Eboni - Root Culinary and Program Assistant, 2021-2023

“Root has just made me feel so supported that I can do things on my own.”

In the spring of 2018, Eboni was finishing 10th grade and learned about Root through LEAP for Education.   “I really like cooking and was in the culinary program at Salem High and “Root felt like a really welcoming, safe place.”  As a trainee, she remembers liking to make Chef Sam happy with the perfect cut. ..”but what I really learned while I was here was… how to do things on my own, it was a chance to grow.”  

After completing Root’s Culinary Job Training Program, Eboni continued on to finish high school and graduated in June of 2020. Seeking help to find employment, like many other alumni that summer, she reached out to Root and heard there were openings on the kitchen team, so she applied and was hired in August.  After a few months, she was promoted Culinary and Program Assistant and held that role for two years before moving on to a position in retail.

“Since being at Root … I've had the courage to move out of my dad's house, I pay my own rent, I pay my own bills ……and Root has just made me feel so supported that I can do things on my own. Everyone here has taught me so much …and now I feel like college is the (next step) for me…. I want to go to culinary school, like Johnson and Wales, but I think I want to be a culinary instructor… and I want to study abroad!”

Eboni loves to cook, and her favorite thing to make and bring to family gatherings is a vegan carrot cake she learned how to make from Chef Keith. 

Above: Eboni and Leap 4 Ed Founder and CEO, (and Root Board member!) Linda Saris at Eboni’s Root graduation in 2018. Right: Eboni and trainees from Root’s 18th Cohort at the November 2022 Youth Led Dinner.