Title
Recognizing and honoring Kurt Evans for his impact in improving access to food, establishing workforce development opportunities for returning citizens, and contributing to a thriving Black food culture in Philadelphia.
Body
WHEREAS, Kurt Evans was born and raised in Southwest Philadelphia, near 46th and Woodland, and found a love of cooking through his family. He fondly remembers cooking southern style dishes alongside his grandmother Louise Evans; and
WHEREAS, Kurt honed his skills in some of Philadelphia's most esteemed kitchens, cooking professionally for over 14 years, and sparked his passion for social justice at his first venture in North Philadelphia called Route 23 Caf?, where his business partner Allen Young taught him the importance of hiring from the community and giving second chances to returning citizens; and
WHEREAS, Serving as culinary director at New York-based nonprofit Drive Change, Kurt managed a professional training fellowship program for formerly incarcerated youth; and
WHEREAS, Through his cooking, Kurt has drawn attention to social issues affecting Black Philadelphians. The End Mass Incarceration (EMI) Dinner series raises awareness and rallies the community around creating solutions to ending mass incarceration. A new initiative called Stories of Resilience is highlighting and fundraising for formerly incarcerated individuals are making a difference in the community; and
WHEREAS, In 2020, with Stephanie Nicole Willis, Malik Ali, Aziza Young and Gregory Headen, Kurt founded Everybody Eats Philly, an organization dedicated to fighting hunger, increasing food security and building community by distributing meals and fresh produce to communities in need; and
WHEREAS, With co-founder Lamar Covert, in 2022 Kurt created CYL Hospitality Group, a catering and event management business, and Black Dragon Takeout, a forthcoming venture that offers traditional Black American food through the aesthetics of classic Chinese American Takeou...
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