Applications Open For James Beard Foundation Investment Fund

The James Beard Foundation is known for spotlighting the best and the brightest within the food industry. Previously, BLACK ENTERPRISE reported that the organization launched a new investment fund aimed at helping Black and Indigenous-owned businesses amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This week, the foundation officially open the fund for applicants.

The foundation announced it will be provide 18 grants valued at $15,000 for food and beverage businesses that are owned by Black and Indigenous entrepreneurs to be spread across six regions across the country. Applicants are able to submit their materials through the official website for consideration until January 22, 2021.

“The James Beard Foundation is committed to celebrating, nurturing, and honoring chefs and other leaders making America’s food culture more delicious, diverse, and sustainable for everyone. As part of this commitment, we feel a responsibility to recognize and uplift all members of our industry, especially those whose contributions have been historically minimized and/or erased,” the company wrote on its website.

“We recognize that we as a Foundation have contributed to upholding systems of oppression, especially in the food world, and know it is time for us to take intentional and aggressive action to help create a more equitable industry for communities that are disproportionately impacted by systemic racism.”

The leadership committee charged with overseeing the fund includes industry veterans including Sean Sherman, Cheryl Day and celebrity chef Carla Hall.

“We’re thrilled to announce that applications for the James Beard Foundation Food and Beverage Investment Fund for Black and Indigenous Americans are now open,” the foundation wrote on its Instagram page.

“As part of our commitment to making America’s food culture more delicious, diverse, and sustainable for everyone, we feel a responsibility to recognize and support all members of our industry, especially those whose contributions have been historically minimized or erased.”