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What started as a platform linking consumers to Black-owned restaurants has grown into something much larger for EatOkra. Founded by Anthony and Janique Edwards, EatOkra is now expanding its mission with the Culinary Creatives Conference (3C).
This inaugural food conference set to take place in New York City on Sunday, October 13 will unite Black food entrepreneurs and key stakeholders in the industry, pushing EatOkra’s journey forward from an app to a holistic support network.
“This conference has been a dream of ours since around 2018,” says Anthony. “After years of networking, we wanted to bring together food entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and key stakeholders to celebrate, collaborate and innovate.”
Addressing Representation in the Food Conference Space
After participating in many industry food conferences, Anthony noticed the troubling trend of Black businesses and consumer packaged goods (CPG) exhibitors often being absent from these events. To address this disparity, the husband-and-wife duo developed a food conference that would go beyond the traditional marketplace model.
With an agenda full of culinary demos, educational talks, libation tastings and a vendor showcase, 3C is designed to tackle the creative and business challenges of running a food enterprise.
Hosted by KJ Kearney, founder of Black Food Fridays, the event will showcase notable industry voices, including Jason Wallace, who will lead a session on expanding catering operations, Melba Wilson offering financial expertise, and Nialah Baker discussing food branding in the digital era.
Additionally, attendees can look forward to insights from Denise Woodard of Partake Foods, who will share her entrepreneurial journey during a fireside chat, among many other inspiring speakers.
Building a Network for Black Entrepreneurs
One key aspect of the food conference will be its focus on creating relationships between Black-owned businesses and the investors, suppliers and decision-makers who can help them grow. In doing so, EatOkra aims to build a supportive environment that addresses the hurdles Black entrepreneurs often face in scaling their operations.
“EatOkra has always been about building a healthy and wealthy Black-owned food and beverage community,” Anthony explains. “We’ve done that digitally for nearly eight years, and this food conference is the next step.”
With over 700 participants expected, accessibility has been a key consideration in planning 3C. Unlike many industry conferences with hefty price tags, this food conference was intentionally designed to be affordable for businesses at various stages of growth.
The organizers strived to create a welcoming atmosphere, recognizing their community can encounter different hurdles than those who can easily cover the costs of pricier events.
Another highlight of 3C will be the vendor showcase featuring Black-owned businesses from across the food and beverage industry. These businesses will have the opportunity to present their products and services to a broader audience, with the potential for new partnerships and collaborations.
Yesenia Ramdass, the founder of Healthy As A Motha, will participate as a vendor in the food conference. As a chef with Dominican and Trinidadian roots, she offers a distinct take on plant-based cuisine. Ramdass is enthusiastic about 3C’s commitment to showcasing representation from the African diaspora within the food industry.
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“As Black entrepreneurs, we often have to learn through trial and error,” says Ramdass. “This conference is a chance for us to learn from each other and push our collective creativity further.”
The careful curation of the conference sessions means attendees will receive insights that are far from standard business guidance. The sessions are specifically tailored to tackle the unique challenges Black food entrepreneurs face, whether they are involved in running restaurants, CPG brands or other food-related operations.
“What EatOkra is doing is bigger than just an event,” says Ramdass. “They’re creating a space for us to thrive, grow and support each other.”
With 3C launching in a matter of days, EatOkra is set to leave a lasting impression on the food and beverage industry. The team is focused on the future and aspires to make this year’s event a recurring annual gathering.
“This is just the beginning,” Anthony says. “We’re already planning for next year – adding more sessions, more vendors and even more opportunities for people to grow their businesses. We want to make this conference a must-attend for the Black food industry.”
To learn more about the event, including a complete schedule of activities and ticket purchasing options, visit the Culinary Creatives Conference website. Tickets will also be available for purchase at the venue on the day of the conference. For food conference teasers, follow along on Instagram.