Billy Penn Studios was transformed into a culinary haven as OIC Philadelphia hosted its signature event, A Taste of OIC. The stunning venue provided the perfect backdrop for an evening of extraordinary flavors and warm fellowship, where four distinguished chefs turned each corner into a celebration of culinary artistry and community connection.
Leading the stellar lineup was Chef Kristol Bryant, CHOPPED Champion and beloved host of City Eats TV, who dazzled guests with her innovative approach to cuisine. Joining her was Chef Ernesto Venturo, whose acclaimed Camden restaurant La Ingrata has redefined local dining, bringing his signature flair to the evening's offerings.
The culinary journey continued with Chef Darlene Jones, the creative force behind Starr Fusion Restaurants in West Philadelphia, who demonstrated why she's considered one of the city's most visionary culinary talents. Our own Chef Tracey Borden, Executive Chef Instructor at OIC, rounded out the impressive roster, representing the dedication to excellence that defines our culinary education program.
Made possible through the generous support of our premier sponsors, Comcast and the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority, this event exemplified the power of partnership in building stronger communities. Their commitment, alongside the contributions of all our sponsors, enables OIC Philadelphia to continue its vital mission of workforce development and education.
A special shoutout to our friends at Oak Leaf Media for their exceptional work in producing this inspiring piece! We hope these stories will move you as much as they motivate us to continue our mission of empowering lives through culinary education. Thank you for your ongoing support in making success stories like these possible.
Watch the recap of A Taste of OIC
We are pleased to announce the historic appointment of Dr. Marshaun R. Hymon as our first-ever Chief Learning Officer. With an impressive background in talent management, program development, and diversity, equity, and inclusion practices, Dr. Hymon brings a wealth of experience to this crucial role. He is poised to lead OIC Philadelphia into a new era of transformative learning and development.
Dr. Hymon's passion for our mission is evident - he's relocating from Florida to Philadelphia specifically for this opportunity, demonstrating his commitment to OIC and the communities we serve.
"We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Hymon to the OIC Philadelphia family," said Sheila Ireland, CEO & President of OIC Philadelphia. "His extensive experience in creating impactful learning strategies for Fortune 500 companies and his commitment to advancing underrepresented talent aligns perfectly with our mission. Dr. Hymon's innovative approach to skills-based hiring and talent development will be instrumental in expanding our ability to prepare Philadelphia's workforce for the jobs of tomorrow."
Prior to joining OIC Philadelphia, Dr. Hymon held leadership positions at prominent workforce organizations including OneTen, Grads of Life, and Year Up United. His work has focused on creating “Communities of Practice” that enable major corporations to implement effective strategies for attracting, hiring, retaining, and advancing diverse talent."I am honored to join OIC Philadelphia and contribute to its vital mission of empowering individuals through education and workforce development," said Dr. Hymon.
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We’re excited to announce the well-deserved promotions of two outstanding members of our team! Their hard work, dedication, and passion for excellence have not gone unnoticed, and we are thrilled to see them grow into new roles within the company.
Alida Padilla-Curry has been promoted to Director of Community & Alumni Engagement. Known for her dedication to fostering strong relationships with our students, alumni, and community, Mrs. Curry has played a key role in building and nurturing connections that support our mission. In this new position, she will be focusing on strengthening our community partnerships and enhancing alumni engagement initiatives.
Nadaysha Screven has also been promoted to Marketing & Events Manager. Since joining us, she has shown outstanding creativity and leadership, consistently bringing fresh ideas to our events and marketing initiatives. In this new role, Nadaysha will continue to enhance our brand’s visibility and engagement. Please join us in congratulating Alida and Nadaysha on these exciting career milestones. We look forward to the incredible things they’ll accomplish in their new roles!
In a significant step forward for Philadelphia's healthcare workforce development, OIC Philadelphia is proud to announce the launch of our innovative Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) pilot program. This initiative has been made possible through the generous support of Mayor Cherelle L. Parker and the William Penn Foundation. The program's announcement has already generated tremendous community response, with over 500 inquiries received—a clear indication of both the pressing need for mental health professionals in our city and the eagerness of Philadelphians to step into these crucial roles.
On October 14th, the program officially began with its inaugural cohort. Program Director Eileen Godfrey welcomed a full class of dedicated students, each bringing their unique perspective and commitment to addressing our community's mental health needs. "The energy and dedication I see in this first cohort is truly inspiring," says Godfrey. "These students understand the vital role they'll play in strengthening our community's mental health support system."
The strategic funding allocation will not only enhance our existing healthcare training programs but also pioneer this new specialized track for behavioral health technicians. This initiative comes at a critical time when our community faces increasing demand for mental health support services.
"The overwhelming response to our BHT program demonstrates the vital importance of expanding access to mental health career pathways in Philadelphia," notes Godfrey. "With over 500 individuals expressing interest, and our first cohort now underway, we're witnessing firsthand how this program resonates with our community's needs and aspirations." The Behavioral Health Technician Program is designed to equip participants with the essential skills and qualifications needed to provide crucial mental health support services, helping to address the growing demand for behavioral health professionals in our region.
It’s always a great day at OIC Philadelphia when the legendary rapper, Philly Freeway stops by! Free came to drop some serious gems on our third Digital Media & Audio Engineering cohort. This marks a major milestone for OIC as we continue to cultivate and inspire the next generation of creatives. The students left feeling motivated and ready to put in the work, equipped with insights from a Philly icon.
Big shoutout to Freeway and Freedom Thinkers Academy for empowering our students.
Our Culinary students had an incredible experience visiting The People's Kitchen Philly , a community-driven collaboration of chefs, students, and locals coming together to tackle food insecurity in Philadelphia.
Under the guidance of amazing chefs, our students sharpened their skills, prepared nutritious, delicious meals, and learned what it means to cook with purpose and heart for the community.
Learning, growing, and giving back—this is what our program is all about. We're proud to partner with such an inspiring organization that’s making a real impact.
Check out the photos from this incredible day!
If you’ve walked through OIC Philadelphia’s doors in the past two years, you’ve undoubtedly been greeted by the warm smile of Taleem, always eager to welcome you with a hearty “Greetings!”
Taleem came to OIC to pursue a career in hospitality, and upon his graduation, we saw something truly special in him. That’s why we offered him a position here. Over the past two years, we’ve had the privilege of watching him grow and blossom into an incredible young man.
Three months ago, Taleem embarked on a new journey, joining the U.S. Marine Corps.
Recently, he returned to visit, and as you can imagine, we were all overjoyed to welcome him back. We are so proud of Taleem Lewis and look forward to seeing all the great things he will continue to accomplish.
Congratulations to OIC Philadelphia’s President & CEO, Sheila Ireland, on being honored as a recipient of this year’s Philadelphia Business Journal’s Women of Influence award! Not only was she an award recipient, but she was also a featured panelist, sharing her expertise and leadership.
This recognition is a testament to Sheila’s commitment to empowering communities and driving change. We are proud to celebrate her outstanding achievements!
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On October 16th, we honored the remarkable life and enduring impact of our founder, Rev. Dr. Leon H. Sullivan. A visionary social activist, civil rights leader, and Baptist minister, Dr. Sullivan's influence reached far beyond Philadelphia to touch lives across the globe.
In the Philadelphia Inquirer, Dr. Sullivan's granddaughter, Elisabeth Sullivan-Johnson beautifully captured his legacy: "Both of them [Dr. Sullivan and his wife, Grace Banks Sullivan] were children of the Jim Crow era, with every odd stacked viciously against them, and yet they managed to change the world together."
As the flagship of the global OIC movement, OIC Philadelphia proudly carries the torch lit by Dr. Sullivan over five decades ago.
We are thrilled to announce that Andrew Bergman, Chief Advancement Officer at OIC Philadelphia, has been appointed to Mayor Cherelle Parker's LGBTQ+ Advisory Commission. This prestigious appointment, made on Friday, October 4th places Andrew among 19 distinguished individuals chosen to advise on matters affecting Philadelphia's LGBTQ+ community.
Andrew's new role on the LGBTQ+ Advisory Commission aligns with the Sullivan Principles, a set of guidelines developed by Reverend Dr. Leon Sullivan to promote equal rights and social justice. These principles, which originally focused on ending workplace discrimination and promoting equal opportunities, have evolved to encompass broader issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). As Andrew notes, "This appointment ties directly to the legacy of Reverend Dr. Leon Sullivan, whose work in economic empowerment and the Sullivan Principles promoting DEI continue to guide us today."
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OIC alumni Ernesto Ventura's family-owned restaurant, La Ingrata Camden , located in Camden, NJ, was recently highlighted by The Philadelphia Inquirer as one of the "restaurants defining Philly's dining scene right now!"
"South Philly gets most of the attention when it comes to great Mexican food, but Federal Street in East Camden, where chef Ernesto Ventura grew up, is a
thriving corridor, too. That’s where he and his wife, chef Karla Torres, opened their cheerful black- and pink-trimmed BYOB in a former pizzeria just minutes
from the Ben Franklin Bridge. The cooking from this couple, both alums of Schulson kitchens focuses on flavor memories from Torres’ upbringing in Mexico
City with sizzling alambre skillets, crispy gordita pockets stuffed with carnitas, pig’s head pozole, Zacatecas green mole, and refreshing house tepache. Ventura’s Poblano-style Árabes tacos with tamarind salsa and the smoky short rib barbacoa served over singed agave leaves are also essentials."
— Craig LaBan
Ernesto was also a featured chef at our A Taste of OIC event! If you were there, you know his tacos were something to brag about! We love to see our alumnus being recognized for their doing what they love and showcasing their hard work and dedication to their communities
