Women and BIPOC Women in Food Mentorship Program

County of Los Angeles

Businesses owned by women, BIPOC and immigrants are being disproportionately impacted by the economic realities of the pandemic, according to a National Bureau of Economic Research report. An “unprecedented” 25 percent drop in the number of women business owners could hurt gender equality in the restaurant industry and beyond, the report notes. Independent restaurants are the ones that truly add diversity to LA's food scene. Over the last 9 months, we’ve witnessed the total inaction on the part of national leadership to provide meaningful support for independent restaurants, coupled with the outsized negative impact that COVID-19 has had on women and BIPOC women in the workforce. Regarding Her was created to not only drive business for participating restaurants during a historically slow period, but also provide a grants and mentorship programming, directly to women and BIPOC women operators who are struggling to keep their businesses afloat.

By combining mentorship and leadership skills development, Regarding Her's mentoring program connects women and BIPOC women in the food industry and helps them to develop their leadership potential and build specific skills to be successful leaders and restaurant owners. Mentees will participate in a 6-month mentorship program that will address the following areas: (1) Gender income inequality. (Females make about 20 percent less than their male counterparts); (2) Work-family life balance; (3) Gender bias and stereotypes; (4) Career advancement barriers; (5) Harassment; and (6) Workforce Development. There is an opportunity for program mentees to receive a designated grant to help future their success. Once mentees complete the program, they will have access to industry-focused resources, virtual events that celebrate, connect and promote women in food and beverage, including being a part of an annual restaurant festival, 10 Days Re:Her.

Pilot or new project, program, or initiative

Our vision is fueled by the responsibility we feel to recognize and uplift all members of our industry, especially those whose contributions have been historically minimized and/or erased. Historically, individuals from these marginalized communities typically have a harder time accessing capital, often resulting in having to “boot strap” a business with personal debt or loans from friends and family. The success of Regarding Her's Women and BIPOC Women in Food Mentorship Program will help dismantle systemic barriers and racial inequities that prevent many women from moving into positions of leadership and/or ownership in the food and beverage industry and throughout Los Angeles County.

Mentorship not only opens the door to opportunities that would have never before been accessible, it can also propagate change on a broader scale at the industry level for women and BIPOC women. The only way you can get that skill set in a kitchen or as a business owner is by having a mentor, a chef, or a teacher teach you how to do it. The evaluation process for the Women and BIPOC Women in Food Mentorship Program will entail goal tracking intended outcomes, conducting participant surveys and measuring the impact on retention with women owned business by conducting quarterly interviews.

Regarding Her is thrilled to collaborate with some of the top women and BIPOC women owned restaurants in Los Angeles County. This collaboration and specific role of each strategic partner (All Day Baby, Hotville Chicken, Guelaguetza, Botanica Restaurant & Market, Gasolina Cafe, Socalo/Border Grill, Guerrilla Tacos, Love & Salt and Rossoblu) will bring the breadth of knowledge, advocacy and guidance that will spearhead the success of the Women and BIPOC Women in Food Mentorship Program. Each partner brings business acumen, front of the house and back of the house experience and leadership training.