The pandemic devastated the restaurant industry, and Black-owned establishments were disproportionately affected—by the end of 2020, 41% of Black-owned restaurants had to close their doors.

We encouraged people to #EatItForward with a $5 million community grant program, all based on social media nominations. We enlisted Chef’s Table cinematographer Adam Bricker to showcase world-renowned chefs from around the country, and by the end of the year, 200 Black-owned restaurants were awarded grants of $25,000.

It was the brand’s most successful digital campaign to date (it was also the most delicious).

Press: CNN, Forbes, The Grio, Black Enterprise