Organization: House of Bah Foundation
Title: Executive Director
Nominated by: Jo Phillips, Supporter / House of Bah Foundation
Chef Djibril Djamil (pronounced Jamil) Bah-Traore has been working in the culinary field for over a decade. Originally from Togo, West Africa, and a resident of Omaha, Nebraska for more than two decades, Djamil founded the House of Bah Food Group and later the House of Bah Foundation (formerly Eat Nโ Talk Africa) in 2021, today serving as the Executive and Culinary Director. Through these, he supports members of the African diaspora and other displaced people to find community and trains people for jobs in the culinary arts.As a member of the African diaspora, Chef Djamil stands out for his unwavering commitment to uplifting underrepresented culinary traditions and communities here in Omaha. Through his nonprofit, House of Bah Foundation, he runs programs that empower immigrant and refugee chefs, while also educating the broader public about the richness of global cuisines. Djamil has gone above and beyond to normalize โethnicโ cuisines, hosting events that showcase diverse food cultures in fine dining settings, at community events, and more. His passion for using food to build connections and break down stereotypes is truly inspiring and unparalleled. He is determined to change the status quo, and he works tirelessly to realize this vision.
Chef Djamilโs day-to-day involves managing House of Bah Foundation, the nonprofit he founded in 2021. As the Executive and Culinary Director, he oversees the organizationโs core programs: the Immigrant Culinary Integration class, which teaches recent immigrants and refugees about American cuisine and helps them share their authentic foods with the wider community; and the African Culinary Academy, which educates people about African culinary heritage. Additionally, he consistently advocates for increased representation of African cuisine in Omahaโs culinary scene, working to break down stereotypes and showcase the diversity of African food cultures.
Chef Djamilโs efforts through the House of Bah Foundation have a significant impact. He provides deeply needed connection and community to displaced people. This is crucial to their sense of well-being and belonging, as well as providing practical skills that lead to well-paying, culturally-affirming culinary jobs. This year, he launched the African Culinary AcademyโKids cooking classes, which provided culinary training for over 60 children from the African diaspora. In the classes, these kids learned about African cuisine and were reconnected to their culinary heritage, which is fundamental to their identity. He also reinvests in former students: refugee women who completed the Immigrant Culinary Integration programโwhich trains recently-arrived refugees and immigrants, helping them gain practical culinary skills and integrate into the local communityโ were hired to help deliver the African Culinary classes.
Chef Djamil and the House of Bah Foundation recently joined the Catalyst Kitchen network with the support of the Jacques Pepin Foundation. Chef Djamil is now looking for a permanent location to deliver House of Bah Foundationโs culinary programs to Omahaโs refugee/immigrant community and members of the African diaspora. Catalyst Kitchen members have been so supportive in helping navigate the many challenges that opening a new social enterprise restaurant presents. Theyโve generously offered their experiences, watch-outs, and observations, which helps us to get even better. We are so grateful to be a part of this network. Its expert support helps us to complete our wider goal of creating forums for historically underrepresented people to share their culinary talents in Omaha and beyond.
SPECIAL ALERT!
Thanks to a generous donation from a founding Catalyst Kitchens board member and friend of David Carleton, the Catalyst Kitchen’s Founder’s Fund has an opportunity to raise matching funds up to $5,000 during this year’s Catalyst for Change Award Season!
This is a time-limited opportunity to get your gift matched! Donate now by clicking the button below, before the window closes to double your generosity and impact!
Here are the 2024 Catalyst for Change. As you read their stories, consider supporting the work of Catalyst Kitchens and our members, enabling the amazing impact of frontline staff like our nominees.
