A Chef, Organizer and Social Entrepreneur.
EMI DINNERS
2016 -PRESENT
Founder
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Founded in 2016 by Chef Kurt Evans, the EMI Dinner Series purpose is to foster dialogue among people impacted by mass incarceration, community members, policy makers, and non-profit organizations working at the various intersections of this critical phenomenon.​
Food has always been a connector of people and ideas. From the Civil Rights Movement to the fight for Women’s Equal Rights, citizens have come together to engage over a meal and share ideas to find solutions to the tough issues facing the community.​
The goal of the EMI dinner series is to utilize food and conversation to create deeper understanding and awareness of mass incarceration, and inspire the community to create and support policies and organizations to effectively drive change.
The Black Dragon offers a variety of Black American food options served through the aesthetics of classic Chinese American takeout. The idea of The Black Dragon originated after Chef Kurt Evans noticed a trend of local Chinese takeout stores closing largely in Black American communities. The second-generation Chinese Americans are no longer taking over these stores that their parents started, with the closure of these stores will create a huge void in food deserts who have relied on these stores for hot quick meals.
The Black Dragon will fill this void and capitalize on the opportunity to provide healthy culturally relevant ingredients without abandoning the Chinese takeout aesthetics while highlighting Black cuisine. While proudly prioritize hiring from within our community, providing meaningful employment opportunities and offering first chances to those who have overcome incarceration. Chef Kurt Evans also sees this as a way to reclaim our communities and build trust with our customers who would traditionally purchase food from behind a perforated wall of Plexiglas.
BLACK DRAGON
2023 - PRESENT
Founder / CEO
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EVERYBODY EATS
2020 - PRESENT
Founder / Board Member
A leader in the fight against hunger dedicated to increasing food security and building community, our mission is to nourish hungry people and lead the community in the fight against hunger.
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We value and embrace diversity, fairness and inclusion as fundamental to our vision of empowering communities where no one has to go hungry.
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We believe that access to healthy food is a basic human right and not a privilege. All people deserve regular, nutritious meals.
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We are committed to conducting honest dialogue with all community partners. Through this dialogue, we will strive to continuously improve.
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EVERYBODY EATS!!!!
Tashae and Ameer. With full time jobs and two kids, we find ourselves eating out often. However, there are limited healthy and wholesome food options in our neighborhood. Most of the fast and convenient choices are high in fat, sugar and processed foods.
Because of this and our love of food, culture and community, we created Spiced Black. A healthier, more convenient alternative serving fast casual foods that reflects the community.The vision of Spiced Black is to make Black foods more fresh, healthy foods with more flavor, and fresh and highly flavored foods more accessible to all. It is truly a Concept for the Culture!
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We partnered with friend, and renowned Philadelphia Chef, Kurt Evans to lead Spiced Black’s culinary vision. Chef Kurt has made a career of telling Black stories through food. He too has a passion for culture and community which is evident through his social justice work. Chef Kurt has brilliantly developed every Black Heritage dish on our menu with love and intention.
SPICED BLACK
2024 -PRESENT
Co-Founder/ Culinary Director
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DOWN NORTH PIZZA
2018 -2021
Co-Founder
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Down North Pizza is no ordinary neighborhood pizza joint founded by Kurt Evans, Muhammad Abdul Hadi, and Kareem Odrick. It’s one that marries serving top-quality delicious comfort food with the mission of reducing recidivism rates in Black communities. Their aim is to help erase employment barriers faced by formerly incarcerated men and women, by providing culinary career opportunities at a fair wage within an equitable workplace.
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Down North Pizza serves comfort classics such as ‘Detroit Style’ square pies, wings, salads, fries and shakes. The menu offerings give a nod to Chef Evans culinary influences.
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Down North Pizza is located in North Philadelphia, in the city’s Strawberry Mansion neighborhood at 2804 W. Lehigh Avenue.
VOICES OF
THE UNHEARD
The project called Voices of the Unheard aims to gather and disseminate stories that highlight the transformative journey of incarcerated individuals. It was initiated by Robert "Mjasiri" Dowell, who is currently serving a 25-50 year sentence and is based in Kensington. The Justice 4 All working group, which is a part of 215 People's Alliance, has collected stories from inmates at SCI Coal Township over the last six months. These stories will be presented an interactive listening session and art exhibit.
Co-Creator
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COMMUNITY
ORGANIZER
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Kurt has been a Mass Liberation Organizer with 215 Peoples Alliance since November 2020. He was a Field Organizer for the 2021 Philadelphia District Attorney's race helping elect Larry Krasner for a second term. He is a founding member of Justice 4 All working committee.
Currently, Kurt serves as the Executive Director of Free The Ballot, a multi-racial grassroots alliance of incarcerated people, their family members, friends, and supporters. Led by the Black and Brown communities most impacted by mass incarceration, Free The Ballot is dedicated to mutual support and advocacy for transformative justice.