SPRING 2025
THE EVOLVED NETWORK NEWSLETTER
NOTE FROM SEBASTIAN
Dear TEN Friends,
We are only three months into 2025, and so much has already come to pass. I am excited to bring you the latest updates in the TEN universe and leave you with more to look forward to. As you'll see in this newsletter, our collective hard work and momentum from last year are already paying off. The seeds we planted, with your support, are germinating. Let's see what's next to sprout:
We are only three months into 2025, and so much has already come to pass. I am excited to bring you the latest updates in the TEN universe and leave you with more to look forward to. As you'll see in this newsletter, our collective hard work and momentum from last year are already paying off. The seeds we planted, with your support, are germinating. Let's see what's next to sprout:
Coming Soon:
- On April 2nd, I will be traveling to NYC to attend the Farm to School Lunch Across America Kitchen Cabinet Meeting. Our committee - consisting of a phenomenal group of chefs, food advocates, and experts - will join forces in uplifting a local food movement for students across the country.
- We are excited to begin recording for TEN's highly-anticipated podcast, By Choice, Accident, or Grace. In partnership with TEN Board Member and journalist Jamaica Ponder, this podcast will showcase the people, philosophy, and points of discussion that drive all we do. Look out for more details to come!
The landscape of our world is changing, and bringing with it a rumbling of uncertainty in our homes, schools, and kitchens. Somehow, as the state of affairs gets more bleak, the ethos of our mission grows stronger. All of this to say--keep your hope and stay connected. Our path forward is next to one another.
With gratitude,
Sebastian
With gratitude,
Sebastian
A NEW PRESIDENT HAS ARRIVED
You may have heard that about The Evolved Network's new Board President and chair--Melissa Clark!
A valiant community advocate and titan of the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry, Melissa is excitedly bringing her expertise in strategic thinking and operational efficiency to this next chapter of growth at TEN.
A valiant community advocate and titan of the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry, Melissa is excitedly bringing her expertise in strategic thinking and operational efficiency to this next chapter of growth at TEN.
Melissa currently serves as the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Primera Engineers, as well as a Board Member for Green City Market, Treasurer of the Primera Foundation, and an active member of Chicago United and the CFO Leadership Council-Chicago Chapter.
Last month, Melissa and Sebastian participated in WIPFLI's Black History Month Collaboration Panel. Joined by our new friends at UCAN and members of WIPFLI's Embrace initiative, this panel engaged in rich conversation on DEI moderated by Melissa. Thank you, Melissa and Sebastian, for representing TEN and the communities we serve!
Last month, Melissa and Sebastian participated in WIPFLI's Black History Month Collaboration Panel. Joined by our new friends at UCAN and members of WIPFLI's Embrace initiative, this panel engaged in rich conversation on DEI moderated by Melissa. Thank you, Melissa and Sebastian, for representing TEN and the communities we serve!
WILLIAM RAY ELEMENTARY FUNDRAISER
We currently offer free programming at William Ray Elementary School in Hyde Park. During our time together, Ray Elementary has quickly become a beloved partner. In addition to welcoming us into their school, they have also warmly embraced a variety of shared initiatives. These include A Seat at the Table Coalition and the aforementioned Farm to School Lunch Across America initiative.
Our top priority is preserving and expanding the reach of our work with community partners like Ray Elementary. In pursuit of this sustainability, we will be partnering with them to put on a fundraising event on May 2, 2025. This fundraiser will be open to students, families, and neighbors in Hyde Park. The menu will include dishes from: Chef Sarah Stegnar (Prairie Grass Cafe), Chef Darnell Reed (Luellas Southern Kitchen), Chef Michael Ciapciak (Bang Bang Pie and Biscuits), Chef Tigist Reda (Demera), and Chef Sebastian White (Evolved Kitchen and Garden).
Our top priority is preserving and expanding the reach of our work with community partners like Ray Elementary. In pursuit of this sustainability, we will be partnering with them to put on a fundraising event on May 2, 2025. This fundraiser will be open to students, families, and neighbors in Hyde Park. The menu will include dishes from: Chef Sarah Stegnar (Prairie Grass Cafe), Chef Darnell Reed (Luellas Southern Kitchen), Chef Michael Ciapciak (Bang Bang Pie and Biscuits), Chef Tigist Reda (Demera), and Chef Sebastian White (Evolved Kitchen and Garden).
A YOUNG CHEF'S JOURNAL
When Chef Sarah Stegner of Prairie Grass Cafe offered a potential collaboration with other restaurants in the Chicagoland area, this opportunity opened up a world of endless possibilities for us. We knew we wanted this venture to embrace TEN’s essential values: community, connectedness, and sustainability. Thus, A Young Chef’s Journal was born.
A Young Chef’s Journal is a series of worksheets that guide budding chefs through the process of creating their own dishes while tapping into their own senses and imagination. The exercises feature local and seasonal ingredients, which we believe––when paired with the exploration of their imagination––can create limitless educational and therapeutic opportunities.
We are showcasing this campaign at our partner restaurants––Prairie Grass Cafe, Verzenay, Demera, Luella’s Southern Kitchen, Nakorn, and Floriole––where patrons are using our worksheets as interactive placemats. Bring the young (and even old) chefs in your life to our partner restaurants for a delicious meal and to see our approach in action, and visit our website to learn more about how you can bring the dialogue to your own table.
We are showcasing this campaign at our partner restaurants––Prairie Grass Cafe, Verzenay, Demera, Luella’s Southern Kitchen, Nakorn, and Floriole––where patrons are using our worksheets as interactive placemats. Bring the young (and even old) chefs in your life to our partner restaurants for a delicious meal and to see our approach in action, and visit our website to learn more about how you can bring the dialogue to your own table.
Our First Dinner of the Year
Last month, Chef Sebastian White was joined by James Beard Award’s 2023 finalist and current semifinalist Chef Diana Dávila for TEN’s first fundraising dinner of the year! This sold out event at Mi Tocaya Antojeria in Chicago featured an unforgettable five-course tasting menu over discussion of our mission and impact. Thank you to Chef Diana Dávila and her incredible staff for making this event possible!
The Evolved Network Way Has Arrived
Speaking of germination… We are excited to announce the emergence of our work on The Evolved Network Way, the philosophical foundation of all the work we do. The TEN Way has now been unveiled to the Comer Crops and Culinary Team’s young adult interns at the Gary Comer Youth Center. Under the guidance of Sebastian and Sandra Reno (Urban Agriculture Production Manager), these young people are among the first to receive the TEN Way modules. If you or others you know are interested in experiencing the power of the modules for yourself, follow the link above to learn more.
Stay tuned for a view into the incredible work they’re doing!
Stay tuned for a view into the incredible work they’re doing!
Partner Spotlight
This quarter, we are highlighting our partners at Broader Urban Involvement & Leadership Development (BUILD). In partnership with the BUILD team, TEN is able to provide after school programming free of charge at George Leland Elementary School.
Thank you, BUILD––we are so grateful to continue to be in partnership with you!
Thank you, BUILD––we are so grateful to continue to be in partnership with you!
WANT TO VOLUNTEER WITH US?
One of our goals for this year is to create more opportunities for you––our TEN friends and supporters––to experience the magic this work creates up close and personal. We will soon be adding a volunteer form to our website to facilitate these opportunities, so stay tuned for more information to come!
With gratitude,
The Evolved Network Team
The Evolved Network Team