What they call their work
What they do
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Civil Rights Advocacy & Litigation 1 activity
- Advocacy for diversity and equity in the culinary industryLeads the Black Restaurant Coalition to advocate for greater diversity, equity, and professional opportunity within the culinary sector.
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Intergenerational Connection Programs 1 activity
- Community engagement and youth development initiativesConducts interactive community-based programs and educational initiatives to promote youth development, bridge generational gaps, and empower participants through connection and leadership.
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Culinary Workforce Training Programs 1 activity
- Operation of youth-focused businesses as program sitesOperates a 60-seat barbecue restaurant and NSL Childcare as platforms for youth workforce development and program delivery, integrating real-world business experience into programming.
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Youth Workforce Readiness Programs 1 activity
- Paid youth internship program combining business experience and mentorshipOffers paid internships to at-risk youth that integrate hands-on business experience with one-on-one mentorship and intervention counseling, supporting personal and professional development.
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Gun Violence Prevention & Intervention 1 activity
- Youth mentorship and intervention programmingProvides mentorship, intervention-based counseling, and community engagement initiatives for at-risk, street-involved, and justice-involved youth, with a focus on breaking negative cycles and fostering personal growth through structured support.
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Fashion and Creative Industries Education 1 activity
- Youth modeling and career development programProvides free professional modeling coaching, comp card design, and portfolio development for youth, culminating in a live fashion show with audience of over 200 to launch their modeling careers.
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Who runs it
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richard Paul | Executive director | 40 | $14K |
- Kenneth Ware — Treasurer
- Nina Lake — Secretary
- Rosanne Golding — President
Who they work with
- Black Restaurant Coalition Partner — Organization led by Kenneth Ware as President to advocate for diversity and equity in the culinary industry.
- Joy Fest Team Partner — Co-hosts the Joy Fest event with So Rich In Community.
- Nassau County’s Office of Youth Services HYPE Program Funder — Provides funding support for the So Rich in Opportunity youth internship initiative.
- New York City Department of Education Partner — Collaborated as a published curriculum writer.
- Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Network — Fraternity of which Kenneth Ware is a member, reflecting his commitment to brotherhood, service, and leadership.
- So Rich In Community Partner — Collaborates with So Rich In Community to create a supportive space for youth.
- Stanford University Network — Participated as a Hollyhock Fellow.
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Cultural Celebration as Community Activationmethodology: cultural celebration as community buildingBy hosting community-centered events rooted in cultural celebration, the organization strengthens unity and inspires collective action within the Black community, because shared cultural expression builds pride, trust, and participatory engagement.
- Culturally Relevant and Student-Centered Learningmethodology: culturally_relevant_pedagogyBy centering students' identities, lived experiences, and cultural histories in the curriculum, the organization creates equitable learning environments that improve engagement and outcomes, because education that validates identity fosters belonging and academic resilience.
- Intergenerational Engagement for Youth Development and Community Cohesionmethodology: intergenerational_engagementBy creating structured interactions between youth and elders, the organization supports positive youth development and strengthens community bonds, because bridging generational divides counters social fragmentation and provides youth with stabilizing role models and cultural continuity.
- Transformative Mentorship Through Lived Experiencemethodology: lived-experience_mentorshipBy pairing at-risk youth with mentors who share lived experience of street involvement or incarceration, the organization builds trust and credibility that fosters personal growth and disrupts cycles of disadvantage, because shared experience strengthens relational authenticity and engagement.
- Work-Based Learning with Integrated Support Systemsmethodology: work-based_learning_with_supportBy combining paid internships with mentorship and counseling, the organization enables skill development and personal growth among at-risk youth, because integrating employment with holistic support addresses both structural and emotional barriers to success.