DeVonn Francis, Chef and Founder of Yardy | Eater

"Founded by first‑generation Jamaican American chef and artist DeVonn Francis, this New York–based culinary event project blends carefully crafted, party‑forward experiences with an explicit mission to advance food sovereignty and uplift Black and Brown communities. Events are highly designed — he spends nights mood‑boarding and “vibe zhuzh‑ing” — so guests might be dancing to SZA one moment and biting into a striking dish like a broiled squid tentacle the next, but everything is framed by bigger questions about returning control of Jamaican food systems to Jamaicans. Operationally, the venture prioritizes sourcing from marginalized farmers, hiring more women and trans people, and providing livable wages and benefits for staff; its long‑term ambition is to open a food and agricultural design school envisioned as the “Noma of the West Indies.” The work is informed by his parents’ immigrant story and his mother’s old photos, which feature prominently in the project’s storytelling and help shape its focus on visibility, education, and community empowerment." - Soleil Ho