Radio Cherry Bombe

This week’s guests: Jessamyn Rodriguez & Gail Simmons. After devoting herself to a career promoting Human Rights, Jessamyn Rodriguez landed in New York in 2002, earning a master’s degree in public administration from Columbia University, and then had an idea. She would start a baking coalition that would empower immigrant, low-income women by teaching English and business management classes alongside technical baking skills. The now thriving Hot Bread Kitchen makes over $2 million a year in just bread revenue, proving that a social mission with a good product can succeed in today’s market. Heritage Radio Network recently chose Jessamyn as one of our 100 Future Food Leaders for her innovative and inspiring work on the advancement of Human Rights. “New Yorkers are craving authentic stories and foods across cultures.” [10:07] “I was the first woman that had ever been hired in the bakery at Daniel and that was a huge feather in my cap to go out and talk about Hot Bread Kitchen.” [26:45] —Jessamyn Rodriguez