Emma's Torch’s Kerry Brodie: Cooking Up a New Life for Refugees
On All About Change, Kerry Brodie discusses her nonprofit social enterprise Emma's Torch, which empowers refugees and survivors through culinary training and job placement. After recognizing the need for job opportunities while volunteering at a DC homeless shelter, Brodie established an organization that provides comprehensive training programs, including culinary education, English classes, and employability skills, all while paying participants wages during their learning process.
The episode explores how Emma's Torch addresses employment barriers faced by refugees, including workplace prejudice and stereotypes. Through its programs and catering services, the organization has helped over 600 graduates secure positions in the food service industry or start their own restaurants. Brodie shares stories of program participants and explains how employers have come to actively seek out Emma's Torch graduates for their workforce.
This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Sep 29, 2025 episode of the All About Change
Sign up for Shortform to access the whole episode summary along with additional materials like counterarguments and context.
1-Page Summary
Motivation and Background For Starting Emma's Torch
Carrie Brodie's path to founding Emma's Torch began during her time volunteering at a DC homeless shelter. While distributing muffins and talking with refugees, she recognized the pressing need for job opportunities in the refugee community. Inspired by Emma Lazarus's poem on the Statue of Liberty and driven by her Jewish values of welcoming strangers, Brodie transitioned from policy work to establish Emma's Torch, focusing on immediate, grassroots action to help refugees.
Programs, Services, and Operations of Emma's Torch
Emma's Torch operates as a nonprofit social enterprise with three locations in New York and plans for expansion to D.C. in 2026. The organization provides comprehensive culinary training to refugees and survivors, who earn wages while learning from experienced chefs and receiving social worker support. Students also benefit from English classes and employability training. Through its catering service and training programs, Emma's Torch has helped over 600 graduates secure positions in the food service industry or establish their own restaurants.
Refugee Challenges and Stigma: Emma's Torch Solutions
Kerry Brodie explains that refugees often face significant prejudice in employment, with many employers questioning their capabilities. Emma's Torch works to counter these stereotypes by demonstrating that refugees can be excellent, hardworking employees in the food service industry. In response to the politicization of the refugee crisis, Brodie advocates for grassroots efforts that highlight shared human experiences and the benefits of building welcoming communities.
Impact and Success Stories of Emma's Torch
The organization's success is illustrated through stories like that of an Afghan single mother of six who, despite numerous challenges, completed the program and built a successful career. Emma's Torch's impact is further demonstrated by employers who actively seek out their graduates, with one New York cafe making Emma's Torch alumni 20% of their D.C. location's workforce. The organization's innovative approach has earned recognition, including being named a finalist for the Rami Awards in Washington, D.C.'s restaurant scene.
1-Page Summary
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- Emma Lazarus's poem, "The New Colossus," is inscribed on the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty. It is a sonnet that reflects on the statue's symbolism as a welcoming beacon for immigrants. The poem's famous lines include "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free." Emma Lazarus wrote this poem in 1883 to raise funds for the statue's pedestal and to capture the spirit of America as a land of opportunity for immigrants.
- Grassroots action involves local community members coming together to drive social or political change from the bottom up, rather than relying on established institutions or authorities. It emphasizes collective efforts, volunteerism, and community engagement to address issues and implement solutions at various levels. Grassroots movements often prioritize inclusivity, empowerment, and decentralized decision-making processes to amplify the voices and actions of ordinary people. By mobilizing individuals at the local level, grassroots initiatives aim to create meaningful impact and advocate for specific causes or changes in society.
- A social enterprise is an organization that uses business strategies to achieve social and environmental goals alongside financial sustainability. It aims to address social issues through its operations while generating revenue to support its mission. Social enterprises reinvest their profits into their social objectives and are distinct from traditional for-profit businesses in their dual focus on impact and financial viability. They seek to create positive change in society while operating in a financially self-sustaining manner.
Related Shortform Content
Get access to the context and additional materials
Motivation and Background For Starting Emma's Torch
Carrie Brodie's journey from a budding policy specialist to the founder of Emma's Torch reveals a deep commitment to grassroots change and the empowerment of refugees through culinary training.
Carrie Brodie, Inspired by Her Volunteering, Saw Refugees' Need For Job Opportunities
Inspired by her experiences and volunteering, Carrie Brodie recognized the need for job opportunities for refugees. It was while handing out muffins at a DC homeless shelter and conversing with refugees that Brodie saw the broader lives of individuals beyond moments of trauma and the human faces of a much-discussed global issue. This interaction became a catalyst for her idea of Emma's Torch.
Inspired by Emma Lazarus' Poem, Brodie Founded an Organization to Welcome "Huddled Masses"
Embracing the message of Emma Lazarus's poem on the Statue of Liberty, Brodie named her organization Emma's Torch to reflect the mission of welcoming refugees. The spirit of Lazarus's words aligns with Brodie’s view of Judaism and her religious imperative to welcome strangers. Brodie is motivated by the Jewish experience in America and history, emphasizing the country's role in opening doors instead of vilifying the 'other.'
Brodie's Impatience With Slow Change Led Her To a Grassroots Approach to the Refugee Crisis
Brodie discovered her impatience with the long, drawn-out process of policy change through her earlier career ambitions. While she admired those who dedicated decades to policy work, she believed her talents were better suited to immediate, grassroots action that could still transform society.
Encouraged by Her Husband and Mentors, Brodie Started Emma's Torch, a Nonprofit Offering Culinary Train ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Motivation and Background For Starting Emma's Torch
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can volunteer with local organizations that support refugees to gain firsthand experience and identify specific needs in your community. By working directly with refugees, you might notice gaps in services or opportunities that you could address. For example, if you realize that refugees in your area struggle with language barriers, you could start a small group focused on language practice and cultural exchange.
- Consider starting a mentorship program by connecting with professionals in your network who are willing to guide refugees in your community. This could be as simple as setting up a "buddy system" where each professional commits to helping one refugee navigate their career path, providing advice, and sharing job opportunities.
- Reflect on the causes that resonate with you and create a personal mission statemen ...
Related Shortform Content
Get access to the context and additional materials
Programs, Services, and Operations of Emma's Torch
Emma's Torch is a nonprofit social enterprise that equips refugees and survivors with culinary skills at its New York and upcoming D.C. locations.
Emma's Torch: Culinary Training For Refugees and Survivors in NY and D.C.
Emma's Torch, with three locations in New York and a planned expansion to D.C. in early 2026, specializes in culinary education for refugees and survivors, referred by a network of over 120 community-based organizations. Kerry Brodie, speaking about the program, emphasizes the importance of collaborative problem-solving when students face challenges outside the scope of Emma's Torch.
Students Earn Wages While Training, Practicing Skills, and Receiving Social and English Support
At Emma's Torch, students not only learn culinary skills from experienced chefs and social workers skilled in trauma-informed care but also earn full-time wages. The comprehensive training program covers employability, equity, and empowerment, offering practical work in the cafe, English classes, and social worker support.
Emma's Torch Catering Supports Refug ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Programs, Services, and Operations of Emma's Torch
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- Trauma-informed care is a framework that focuses on understanding and addressing the impact of trauma on individuals. It involves providing support and creating a safe environment for those who have experienced trauma. This approach emphasizes empathy, safety, and empowerment in helping individuals heal from their past experiences. Trauma-informed care is applied in various fields to assist people in coping with the effects of traumatic events.
- Employability, equity, and empowerment are key focuses of programs like Emma's Torch. Employability involves preparing individuals for work, equipping them with the skills and resources needed for employment. Equity ensures fair opportunities and treatment for all, regardless of background or circumstances. Empowerment aims to build confidence and agency in individuals, enabling them to take control of their lives and make positive changes. These principles are fundamental in supporting refugees and survivors in achieving self-sufficiency and success.
- Kerry Brodie is the founder of Emma's Torch, a nonprofit social enterprise that provides culinary training to refugees and survivors. She plays a key role in overseeing the organization's programs and operations, emphasizing collaborative problem-solving and support for students facing challenges. Kerry Brodie's leadership has been instrumental in the success of Emma's Torch, helping over 600 graduates find employment in the food service industry or start their own restaurants.
- Students are referred to the Emma's Torch program by a network of over 120 community-based organizations. These organizations identify and recom ...
Related Shortform Content
Get access to the context and additional materials
Refugee Challenges and Stigma: Emma's Torch Solutions
Emma’s Torch focuses on showcasing the capabilities of refugees as workers to combat stigma and advocates for grassroots efforts to emphasize shared humanity in light of the politicized refugee crisis.
Refugees Face Prejudice and Stigma in Employment, With Employers Questioning Their Capabilities
There is a prevailing stigma around refugees as employees, with many questioning their work capabilities. Kerry Brodie mentions that students at Emma's Torch have faced prejudice and vilification. Brodie emphasizes that refugees are individuals with hopes and dreams who wish to contribute to society. Emma's Torch aims to demonstrate that refugees can be excellent and hard-working employees, countering the narrative that newcomers are taking jobs from locals.
Emma's Torch Shows Refugees Thrive As Hardworking, Valuable Food Service Workers
Emma's Torch specifically provides an avenue for refugees to prove themselves as valuable workers within the food service industry. By showcasing their talents and contributions, the organization seeks to address the stereotypes and misconceptions that often prevent refugees from securing employment.
Refugee Crisis Politicized: Politicians Use It to Divide and Scapegoat Newcomers
Jay Ruderman discusses the highly politicized nature of the refugee issue and inquires about its evolution. While not explicit in her response, Brodie acknowledges that the language of hate and division often used in political spheres does not benefit the community and implies that certain political actors utilize refugees as a scapegoat.
Brodie Advocates Grassroots Efforts Highlighting Shared Humanity and the Benefits of Welcoming Refugees
Kerry Brodie suggests that progress can be made through grassroots endeavors that focus on shared experiences and challenges faced by everyone. She recommends uniting eff ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Refugee Challenges and Stigma: Emma's Torch Solutions
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- While Emma's Torch showcases refugees as capable workers, it's important to recognize that not all refugees may have the skills or experience for the food service industry, and a broader range of training and employment opportunities should be considered.
- The focus on refugees' capabilities might inadvertently overshadow the need for comprehensive support systems that address other barriers to employment, such as language proficiency, recognition of foreign qualifications, and mental health support.
- While grassroots efforts are important, systemic changes at the policy level are also necessary to create significant and lasting impact on the integration of refugees into the workforce.
- The emphasis on shared humanity and common challenges is valuable, but it's also important to acknowledge and address the unique experiences and traumas that refugees may carry, which might not be shared by the local population.
- Advocating for the benefits of welcoming refugees should be balanced with discussions on the challenges of integration to ensure that communities are prepared to provide the necessary support and resources.
- The narrative of refugees as hard-working employees should not lead to the expectation that they must perform exceptionally to justify their presence in the ...
Actionables
- You can foster understanding by sharing stories of refugees' successes and challenges on social media. Use your personal accounts to highlight articles, videos, and posts that showcase the achievements and aspirations of refugees in various fields, not just food service, to help shift the narrative and combat stigma.
- Start a book club focused on literature by refugee authors or stories about the refugee experience. This can be a simple gathering with friends or an online community. By reading and discussing these works, you contribute to spreading awareness and empathy, which can lead to more inclusive attitudes in your circle.
- Volunteer your time with local organizations that supp ...
Get access to the context and additional materials
Impact and Success Stories of Emma's Torch
Emma’s Torch is an organization known for its commendable work in empowering refugees by providing them with educational opportunities to build new lives in the United States.
Emma's Torch Empowers Students, Providing Skills, Confidence, and Job Opportunities for New Lives in the US
Empowerment and inspiration are at the heart of Emma’s Torch, as it not only educates students about the American workforce but also assists them in securing long-term employment with opportunities for advancement.
Student Overcomes Challenges as Single Mother of six to Achieve Career Success
Kerry Brodie recounts the story of an Afghan single mother of six who, despite living in a shelter and facing personal adversities, joined the pilot program at Emma's Torch. Her journey to success, marked by resilience and determination even after experiencing a kitchen injury, deeply moved and inspired Brodie. This former student, emblematic of perseverance, has since forged a prosperous career path. Her experience leaves an indelible mark on the charity, serving as a testament to the potential for transformation through opportunity and support.
Emma’s Torch is on the verge of celebrating the graduation of its 600th student, with a target of 625 graduates soon to follow. Some of its alumni have pursued entrepreneurship opening their own restaurants, and others have achieved promotions within their workplaces. A testament to the professionalism and skill of Emma's Torch graduates is illustrated by a New York cafe that hired them, subsequently making them 20% of the workforce in their new D.C. location, demonstrating a reliable business case for employing these determined individuals.
Cafes and Catering Services Support Refugees and Foster Community Connections
Emma's Torch operates in the growing sector of mission-driven restaurants, providing vital support opportunities for members of the refugee community.
While specific details pertai ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Impact and Success Stories of Emma's Torch
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can support refugee integration by offering mentorship or tutoring services in your area of expertise. Reach out to local organizations that work with refugees and offer to share your knowledge, whether it's in language, professional skills, or cultural orientation. For example, if you're proficient in English, you could help refugees improve their language skills, which is crucial for their integration and employment prospects.
- Create a community cookbook to celebrate and share the diverse culinary traditions of refugees in your area. Collaborate with individuals from various backgrounds to compile recipes and stories, then sell the cookbook to raise funds for refugee support programs. This not only fosters cultural exchange but also provides a tangible way to contribute to the economic empowerment of refugees.
- Start a small-scale initiative to promote products or ...
Related Shortform Content
Get access to the context and additional materials
Create Summaries for anything on the web
Download the Shortform Chrome extension for your browser
