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We’re empowering People of Color to build successful companies and careers in the Consumer Packaged Goods Industry (CPG)

Are you a Person of Color?

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Why We Do What We Do: Because representation on the shelf matters

The products we eat, drink and use on our bodies should reflect the diversity of consumers. But CPG founders, leaders and professionals are overwhelmingly white.

We are here to change that.

How it all started, and where we’re headed

In 2020, our Board members came together to transform the industry. They hosted events, created a mentorship program and brought POC together to connect, share and support one another. 

The response was overwhelming. Since then, we’re proudly served:

Community Members (Growing Every Day)
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mentees in our mentorship program
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opportunities, jobs, and resources shared
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events for members to connect peer-to-peer
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industry veteran mentors and advisors
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And we are just 👏🏿 getting 👏🏾 started 👏🏽! We’ve got big plans to ensure the future of CPG is COLORFUL!

MEET THE TEAM MAKING IT HAPPEN

Click the image to learn more about our amazing team

KATHLEEN CASANOVA, 
FOUNDING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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IBRAHEEM BASIR, 
FOUNDER & BOARD MEMBER

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AYESHAH ABUELHIGA, 
FOUNDING BOARD MEMBER

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ARNULFO VENTURA, 
FOUNDING BOARD MEMBER

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Our Values

Building community with like-minded game-changers

Power

We believe People of Color are powerful AF — and even more so when we work together.  We commit to being in community with and empowering each other as a way of building our collective power and influence. 

Reciprocity

Traditional potluck dinners can feed a crowd because everybody brings something to share.  The same principle applies here!  Members give and receive generously.

Realness

We are keeping it real – there’s no pretense or formalities here. No need for code-switching. Please feel free to come as you are and say it like it is. Because if not here, then where else?

Respect

We listen, speak kindly and show respect to one another. We respect each other’s time, confidentiality and of course, their hustle and grind. 

Our Partners

Founding partners
Game Changers
leaders
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Scott donohue
tina adolfsson
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We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization

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Site Credit

Kathleen Cassanova

FOUNDING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Kathleen Casanova has spent more than a decade working in and with nonprofits and universities across the country as a fundraiser, talent consultant and DEI program manager. 

In 2018, Kathleen pursued her lifelong dream of working with food (she’s been throwing dinner parties since she was nine) and entered the CPG space as a recruiter for emerging brands. 

She soon fell in love with the industry but also saw the need for more support and resources for other professionals and entrepreneurs of color in the field.   Kathleen is still throwing dinner parties, but now the food is inspired by her travels, her time in culinary school and her Afro-Cuban, Lebanese and French-Cajun heritage.  

No matter what is served, the best part is always the sobremesa or meaningful conversation at the table after the meal.  She’s thrilled to join Project Potluck and looks forward to the sobremesa and magic that inevitably happens when this passionate community comes together.  

WHAT EXCITES YOU MOST ABOUT PROJECT POTLUCK? 

“The opportunity to honor and harness our community’s collective power and knowledge.”

Ibraheem Basir

FOUNDER & BOARD MEMBER

Ibraheem Basir is the Founder & CEO of A Dozen Cousins, a natural food brand that makes convenient products inspired by traditional Creole, Caribbean and Latin American dishes. 

The brand is inspired by his childhood growing up in the culinary melting pot of Brooklyn and is named after his daughter and her 11 cousins. 

Prior to launching A Dozen Cousins, Ibraheem obtained his MBA from the Wharton School of Business and served as a Brand Manager on a number of national CPG brands. 

WHAT EXCITES YOU MOST ABOUT PROJECT POTLUCK? 

“It’s really hard to bring a new idea into the world, and I am excited that Project Potuck is going to help more people make that happen.”

Ayeshah Abuelhiga

FOUNDING BOARD MEMBER

Ayeshah Abuelhiga is the Founder & CEO of Mason Dixie Foods. Growing up in the kitchen of her parents’ soul food carryout restaurant in Baltimore made Ayeshah passionate about Southern Cuisine. 

Years later, she opened a biscuit-centric restaurant in Washington D.C. and launched the only clean-label frozen bakery products in grocery retail. 

Mason Dixie Foods is the fastest growing frozen baked goods company in the U.S. and their biscuits, scones, and rolls can now be found in freezers at over 5,000 retail grocery stores across the country.

WHAT EXCITES YOU MOST ABOUT PROJECT POTLUCK? 

“Before Project Potluck, I felt like I only saw a handful of faces like me. Because of Project Potluck, I’m seeing hundreds. My goal here: Make it THOUSANDS!”

Arnulfo Ventura

FOUNDING BOARD MEMBER

Arnulfo Ventura is the CEO of Alter Eco Foods, whose vision is to be THE leading regenerative snack company for the future. From founding an aguas frescas start-up, to leading e-commerce for multinational companies, Arnulfo is one of the early Latino executives in CPG with experience spanning across eight brands. 

Growing up in San Diego, trips across the border to Tijuana for routine grocery hauls influenced his palette for rich, bold flavors and was further shaped by home-cooked dishes native to his family’s hometown of Guadalajara.

WHAT EXCITES YOU MOST ABOUT PROJECT POTLUCK? 

“That we get to laugh together, be vulnerable and share each other’s truths, and CELEBRATE each of our journeys along the way!”