Mary Johns founded Open Kitchen DC, a boutique food and storytelling company that hosts events at immigrant-owned restaurants in the broader DC area, out of a desire to honor the experiences of immigrant business owners who have uprooted their lives to make a new start in the United States. Her events center people and culture with delicious food as an accompaniment, a welcome divergence from some other food-centric events at which the people behind the food are an afterthought. Like all business owners, Mary has had to change her business model during the pandemic and sees more shifts on the horizon as winter approaches. Despite challenges, Mary and her restaurant partners remain an inspiring example of the power of community. Hear more about Mary and her incredible work through Open Kitchen DC in this episode. 

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