When Touré Folkes launched Turning Tables, a Greater New Orleans nonprofit, in 2019, he did so with a vision for helping black and brown beverage professionals break down the barriers they disproportionately face in the hospitality industry. In the five years since, his organization has done just that, and it now has another $25,000 to put toward addressing pressing industry issues as a winner of Another Round Another Rally’s Rally for Tomorrow 2024 Sustainability Grant.
After an almost 20-year career within the hospitality industry and behind the bar, Touré understood all too well the challenges people of color encounter in a predominantly white industry and created Turning Tables to help level the playing field.
“I’d felt taken for granted,” he said, noting that, despite performance as a server having the highest sales numbers or the most “regulars,” he often felt overlooked for promotions or opportunities for growth. After establishing himself within the industry in New York, he moved to New Orleans and found that while the majority of the population consisted Black, native New Orleanians, their representation in managerial or leadership positions was low in comparison and did not reflect the population of the city.
After volunteering and collaborating with a few local nonprofits, he piloted the first year of Turning Tables with seven Native New Orleanians , developing programming with the intention of helping marginalized members of the bar community with training, networking opportunities, externships and job placement. As a part of the twelve week externship program, students gain a multifaceted foundation in the industry, including ways in which to create a more sustainable lifestyle, providing resources focusing on industry lifestyle maintenance, providing hands-on experience and skill development, and educating those it serves about smart sourcing, waste reduction and other industry-specific sustainability practices. Local partner, “Glass Half Full,” a commercial recycling program based in New Orleans, encourages bar businesses to adopt more eco-friendly practices.
Touré and the rest of the team plan to use the grant money to expand Turning Tables’ workforce development and environmental efforts to do their part in making New Orleans a more sustainable and environmentally conscious city. Grant funds will also go toward expanding access to childcare, mental health and affordable health care resources for marginalized members of the bar community.
“I didn’t want being a parent to be a boundary for anyone,” Touré said, noting that access to affordable childcare, in particular, is critical for those looking to advance their careers in the spirits industry.
Additional grant funds will help finance the expansion of the Bystander and De-Escalation Training Turning Tables offers in conjunction with Safe Bars. The training program seeks to equip bar staff with the skills and knowledge they need to prevent and address incidents of harassment or violence in alcohol-serving settings.
Finally, Turning Tables is eyeing expansion into other areas and is in the early stages of researching city-specific workforce and resource needs to figure out where future efforts might make the most impact.
“I entered this industry alone, and without people who understood what was happening with regard to racism and microaggressions that I encountered throughout my career. I felt like I was on a treadmill for so long,” Touré said. “While I knew we’d help our grads get jobs behind the bar, I didn’t anticipate seeing so many excel to have in such a short period of time. I marvel at the community we have been able to build everyday , seeing them support each other and their successes. Our amazing growth makes me think we’re onto something, and making a real difference in this city – and this industry as a whole.”