The first episode of Beyond the Kale features Maya Madsen, founder of America's #1 Black-owned gourmet vegan cookie company.

After founding the San Diego-based company in 2015, Maya saw a 10,000% increase in sales in June 2020. Following the horrific and tragic death of George Floyd, people across the country were looking for ways to support Black communities and Black-owned businesses. At the time, Maya's Cookies was featured on numerous lists of Black-owned businesses, resulting in the huge jump in sales.

During this episode, Maya and I speak about how the experiences in her life prepared her for that challenge, why it's important to continue supporting Black-owned businesses, and her go-to spot when she's craving delicious vegan food in San Diego.

Maya's favorite spot for a delicious vegan meal is Plant Power Fast Food.

https://www.plantpowerfastfood.com/

Maya's Cookies

Website:

https://www.mayascookies.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/mayascookiessandiego

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/mayascookiessandiego/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/mayascookies

Maya's Cookies supports a number of organizations and causes

DETOUR FANCY

A mentoring program for girls of color.

http://detourempowers.org/

The Achiever Program

A mentoring program for boys of color.

https://www.sandiegolinks.org/

Farm Animal Refuge

A San Diego-based agricultural animal rescue.

https://farmanimalrefuge.org/

PETA

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is the world's largest animal rights organization.

https://www.peta.org/

The Center

The Center provides programs and services to the the San Diego LGBTQ community.

https://thecentersd.org/

Follow Beyond the Kale

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/beyondkalepod

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/beyondkalepod/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/beyondkalepod

Music fromUppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/sensho/good-times

License code: XH2BAQWKJQE9DTBZ

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/sensho/tribe

License code: B7OWOZ0UBCQ2RZ7J