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 https://ghettogastro.com/pages/black-power-kitchen (Black Power Kitchen - Ghetto Gastro) by Jon Gray, Pierre Serrano, Lester Walker (Drops 10.18.22)
https://bookshop.org/books/my-grandmother-s-hands-racialized-trauma-and-the-pathway-to-mending-our-hearts-and-bodies-9781942094470/9781942094470 (My Grandmother's Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies) by Resmaa Menakem 
https://bookshop.org/books/the-rise-black-cooks-and-the-soul-of-american-food-a-cookbook/9780316480680 (The Rise: Black Cooks and the Soul of American Food: A Cookbook) by Marcus Samuelsson,  Yewande Komolafe, Osayi Endolyn
People mentioned
https://studiomuseum.org/thelma-golden-director-and-chief-curator (Thelma Golden) - Director and Chief Curator of The Studio Museum in Harlem
Curator, critic & author https://cargocollective.com/museummammy (Kimberly Drew) 
Graphic Artist https://www.moma.org/artists/70943 (Emory Douglas) 
Artist https://www.jamelrobinson.com/ (Jamel Robinson) 
Co-Founder of ArtNoir & President of Saint Heron https://www.instagram.com/queencc/?hl=en (Carolyn Concepcion)
https://camh.org/event/in-conversation-amoako-boafo-and-larry-ossei-mensah/ (Larry Ossei-Mensah) Curator & Co-founder of https://www.instagram.com/artnoirco/?hl=en (@artnoirco)
Artist http://www.derrickadams.com/ (Derrick Adams) 
https://www.sheamoisture.com/ca/en/narratively-longroad.html (Richelieu Dennis) - Founder & CEO of Sundial Brands, maker of SheaMoisture
Learn more about Jon Gray
Check out Ghetto Gastro’s appliance collection https://cruxgg.com/ (CRUXGG) 
https://www.cooperhewitt.org/channel/jon-gray-of-ghetto-gastro-selects/ (Jon Gray's) of Ghetto Gastro, Cooper Hewitt Installation
Watch Jon Gray's https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cWkKwGUt3g ((Ghetto Gasto) TedTalk)
What to listen to
https://open.spotify.com/track/1sYRkVKdT2ize1HSDCwbEF (Say It Loud - I'm Black And I'm Proud) by James Brown
https://open.spotify.com/track/6HZILIRieu8S0iqY8kIKhj (DNA.) by Kendrick Lamar
https://open.spotify.com/track/48EjSdYh8wz2gBxxqzrsLe?autoplay=true&v=T (Cranes in the Sky) by Solange
Who to follow
Find him on https://www.instagram.com/ghettogray/ (IG)
To learn more about his work, visit GhettoGastro.com 


This conversation was recorded on July 30th, 2022. 


Host https://www.instagram.com/dario.studio/ (Dario Calmese) 
Producer: https://www.instagram.com/holly_woodco/ (Coniqua Johnson) 
Visual Art Direction and Designs: 
http://riverwildmen.com (River Wildmen), https://www.instagram.com/afrovisualism/ (Justin Smith), Adam Selah
Director of Digital Content: https://www.instagram.com/vickygcreative/ (Vicky Garcia)
Bookings: http://@itsms.kt (K.T. Thompson)
Audio Engineer + Composer: https://www.instagram.com/adamradice/ (Adam Radice)
Original music composed by https://www.instagram.com/adamradice/ (Adam Radice)