Drexel University in Philadelphia, in collaboration with the Fleisher Art Memorial, has organized a course focused on food justice with Mexican immigrant women from South Philadelphia. This educational program will begin on June 22 and will run for 10 weeks.

Community leader Ivonne Pinto García is part of this initiative, led by Dr. Steve Vásquez Dolph with the university’s Food Lab, whose associate director and research chef is Rachel Sherman.

The well-known activist from Puebla shared: “Many years ago, I met Professor Steve, who teaches Spanish and culture at Drexel University. He guides his students to engage in conversations about issues that matter to us, such as the right to gardens, access to green spaces, and reclaiming our traditions and culture. He also encourages us to remember our ancestors through seeds: to know them, understand where they are planted, and identify community spaces where we can grow food and take part in both planting and harvesting. In this case, the central theme of the workshops is corn, the king of our table.”

Two community chefs, Mary and Sonia, along with Susana, a talented baker, will share their culinary knowledge passed down from their families in Mexico. Twenty members of the immigrant community will take part in this free course alongside university students. They will learn about Mexican gastronomy and visit community gardens to complement their learning.

Student Victoria Rodríguez, an active participant in the course, highlighted the importance of “college students experiencing Mexican culinary traditions firsthand in an intergenerational setting.”

Steve Vásquez Dolph was born in Queens, New York, to Colombian immigrant parents. He holds a Ph.D. in Spanish and Portuguese studies from the University of Pennsylvania. At Drexel, he works closely with the Latino community in Philadelphia. In 2023, he was named Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the College of Arts and Sciences. He has collaborated with local organizations such as the Sankofa Community Farm at Bartram’s Garden, the César Andreu Iglesias Community Garden, and the Norris Square Neighborhood Project to develop the course “Food Security and Land in Philadelphia.”