject matter experts and consultants during the six-month program that will further their growth and knowledge of the restaurant industry:

Financial literacy training and financial coaching

Business operations

Human resources 

Advertising and marketing 

Group consultation from industry experts

The awarded cohort includes the following businesses:   

Autentica Taqueria (Miami, FL) 

Black Coffee Lounge (Cincinnati,OH)

Cocina Consuelo (New York, NY)

Comfort Foodies (Houston, TX)

conVIDA Cocktail Lounge (Caguas, PR)

Cranky Granny's Sweet Rolls (Pflugerville, TX)

Darrow's New Orleans Grill (Carson, CA)

Farina Pasta and Noodle (Philadelphia, PA)

Fluffy's Sno-Balls (Long Beach, CA)

Fonda Santa Rosa (Houston, TX)

Foode (Fredericksburg, VA)

FruiTea Bubbles Cafe (Smyrna, GA)

Gold Coast Ghal Kitchen (Seattle, WA)

Kwench Juice Cafe (Apex, NC)

Luliet Creamery and Bake Shop (Spring, TX)

Lulu's Sweets Boutique (West Chester, OH)

Mamajuana (Houston, TX)

Meek's Vegan Pizza (Houston, TX)

R & R Breakfast Spot (Chino, CA)

Slutty Salsa (Memphis, TN)

Sugar Euphoria (Raleigh, NC)

Tea's Me Cafe (Indianapolis, IN)

The Jibarito Stop (Chicago, IL)

The Oven Pizzeria (Seaside, CA)

The Palm Coffee Bar (Burbank, CA)

Townie Bagels (Palm Springs, CA)

Tre's Street Kitchen (Baton Rouge, LA)

Twisted Plants (Milwaukee, WI)

Win Win Coffee (Philadelphia, PA)

Yaya Empanadas, (Austin, TX)

Since its inception in 2020, Feed The Soul Foundation has strived to create programs that provide sustainability and growth to small culinary businesses. By the end of 2023, the foundation celebrated the following milestones:

Invested $1,985,000 in financial and business development support to 84 marginalized culinary business across the nation

Aided culinary businesses across the nation with $46,000 in emergency funds to assist with unforeseen damages and natural disasters through its Emergency Relief Fund

Awarded $76,000 in scholarships to high school culinary programs, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and Hispanic Serving Institutions to support culinary, hospitality, and business students

Developed an internship program and distributed $59,000 in student stipends, in addition to providing workforce training to 15 minority college students studying small business marketing, marketing research, and public relations

Feed the Soul Foundation will begin taking applications for the 2025 program in November 2024. Extending its efforts in fostering growth within the culinary community, Feed the Soul Foundation will be hosting its second annual Global Culinary Conference from January 26-29, 2025 in Houston, TX.  Registration will commence in August 2024. For more information about Feed the Soul Foundation, please visit feedthesoulfou.org.

About Feed the Soul Foundation

Feed the Soul Foundation was established in 2020 to aid marginalized entrepreneurs in the culinary industry with business development resources and support to foster sustainable business growth. The Restaurant Business Development Fund supports marginalized business owners with business development scholarships and emergency funding. 

U.S. Department of State Honors 19 Colleges and Universities as Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leaders

The U.S. Department of State recognizes 19 Historically Blacks Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) as Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leaders for their notable engagement with the Fulbright Program during the 2023-2024 academic year. The Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leaders initiative celebrates Fulbright's partnership with HBCUs and encourages administrators, faculty and students to participate in the Fulbright Program. It also highlights HBCUs as a destination for international students and scholars.

The 19 HBCU Institutional Leaders are:

• Alcorn State University (Mississippi)
• Bennett College (North Carolina)
• Fayetteville State University (North Carolina)
• Florida A&M University (Florida)
• Howard University (District of Columbia)
• Huston-Tillotson University (Texas)
• Jackson State University (Mississippi)
• Jarvis Christian University (Texas)
• LeMoyne-Owen College (Tennessee)
• Lincoln University (Pennsylvania)
• Mississippi Valley State University (Mississippi)
• Morgan State University (Maryland)
• North Carolina A&T State University (North Carolina)
• North Carolina Central University (North Carolina)
• Prairie View A&M University (Texas)
• Spelman College (Georgia)
• Tennessee State University (Tennessee)
• Virginia State University (Virginia)
• Xavier University of Louisiana (Louisiana)

The announcement of the 2024 Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leaders was made on September 10, 2024 in advance of the 2024 Annual National HBCU Week Conference hosted by the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity through Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken congratulated each Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leader, saying this designation "is a testament to your institution's dedication to promoting global engagement and international understanding."

"The U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Program are committed to reflecting the full diversity of the United States," said Scott Weinhold, Senior Bureau Official for the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State. He emphasized that HBCU engagement with the Fulbright Program "builds meaningful relationships between communities and people around the world." 

Howard University president Dr. Ben Vinson III shared, "Our Fulbrighters return to the Howard community with fresh insights, a deepened cultural understanding, and a broadened worldview, laying the foundation for their personal and professional growth. Their work has an enduring and positive impact on communities and institutions, at home and abroad."

As the U.S. government's flagship international academic exchange program, the Fulbright Program implements a wide range of initiatives to ensure that its participants reflect the diversity of U.S. society and societies abroad. In addition to its partnerships with HBCUs, the Fulbright Program works with Diversity Abroad, the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), the National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange, UNCF, and the White House Initiative on HBCUs, among others.

Learn more about the Fulbright Program at https://fulbrightprogram.org. 

Professor at the University of Arizona Global Campus receives Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award

Karen Ivy, assistant dean and professor of Technology Studies in the Forbes School of Business and Technology® at the University of Arizona Global Campus (UAGC), was honored with the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award. The award ceremony took place on July 27, 2024, at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA, in conjunction with the Astronaut Reunion ceremony hosted by SHADES OF BLUE. Chief Apostle Kenneth Curry, President Biden's certifying agent for the Presidential Volunteer Service Award made the award presentations.

The Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest level of the President’s Volunteer Service Award, bestowed by the President of the United States, recognizing individuals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to community service and made significant contributions to society. Dr. Ivy’s recognition highlights her commitment to educating and inspiring youth in technology and leadership, both in the United States and globally.

“I feel honored to receive this prestigious award and very proud to be recognized with outstanding U.S. astronauts and aviators,” said Ivy. “My goal is to inspire others to achieve their educational and career goals, and to explore their passion to the fullest!”

The event, presented by SHADES OF BLUE, also honored former and current astronauts and space aviators. Invited guests include notable astronauts such as Ed Dwight Jr., Charles F. Bolden, Guy Bluford, and Victor Glover, among others. The evening celebrated the remarkable achievements of these space pioneers and their contributions to aviation and aerospace.

SHADES OF BLUE is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing young people with the educational opportunities, training and employment assistance needed to pursue careers in the aviation and aerospace industries, and to assist educators with the development of curricula that will prepare students for careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics, and Design (STEAMD++) industries.

“Dr. Ivy's dedication to advancing technology education and her impact on students' lives is truly inspiring,” said Maja Zelihic, dean of the Forbes School of Business and Technology® at UAGC. “Her work embodies the spirit of service and excellence that this award represents.”

Ivy is the founder of the global youth leadership program, “U.S. to Uganda,” supports the SHADES OF BLUE organization, and hosts community learning workshops and seminars to promote the development of business and technology skills and to encourage youth and adults to pursue career directions in the STEM fields. This focus underscores her influential role in promoting STEM education and her passion for empowering the next generation of leaders.

ALLEN MEDIA GROUP’S ‘HBCU GO’ PARTNERS WITH PROCTER & GAMBLE FOR THE 2024 FOOTBALL SEASON

Allen Media Group’s (AMG) HBCU GO – AMG’s free-streaming digital platform and the leading media provider for the nation’s 107 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) – proudly announces an exciting new partnership with Procter & Gamble (P&G) for the 2024 football season. P&G is the presenting sponsor of exciting new programming and activations airing this season including:

• 2024 HBCU GO SPORTS KICK OFF SHOW (aired Saturday, August 24)

• HBCU GO’s first-ever live, on campus “2024 HBCU GO SPORTS PRE-GAME LIVE KICK-OFF SHOW” leading into the biggest games of the season including the Southern Heritage Classic, three Homecoming games, plus the rival match-up between Mississippi Valley vs. Jackson State.

• Brand-led commercial campaign entitled “THIS IS HOW WE HBCYOU” will run during the football season.

The P&G #HowWeHBCYOU brand commercial campaign, which AMG produced, recognizes the importance of supporting HBCU schools and students to foster their success and continued growth. 

“P&G truly understands the valuable, untapped audience that HBCU GO can deliver,” said Byron Allen, Founder/Chairman/CEO of Allen Media Group. “This new super-charged partnership with HBCU GO highlights P&G’s continued efforts to reach audiences through Black-owned media partners in authentic ways, such as HBCU Education and Culture.”

Eric Austin, Vice President, Global Marketing & Media Innovation at Procter & Gamble said “we strive to meet the unique needs of all consumers. Together with Allen Media Group’s HBCU GO we are able to authentically connect and support Black consumers —in everyday life, with superior brand innovation at relevant cultural moments.”

Hosted by Jasmine McKoy, former Carolina Panthers Safety Tre Boston and HBCU Gameday’s Tolly Carr, the “2024 HBCU GO SPORTS PRE-GAME LIVE KICK-OFF SHOW” will give fans of the four major HBCU Football conferences LIVE access to all the interviews, predictions, and game strategy as well as a taste of HBCU culture. Presented across five episodes that kicked off August 24, the live show will visit classics and homecomings throughout the season, bringing in great crowds and fanbases of these exciting matchups. The schedule includes September 14 - Southern Heritage Classic: Tennessee State vs Arkansas Pine Bluff; October 12 - Bethune Cookman vs Alabama A&M - Homecoming; October 19 - Arkansas Pine Bluff vs Grambling State - Homecoming; October 26 - Jackson State vs Bethune Cookman - Homecoming; November 9 - Mississippi Valley vs. Jackson State.

The “HBCUYOU” campaign will run on HBCU GO throughout the season and consist of one “hero” commercial spot and 14 individual brand spots. The campaign focuses on supporting students through their everyday needs and personal care, following the major life moments of an HBCU student. Allen Media Group tapped theGrio Executive Producers to lead the production, leaning on a deep understanding of the Black audience and HBCU culture to drive relevancy throughout the creative storylines.

AMG’s FREE-streaming digital platform HBCU GO brings together major HBCU NCAA conferences, with major market carriage across broadcast television, cable, satellite, and digital platforms. HBCU GO recently announced 95% nationwide clearance for their 2024 football season. In addition to the previously announced carriage deal with CBS owned-and-operated (O&O) duopoly stations, HBCU GO has secured new distribution with FOX O&O stations including Los Angeles (KCOP-TV) and Chicago (WPWR-TV), as well as distribution on the Armed Forces Network; plus 15 new local markets.

HBCU GO kicked off its 2024 football season schedule on Saturday, August 31. This HBCU GO third season kickoff features a total of 26 football matchups featuring teams representing the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC), and the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) -- including the Southern Heritage Classic, homecoming games, and the CIAA Football Championship.

For more information about HBCU GO, visit HBCUGO.tv or follow the streaming network on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram. Find out where to watch and download the FREE app at HBCUGO.tv/how to watch.

WATCH LIVE STREAM: Harris and Trump presidential debate

Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump face off Tuesday night for their first and possibly only debate before Election Day. Watch a live stream of the debate below: