Ayesha Curry is one of the most sought-after experts in cuisine and lifestyle and shared that her love for food started at the age of 12. (Courtesy: Sweet July – People Magazine)
Toronto welcomed its very own Ayesha Curry at the fifth annual Elevate Festival where she shared all aspects of her journey thus far as a wife, mother, chef, author and entrepreneur.
The Marham native gracefully took the stage at Meridian Hall on Wednesday for her Tell Your Story: Uplifting Black Women Founders discussion led by Tiffany Callender, CEO and co-founder of the Federation of African Canadian Economics (FACE).
REPRESENTATION
The talk was geared towards Black women in business and what it takes to overcome obstacles and discrimination.
Curry spoke about her mission of levelling the playing field and increasing representation for everyone, in everything she does.
Today, she is one of the most sought-after experts in cuisine and lifestyle and shared that her love for food started at the age of 12, right here in the GTA.
“I fell in love with food and my parents fostered that love and allowed me to get in the kitchen and get my hands dirty,” Curry said on stage.
“But I didn’t know it was something that I could make a career out of because at the time there was no representation. I didn’t see anyone that looked like me whether it was through television, the book space or the restaurant space,” she continued.
MOTHERHOOD
Curry also touched on how she got into organic food and clean eating when she had her first child and daughter, Riley. Before that, she was a McDonald’s girl at heart and loved the delicious, greasy lifestyle.
If Curry could also share some words of wisdom to her kids it would be to start anywhere and just do it.
“Roll up your sleeves and have your boots on the ground with whatever it is you’re doing and know the no’s are gonna come but to press forward because the yes’ will be there,” she told Now Toronto in a sit-down interview on Wednesday.
Courtesy: Philadelphia Tribune
SWEET JULY
Curry also talked about her company Sweet July which is a health and wellness business geared towards living your best life. She even opened up a flagship store in Oakland, California in 2021.
“It’s a retail store but we like to see it as a community space where we have events and have people come and share their story,” she said.
The company first took off under a skin care brand by the same name where the ingredients were inspired by her Carribean roots and infused with ingredients like papaya, guava, lychee, aloe, turmeric and all sorts of beautiful ingredients she grew up with.
“Sweet July is a feeling of happiness for me, a time when all the things that are good in my life happened. My hope is to encourage everyone to find their own version of Sweet July. It’s a feeling, a thought, a phrase, and I hope it will become a movement,” her website also reads.
Courtesy: Architectural Digest
FOOD INSECURITY
In 2019, Curry and her husband, NBA player Stephen Curry, launched Eat. Learn. Play., an initiative that gives school children access to nutritious meals, quality reading resources and opportunities to play and be active.
Courtesy: Eat.Learn.Play.org
“It’s hard to want to do anything and or be capable of doing anything when you have to think about food. Who can start to approach their dreams when they are wondering where their next meal will come from?” Curry shared.
The couple saw a need that existed in their hometown of Oakland and quickly used their platform and resources to do something about it.
“This generation has the added pressures of having social media and seeing all of the wealth and success and it’s glaring you in your face. It starts to become more of a hindrance and it can become depressing. There’s a lot that needs to change and how we can help is tackling that food insecurity. It will be our lifelong mission.”
