In May, Jessamyn was featured on Clean Plates in an article spotlighting women changing the way we eat.
Kids: A daughter and son
Bio: Founder of Hot Bread Kitchen
Why We Love Her: Given the name, you can guess what Hot Bread Kitchen makes. But founder Rodriguez takes it beyond baking up tasty loaves. Since 2007, the company’s Bakers in Training paid on-the-job program has helped low-income women learn not only baking skills but also everyday skills such as English, math, and science. The company helps place 100 percent of graduates seeking jobs in fair-wage positions that have opportunities for advancement.
In 2011, the company launched HBK Incubates, which has helped 169 food businesses grow by providing commercial kitchen space and business planning support. To date, they’ve trained 154 low-income women from 34 countries and created more than 70 permanent jobs in East Harlem, where 40 percent of residents live below the poverty line.
Work/Life Balance Tip: “Laugh as much as you can,” Rodriguez says.
