A Good Day: Project Potluck
Project Potluck is working to uplift BIPOC founders within the consumer packaged goods industry by helping People of Color build successful companies and careers. We interviewed Executive Director, Kathleen Casanova on the impact that Project Potluck has made thusfar on the community.
Tell us about Project Potluck.
Project Potluck is a nonprofit committed to ensuring a colorful future for consumer packaged goods (CPG). We are really committed to making sure that people of color have successful careers in companies within the industry. We support that mission in a number of ways; we provide a community for people of color in CPG by connecting them with one another and people in the industry who are passionate about lifting them up and amplifying their voices.
How did you get involved with Project Potluck?
Project Potluck was founded by our three board members who are all people of color and leaders in CPG. They connected and bonded with one another over their shared passion for mentoring and paving the way for others. The three founders started Project Potluck in 2020 and brought me on board. Since then, we’ve grown to almost 700 people, all people of color, solely through word of mouth. I have a nonprofit background and I’ve always loved food because coming from an immigrant family, that’s what’s at the core of our family traditions. I made my way into food CPG as a recruiter, went to culinary school, and had a baby. Right as I was finishing my maternity leave, I got a message from our board chair, Ibrahim. We had connected at a trade expo prior and he had been looking through my LinkedIn because I have food, CPG, and nonprofit experience. He reached out and started the conversation and I started pretty soon thereafter! This is my dream job - right at the intersection of food and justice.
What drew you to this organization and why did you want to work for it?
Because Project Potluck is just for people of color, I’m doing more community work and team building rather than DEI which I had done in the past. I can help amplify our voices and help make sure that we have a seat at the table in our community. I’m so happy I was able to make the jump from DEI work to nonprofit, community-based work. It’s really really meaningful in a different way.
Executive Director - Kathleen Casanova
What impact do you feel has been made by the organization? What’s the biggest impact since your time there?
I’d say that the biggest impact we’ve made is within our mentorship program, which we’re about to enter into our third year of. We’ve put about 230 people into that program and we’re really proud of that. It’s something where people can get access, meet people, and expand their network which is really powerful. I think the less obvious answer is those day-to-day interactions. We have small virtual meet and greets once a month called “Potluck Parties.” It’s fun because you can pop into a virtual room with an “industry celebrity” and think “Oh is that so and so from so and so company.” It’s really great to see people connect with one another. We talk a lot about reciprocity - what can you offer the community and what do you need from the community? It’s great to see people offer help to one another, even if they’re competitors within the industry. They could be next to each other on the shelf and buy for the same consumer and still say “Oh, here’s a contact that I have” or “Here’s some advice that I have.” To me, that is so powerful. That’s the less “sexy” impact answer, but that’s the best part of what I do. Seeing others step up for one another and rise to the occasion. When one of us shines, all of us shine. That’s the beauty of Project Potluck and the magic that happens here.
How can others get involved?
If you’re a person of color, we’d love to have you join Project Potluck. It’s free! If you are in CPG or even just interested, you’re invited to be a part of what we do. You fill out a short application on our website and it will give you access to our portal. You’ll have the ability to view all of our resources and content. If you’re not a person of color but you’re an ally and really passionate about what we’re doing, you can follow us on LinkedIn, subscribe to our newsletter, donate, or become a mentor or advisor. We’re really trying to actively come up with more ways to involve people who are passionate about what we’re doing. The best way to stay up to date on that is through our newsletter!
What’s your favorite book or podcast right now?
I really like to listen to things that are long-form, so podcasts are tough for me. I need something that’s like five hours long and not 30 minutes long so I don’t have to figure out what to listen to next. Right now, I’ve been listening to the book “Of Women and Salt” by Gabriella Garcia. She’s from Mexican and Cuban immigrants and the book is about a Cuban woman coming to the United States. It was a recommendation from my brother!
What's your most recently played song on Spotify?
There’s an artist that’s new to me - her name is Yola. She has a song called “Highwomen” with The Highwomen, Brandi Charlile, Natalie Hemby, Maren Morris, and Amanda Shires. Great song!
Website: https://www.potluckcpg.org/
Follow Project Potluck on IG: https://www.instagram.com/projectpotluck/
