Today’s conversation is with food enthusiast, storyteller, and creative strategist Jon Gray. Jon is the co-founder and self-proclaimed dishwasher of Ghetto Gastro— a collective that uses food as a medium to ignite conversations about race, inequity, and inclusivity. Jon’s love affair with the Bronx, usage of mixed media, and desire to build new narratives that empower black and brown people, teaches us the importance of having pride in your roots and staying true to yourself. 

In today’s conversation, we’re reminded of the importance of staying true to ourselves. We explore themes such as the value of fostering deep connections, the importance of perseverance, and we journey into why trusting your instincts can be your greatest tool. 

What to read

Pre-order Black Power Kitchen - Ghetto Gastro by Jon Gray, Pierre Serrano, Lester Walker (Drops 10.18.22)

My Grandmother's Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies by Resmaa Menakem 

The Rise: Black Cooks and the Soul of American Food: A Cookbook by Marcus Samuelsson,  Yewande Komolafe, Osayi Endolyn

People mentioned

Thelma Golden - Director and Chief Curator of The Studio Museum in Harlem

Curator, critic & author Kimberly Drew 

Graphic Artist Emory Douglas 

Artist Jamel Robinson 

Co-Founder of ArtNoir & President of Saint Heron Carolyn Concepcion

Larry Ossei-Mensah Curator & Co-founder of @artnoirco

Artist Derrick Adams 

Richelieu Dennis - Founder & CEO of Sundial Brands, maker of SheaMoisture

Learn more about Jon Gray

Check out Ghetto Gastro’s appliance collection CRUXGG 

Jon Gray's of Ghetto Gastro, Cooper Hewitt Installation

Watch Jon Gray's (Ghetto Gasto) TedTalk

What to listen to

Say It Loud - I'm Black And I'm Proud by James Brown

DNA. by Kendrick Lamar

Cranes in the Sky by Solange

Who to follow

Find him on IG

To learn more about his work, visit GhettoGastro.com 

This conversation was recorded on July 30th, 2022. 

Host Dario Calmese 

Producer: Coniqua Johnson 

Visual Art Direction and Designs: 

River Wildmen, Justin Smith, Adam Selah

Director of Digital Content: Vicky Garcia

Bookings: K.T. Thompson

Audio Engineer + Composer: Adam Radice

Original music composed by Adam Radice