Episode Summary for Talking Hospitality Podcast:
Episode 3 - "Feeding Communities in Crisis with Kemi Akinola"
🎙 Hosts: Timothy R. Andrews and Sarah Kettel
🎙 Special Guest: Kemi Akinola, CEO of Be Enriched
🔥
Why Listen?During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the hospitality industry faced unparalleled challenges but also birthed incredible stories of resilience and community support. In this riveting episode, we welcome our first-ever guest, Kemi Akinola, the CEO of Be Enriched. Kemi opens up about her extraordinary efforts to address the food crisis aggravated by the pandemic.
🗝 Key Points
- Be Enriched's Evolution: Originally founded as a youth organization in 2013, Be Enriched adapted during the pandemic to become a lifeline for communities. The organization pivoted to focus on food distribution and served up to 5,000 emergency food parcels in just three months.
- Hospitality Volunteers: Kemi highlights the valuable contributions from hospitality professionals who volunteered their time and expertise. From chefs to front-of-house staff, these volunteers showcased extraordinary community spirit during a challenging period.
- Creative Deliveries: The episode includes a heartwarming story about food deliveries via horse and cart. This novel method not only lightened the mood during a grim period but also brought much-needed joy and surprise to families and especially children who were stuck at home.
- Innovative Solutions for the Future: Kemi introduces an upcoming project—a double-decker bus converted into a mobile greengrocer and café. This initiative aims to increase food access in underserved areas while also providing community resources like cooking demonstrations and internet access.
This episode provides much-needed inspiration and proves that even in times of crisis, community, collaboration, and innovation can shine through. Listen now to learn how Be Enriched and its community are making a significant impact during these challenging times.
