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Ray Stubblefield-Tave

Pay it Forward to Food Workers! ✌🏼

Updated: Nov 23



Every year, Mandela Partners works with dozens of people in our Culinary Employment Pathways program – a paid culinary training program that connects residents facing barriers to employment with food jobs with a living wage, a supportive work environment, and personal growth opportunities.


We’re excited to share that we’ve just launched our Microgreens Fund, which puts even more money in the pockets of our participants. Through this fund, our participants can receive up to $600 that they can use towards key needs such as car repairs, medical or legal bills, and housing.


We know how hard it is to live and thrive in the Bay Area - working one job often isn't enough, even though it should be. This fund plays a huge role in helping our graduates stay on track in the face of unexpected costs, so that they can keep working, grow their careers, and provide for themselves and their families.


Our goal is to raise $20,000 to make sure everyone who comes through our program is supported in 2025. So far, we've raised $9,750 and are almost halfway to our goal!


Since starting up in 2020, our Culinary Employment Pathways program has helped people...


Get resource pathways

We are proud of having formed partnerships with four workforce organizations, nine social service providers, and 30 local food businesses that allow us to provide a dynamic and holistic alternative to standard employment services that has a proven track record of helping reentry individuals from neighborhoods around Alameda County secure good-paying jobs.



Get good work

In fewer than five years (most of which overlapped with the COVID-19 pandemic), we have enrolled a total of 79 participants, 52% of whom are formerly incarcerated and 34 of whom have secured employment.





Get paid

All CEP participants receive stipends for completing work experience and the program internship over 13 weeks at $21 in 2024 – well ahead of the City of Oakland minimum wage requirements.


Once participants are hired, they are guaranteed a starting salary of at least $20/hour, annual cost of living increases, preferential policies to promote from within the company, and development programs unique to each partnering company with the goal of strengthening individual professional development.



Get your back

Since 2022 we’ve provided $10,000 in emergency microgrants.


Thank you for supporting community members in building new careers in the food sector!





P.S. – Have questions about the program, or want to support the Microgreens Fund or our participants in another way? Comment below!

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