XRAY FM / PODCAST INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

Episode 1: Women in Food Gateway to Socioeconomic Empowerment or Entrenched Colonialist Suppression?

We discuss how launching a food or beverage-based business can be a low barrier opportunity to change the socio-economic position for historically under-served, under-represented and minoritized women in our regional food system. At the same time entrenched colonialist systemic harm stifles any significant scale or growth and often hazards these same businesses from reaching meaningful wealth or change statistically seen by white owned businesses. This show aims to bring the most impacted voices to the table to share their stories of hope and harm throughout the entire food and beverage chain while also bringing to the table those who are part of the system revealing more about their piece and part to reshape the landscape and intervene to mitigate the impacts of racism. This is about navigating barriers as a journey to resilience and empowerment in entrepreneurship.

Guests:

Andrea Wade, CEO & Flavor Innovationist of Honeybee Sparkling Lemonades and Syrups a black woman owned business in Portland, OR that has experienced many of the institutional structures and challenges in the food and beverage ecosystem. Andrea’s GoFundMe if you want to provide support.

Leslee Dixon, Consumer Packaged Goods Fractional Consultant who has worked 25 yeas in the PNW in many parts of the ecosystem from farmer, restauranteur, local maker, grocery, distribution, co-packing and holds a lens of economic and social justice in all of her work.