A local chef was recently featured in a national "Changemakers" video series highlighting Black LGBTQ-owned businesses.
Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE: ALLY) helped launch the four-part series through a partnership with Neon by GLAAD. It worked with GLAAD, an organization that promotes LGBTQ acceptance, to identify eligible small-business owners, focusing mainly on Detroit and Charlotte. Ally then awarded $10,000 to each of the four business owners selected.
"We're really trying to celebrate authentic stories," said Reggie Willis, chief diversity officer at Ally. "The Changemakers (series) really just shines a light on all of the great work that they've done, all of the things that they've been able to overcome, but also more importantly, the things that they've celebrated over the past couple of years."
Willis said Ally recognizes its platform — and obligation — to create spaces for diversity, equity and inclusion. It wants to raise awareness of those business owners who may not have had the opportunity to share their story.
The timing is also important, he said, as minority-owned businesses were disproportionately impacted by Covid-19.
One five-minute episode features Adjoa Courtney, known as Chef Joya, who specializes in vegan cuisine. Courtney is a Charlotte-based chef, cookbook author and proponent for social justice. She became a personal chef a few years ago, evolving the business based on what clients wanted. She also grew up on a vegan diet and learned much from her grandmother.
"(There's a) misperception that vegans eat grass or the food doesn't taste good, ... it doesn't have soul, it doesn't have flavor, so I'm like, 'No, it has all of these things,'" Courtney said.
Vegan cuisine became more popular during Covid, Courtney said. Her online how-to videos and classes also grew in popularity, giving her more visibility nationwide. She works with three weekly clients and cooks for five to 10 small parties per month. Courtney has released four cookbooks and is working on another one with kid-friendly recipes. She employs a sous chef and a couple of servers.
Courtney said Ally's $10,000 gift allowed her to start on the next cookbook sooner than expected. She is also working on another product, but declined to share anymore details.
Courtney wants to build on the educational aspect of her business and potentially hire more chefs in the future.
She hopes the "Changemakers" series will show others that they can be themselves and still be successful.
Willis said Ally has partnered with GLAAD before, and there could be opportunities for further collaboration. He continues to lead the bank's D&I efforts — a never-ending push to get more people involved. Ally has eight employee resource groups focusing on minorities in its workforce. He said about 43% of Ally's employee base participates in those.
He believes creating opportunities for businesses, including the underserved, will be a benefit to all.
