Mavis-Jay Sanders is a chef who wakes up every morning and strives to leave the world a little better. She is a social and racial equity activist that has dedicated her career to fighting for food justice in Black and low-income communities. Sanders focuses on celebrating Black American heritage, joy, and a journey to reclaim Black food sovereignty.
In March of 2022, Sanders garnered not only a feature in a collaborative exhibit between The Museum of Food & Drink (MOFAD) and The Africa Center, but a Game Changer Award by Dine Diaspora as well. In June, she was awarded a James Beard Foundation Award for leadership.
Previously, Sanders was honored as one of Star Chefs’ New York Rising Stars. She is a James Beard Chef’s Boot Camp alum and a mentor to the James Beard Foundation’s Fellowship Program. She can also be found as a establishing board member of the Queer Food Foundation, on God’s Love We Deliver’s culinary counsel, and in the Black Farmer’s Fund pilot community. Since 2018, she has worked closely with numerous non-profit organizations to develop curriculum offering a free, paid, world class culinary and hospitality training to formerly incarcerated youth, culminating in career placement.
