Thank you to our speakers and to videographer Daniel Meigs. Click on the images below to watch the discussions.
Les Dames d’Escoffier Nashville is proud to announce its first Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Symposium
Desegregating Nashville’s Food Scene: An Anti-Racism Brunch and Dialogue Series. This educational event, organized and facilitated by members, supports the Nashville chapter’s mission to provide an inclusive culture within the hospitality industry. DEI is an integral part of Les Dames Nashville, which supports women in the field of food, beverage, hospitality and farming through networking, mentoring and educational opportunities.
Despite the lunch counter sit-ins in the 1960s that made Nashville the first major city in the South to desegregate restaurants, Music City remains segregated in many ways. Studies conducted by Wall St 24/7 Media show the area encompassing Metro Nashville-Franklin-Murfreesboro to rank 6th in the US for segregation.
Les Dames Nashville believes keys to undoing segregation in the hospitality industry begin with openness around the table:
Illuminating truths in our history that have been pushed into the shadows
Sharing perspectives and experiences
Acknowledging our common humanity
Committing to change
WHAT
Three in-person symposiums over brunch, followed by small circle dialogues (55 attendees each)
MARCH 26: Nashville’s Food History: How Race Played and Continues to Play a Role
APRIL 23: Integrating Your Business: Bringing Inclusion to the Front and the Back of the House
MAY 21: Practice Radical Hospitality: How To Truly Welcome All
WHERE
Yay-Yay's at 1821 Jefferson Street Nashville TN 37208
WHEN
Noon-2pm on March 26th, April 23rd, and May 21
Funded in part by a grant from The Women’s Fund of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.
