Who We Are
BCAGlobal has been a leader in the food systems space for over 35 years. Our programming integrates nutritional literacy, culinary skills and medicine, and, most recently, farm innovation to address food access and insecurity in marginalized communities. We transform the way communities think about food and health and help them create their own pathways to healthier lives and disease-free futures.
OUR HISTORY
The Black Culinarian Alliance was born in 1998 when co-founder Alex Askew and Jason Wallace met with fellow graduates of the Culinary Institute of America. It was there that they discussed the status of African Americans in the culinary and hospitality industries. A few years later, the First Black Culinarian Alumni Chapter at the Culinary Institute of America was formed. Since then, the organization has been tasked with analyzing and addressing the lack of education and exposure for African Americans in the industry. Focusing on education as a cornerstone of success, BCAGlobal (founded as the Black Culinarian Alliance) advocated for leadership in a demographic that has largely been sidelined from culinary, food service, and hospitality mid and upper management opportunities.
Letter from the President​
Fellow BCAGlobal members, supporters, and visitors:
Welcome to BCAGlobal’s website. With the help of your support, our organization has sustained its leading activist role at the intersection of food, race, and social justice for over 30 years. Advancing racial equity in the culinary, hospitality and foodservice industries wasn’t treated with the urgency it deserved at the time of our inception. The lack of attention for this important matter prompted us to invest in action-based advocacy that has helped raise the topic of racial equity to the forefront of national conversation where true systemic change can take place. However, in the tenuous aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and violence targeting BIPOC individuals, there is still plenty of work that needs to be done to bring sustainable career opportunities, food and social justice to marginalized BIPOC communities, that bore the brunt of the socioeconomic devastation triggered by the nationwide crisis.
Consistent with our original vision, one of our top priorities remains to provide aspiring BIPOC culinary/foodservice professionals with the tools (training, networking, mentorship, information) they need to secure opportunities and ultimately be fulfilled in their career ambitions. Alongside this dimension of our programming, we aim to address issues of health disparity and inequitable access to quality, nutritious food in marginalized communities, guided by the actionable insights and education of our Mindful Eating for the Beloved Community program. Through all of our programs, we convey a spirit of mindful consciousness that respects and upholds food culture, heritage, health, and racial equity in all aspects of the food space and its many industries. Society and the food service industry in particular stand to benefit from this novel approach for advancing racial equity. Now is the time to move beyond familiar conversations and lean into action. Your decision to support BCAGlobal will help deepen our understanding of mindfulness and racial equity and advance the food, race, and social justice movement.
Sincerely,
Alex Askew​
President
What We Focus On
We take a holistic approach to food and health advocacy. Rather than offering temporary food relief, we focus on long term, sustainable hunger solutions. We work directly with communities to co-create food systems that reflect their values, environmental realities, and lived experiences.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness reclaims cultural heritage, addresses systemic inequities, and promotes holistic wellness.
Sustainability
Promoting sustainability enhances environmental stewardship, economic equity, and cultural resilience.
Social Justice
Social Justice promotes equity, representation, and fair opportunities for marginalized groups.
Food Sovereignty
Food Sovereignty prioritizes self-determination, cultural autonomy, and community empowerment.
OUR IMPACT
Leadership & Governance
Accountability & Transparency
BCAGlobal is deeply committed to accountability in all aspects of our work. We prioritize transparency, responsible stewardship of resources, and clear measurement of outcomes to ensure our programs create meaningful and lasting impact. By continuously evaluating our strategies and listening to the communities we serve, we hold ourselves to the highest standards of integrity and effectiveness as we work toward equitable and sustainable food systems.
Partners, Sponsors & Allies
Sponsorship of BCAGlobal directly supports over 35 years of leadership in advancing equitable food systems. Our programming integrates nutritional and culinary literacy, and farm innovation to address food access and food insecurity in marginalized communities. Through this work, we transform the way communities understand food and health, empowering them to create their own pathways to healthier lives and disease-free futures.
Partnering with BCAGlobal offers sponsors a meaningful opportunity to engage with critical challenges within the global food sector. If our mission aligns with your organization’s values and priorities, we invite you to support BCAGlobal at a level that is meaningful to you.
Join us Now!
In transforming food systems and advancing health equity. For over 35 years, BCAGlobal has empowered communities through nutritional literacy, culinary medicine, and farm innovation, creating pathways to healthier and more resilient futures.
Whether you are an individual, corporation, or foundation, your support helps expand access to nutritious food, strengthen communities, and drive meaningful change. Partner with us, sponsor our programs, or get involved today and be part of building a more equitable food future for all.