Abena Offeh-Gyimah (Bolgatanga, Ghana/Toronto, Canada) is an indigenous foodie, writer, and researcher dedicated to preserving Ghanaian and West African seeds, foods, and plants. She founded The Beela Project, hosts Taste of Bolga, and is a PhD candidate at the University of Guelph researching traditional knowledge and farmer seed systems.

Chef Amber Croom is an award-winning pastry chef and entrepreneur based in Baltimore, Maryland. As the creative force behind And 4 Dessert and co-founder of Beye Beignets, Amber blends Southern nostalgia with culinary artistry. A Food Network and FOX champion, she’s known for her inventive desserts, community engagement, and commitment to empowering the next generation of chefs through mentorship and education.

Amber Mayfield Hewett is founder of To Be Hosted, a supper club and event company she scaled from a 5-figure side hustle to a 7-figure business since 2017. She created While Entertaining on Substack and authored Your Turn to Host. Clients include Pinterest, Peloton, and Spotify.

Angela McCrae is a brand builder, storyteller, publisher, and filmmaker at the intersection of media and wine. She founded Uncorked & Cultured, guides the Association of African American Vintners, and serves as Estate Ambassador at OVID Napa Valley. Her short film #WhereIsBeauty starring Goapele anchors humanity and belonging.

Andra Johnson is a 24-year restaurant industry veteran whose cocktails tell stories that amplify underrepresented voices. She co-founded DMV Black Restaurant Week, launched Back to Black charity pop-ups, and founded White Plates Black Faces. A 2025 James Beard Semifinalist, she currently serves as Beverage and Cultural Director for CIVIC. on Eighth.

Angela Bankhead is Senior Director of Brands at Marcus Samuelsson Group, overseeing large-scale events like Harlem EatUp!'s dine-around series and the Emmy-nominated show EatUp! NYC. Known for inclusive leadership, she connects local chefs with celebrities and sponsors while championing diversity and authentic cultural representation across New York and beyond.

Cat Barnes is a Key Account Manager at Primo Brands with nearly 10 years of food and beverage experience. Specializing in marketing, branding, and sales, she previously led Soupergirl's first Fair Food certification launch. Cat is passionate about helping CPG brands scale and serves on the Black Women in Food committee.

Desire Vincent Levy is a communications strategist and impact producer specializing in advocacy campaigns. She executive produced the James Beard Award-winning documentary Coldwater Kitchen, examining the U.S. carceral system through culinary arts. She founded Detroit's Culinary Arts & Letters Literary Society and serves as board chair of the Detroit Food & Youth Entrepreneurship Academy.

Farrah Barrios is a Senior Advisor at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, matching good food ideas with the right financing. Previously, she served as the first-ever Director for Global Food Security at the White House National Security Council. She holds degrees from Wharton, Johns Hopkins, and SAIS, and speaks four languages.

Chef Huda Mu'min is a Telly Award-winning host, celebrity chef, and founder of The Just Savor Group, redefining healthy comfort food with cultural flair. She has cooked for President Obama and collaborated with Disney, Coca-Cola, and The GRAMMYs®. An American Heart Association ambassador, she's launching a cookbook and podcast.

Jamila Norman known as Farmer J, is an internationally recognized urban farmer, food activist, and TV host based in Atlanta. She founded Patchwork City Farms and the South West Atlanta Growers Cooperative, and hosts the Emmy-nominated "Homegrown" on Magnolia Network. A former environmental engineer, she's a mother of three.

Chef Kristi Brown is a Seattle culinary icon with over three decades of experience. She co-founded Communion R&B with her son, celebrated by Condé Nast Traveler and The New York Times for its "Seattle Soul" cuisine. A 2024 James Beard Northwest Best Chef nominee, she's renowned for community-building and innovative cooking.

Leslie Jones is an Inglewood, CA native and founder of Leslie Marie Events, having planned over 200 weddings. She co-owns 1010 Wine and Events, featuring California's largest selection of Black-owned wines. A Los Angeles County Small Business Commissioner and certified sommelier candidate, she's passionate about community and supporting small businesses.

Megan Braden-Perry is an award-winning journalist, author, and multigenerational Black Creole New Orleans native. Her byline has appeared in Bon Appétit, Epicurious, Oxford American, and Essence. Author of Crescent City Snow, she received a 2025 Black Women in Food Amplifier award and 2024 New Orleans Tourism Literary Arts award.

Meymuna Hussein-Cattan is founder of The Tiyya Foundation and Flavors From Afar, a Michelin Bib Gourmand–recognized social enterprise restaurant. An Ethiopian immigrant, CNN Hero, and L'Oréal Woman of Worth, she uplifts refugee and Indigenous chefs while blending hospitality with healing—creating spaces where migration is honored and everyone belongs.

Michelle Braxton (Atlanta, GA) is the author of Supper with Love and creator of Supper with Michelle, a blog reaching millions worldwide since 2014. Specializing in plant-forward and pescatarian recipes, she's been featured in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and The Kitchn, and contributed to Klancy Miller's For the Culture.

Mokgadi Itsweng is Creative Director and head chef of Lotsha Green Kitchen, focusing on African indigenous and sustainable recipes. Her cookbook Veggielicious won a 2023 Gourmand Award. A food activist with The Chef's Manifesto championing UN SDG2, she's a 2025 Black Women in Food Game Changer Honoree.

franky is a bartender, educator, and speaker with two Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Award nominations for American Bartender of the Year. She hosted the first two North America's 50 Best Bars ceremonies and holds multiple certifications including WSET II. A 2025 Black Women in Food Beverage Master honoree.

Nia Renée Hill is a content creator focused on food, wine, and hospitality, dedicated to amplifying Black excellence in the culinary industry. Through her series At The Table with Nia Renée Hill, she connects with accomplished creatives nationwide. Inspired by hosting Michelin ceremonies, she champions visibility, equity, and representation.

Nneka Nurse is one of the Caribbean's most influential voices in food and culture. As Founder of Best Dressed Plate, she shapes how the world experiences Caribbean cuisine through educational programming, immersive dining activations, and strategic partnerships with tourism boards and global institutions. A sought-after speaker, she lends her expertise to panels on Caribbean culinary heritage and cultural preservation. She also serves as Academy Chair for the Caribbean at World's 50 Best Restaurants North America.

Pauline Idogho is Founder/CEO of Mocktail Club, a premium non-alcoholic cocktail line. With 15 years in investment banking and international development, including at the World Bank's International Finance Corporation, she brings global inspiration to her beverages. Originally from Nigeria, she holds degrees from Howard University and Wharton.

Petrushka Bazin Larsen is co-founder of Sugar Hill Creamery, Harlem's first family-owned handmade ice cream shop. Since 2017, she's expanded to five locations and nationwide shipping. Featured in The New York Times and Vogue Italia, she received the 2025 Black Women in Food Award and fosters community through local programs.

Quayla Allen-Comella is a culinary tourism scholar and impact strategist advancing inclusion for underrepresented communities. As a 2022 LA Times DEIA Visionary and former James Beard Media judge,  Quayla is a proud amplifier of bold voices and a developer of new audiences across film and media, food, and tourism.

Rosecleer-Marie is a food stylist and culinary producer with 12 years of experience as a chef. Her work has appeared on Tastemade, Buzzfeed, and Hulu, and with brands including Starz, Spotify, and Pepsi. She founded The Modern Culinarian, a line of chef coats designed for women.

S. Lovey Parker is founder of the Black Hoteliers & Investors Association, reshaping hospitality by advocating for Black ownership in the boutique hotel sector. Under her leadership, BH&IA is building an $8 billion ecosystem of Black-owned hospitality assets by 2060. She holds a master's from Georgetown University.

Selena Cuffe is an award-winning executive and board director with 20 years of senior leadership experience in global go-to-market and revenue acceleration. She builds high-performing teams and grows businesses through innovation and acquisition. A Life Member of the Council on Foreign Relations, she's an alumna of Stanford and Harvard.

Tahaji Felder is a social entrepreneur and community leader. After 10 years in finance, she launched clothing brand Goose & Gander and began mentoring startups. Having mentored over 150 entrepreneurs, she was recognized as a 2025 Dine Diaspora Corporate Champion. Her TEDx talk, "What Fog Can Teach Us," inspires others.

Uche Jumbo is founder of CHOPUTA, the first fonio-based cereal brand in the U.S., reimagining breakfast through wellness, sustainability, and culture. A global food industry leader with expertise in quality and regulatory affairs across North America, Europe, and emerging markets, she champions climate-smart grains to build equitable food systems.