The Inside Scoop
Why are you interested in cooking and food education?
I firmly believe that learning how to cook and feed oneself and others is a strong predictor of one’s physical and mental health, wellness and happiness.
What is the most interesting thing you’ve learned from working with Sprouts?
Kids love to cook, and have a lot more fun doing so than most adults!
Why do you think the work that Sprouts is doing is important?
I can’t think of more important work than giving at-risk youth the skills, mentorship and job placement that will allow them to succeed in a society that is often stacked against them.
Why is it important for kids to learn how to cook?
Kids who learn how to cook for themselves will acquire the knowledge, confidence and independence to allow them to tackle other important life skills.
What is the connection between your work and the advising you do for Sprouts?
As an attorney with over fifteen years of experience in criminal court, my concerns about the high rate of incarceration, especially for young men of color growing up in urban areas, prompted my interest in juvenile reentry programs. The board’s goals for 2018 of training 28 underserved youth to become chefs through the Chef in Training (CIT) program and to achieve a 90% success rate of job acquisition within 3 months of graduation is an amazing undertaking, and one that will have far-reaching benefits.
Is there anything else that you would like us to know about you?
I have twin ten year olds. One of them is a gourmand and aspiring chef, the other would happily subsist on Cheerios, avocado sushi rolls and Tostitos (lime flavor).
