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Culinary Creativity & Youth Empowerment
In 2022, I AM INVISIBLE Bullying & Suicide joined forces with Cooking The Wright Way to deliver a powerful, no‑cost culinary experience led by celebrity chefs Sterling Wright and Brandon Williams. With support from Clarksville’s own Chef Robin Williams, Chef Brandon Williams, and a rising junior chef from Nashville, local youth stepped into a kitchen that sparked confidence, creativity, and real‑world life skills. The program’s impact was so strong it earned local media recognition, fueling a movement of enrichment, visibility, and healing that continues to grow. Research shows that hands‑on culinary programs help youth build creativity, confidence, teamwork, and problem‑solving skills—outcomes reflected in the success of this initiative (Culinary Institute of America, 2019).
Culinary Institute of America. (2019).
Culinary Institute of America. (2019). The benefits of culinary education for youth development. Culinary Institute of America.
Student Interviews
The first step of our program was a brief interview with each child who wanted to attend. This allowed us to learn their interests, goals, and excitement before beginning the culinary experience. These conversations helped us understand what each student hoped to gain and ensured we created a supportive, meaningful environment from day one. With Chef Sterling Wright leading the program, the children were especially eager to begin their journey. We invite you to watch the video below to hear directly from the students and feel the joy and anticipation they brought into the program.
Meet Our Culinary Team
Our program was supported by a dedicated team of culinary professionals and volunteers who played a vital role in creating a safe, structured, and inspiring learning environment. Chef Sterling Wright, Chef Brandon, Chef Robin Little, and Chef Brandon Little brought exceptional skill, patience, and passion to every lesson. Their leadership ensured that students received high‑quality instruction, consistent encouragement, and hands‑on support throughout the program. Our volunteers further strengthened the experience by assisting with safety, preparation, and student engagement, helping every child feel seen, supported, and capable of success. In addition, our camera crew documented the entire journey, capturing the learning process, student growth, and the impact of each activity to support future programming, storytelling, and grant reporting.
Culinary Skills in Action
With guidance from Chef Sterling Wright, Chef Brandon, Chef Robin Little, and Chef Brandon Little, students engaged in a hands‑on culinary experience that transformed each lesson into real‑world practice. Building on their kitchen safety training, they applied accurate measuring techniques, safe knife handling, and responsible equipment use while seasoning, sautéing, and plating. This experience strengthened their quantitative reasoning, fine‑motor coordination, and ability to follow multi‑step processes academic skills that directly support classroom learning. Through teamwork, creativity, and problem‑solving, students gained confidence and developed practical culinary abilities that connect to broader educational growth and personal development.
Culinary Prep Begins: Educational Grocery Tour
Our program opened with an Educational Grocery Tour designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of smart, intentional shopping. Thanks to Publix for hosting this experience, the children were able to learn how to read labels, compare products, select fresh ingredients, and understand the role of budgeting in meal preparation. Guided by chefs and volunteers, this hands‑on learning not only prepared them for the cooking lessons that followed, but also empowered them with practical life skills they can use at home and throughout their lives.
Home Assignment
To reinforce the skills learned in class, each student received a Cook‑At‑Home Assignment complete with ingredients and step‑by‑step instructions. This activity encouraged students to recreate the dish independently, applying accurate measuring, safe food‑handling practices, and multi‑step sequencing at home. The assignment strengthened family engagement, boosted student confidence, and supported academic development by reinforcing reading comprehension, time management, and practical math skills. Families shared that students took pride in preparing meals for their households, demonstrating the lasting impact of the program beyond the classroom.
Graduation & Student Recognition
At the conclusion of the program, students participated in a meaningful graduation ceremony celebrating their hard work, growth, and commitment. In the final days leading up to graduation, students worked alongside Chef Sterling Wright, Chef Brandon, Chef Robin Little, and Chef Brandon Little to help prepare a special dinner for their parents and guardians. This experience allowed them to apply their culinary skills in a real‑world setting while contributing to a meal that honored their families. During the ceremony, each student received a certificate recognizing their completion of the program and the academic and life skills they strengthened along the way. Families, partners, and supporters joined in to celebrate the students’ achievements, creating a proud moment that highlighted their confidence, teamwork, and dedication.
Culinary Program Recognition
Our Culinary Team was honored by the Clarksville City Council for the 2022 “Cooking the Wright Way” Program, presented by Councilman Juan Little in recognition of our commitment to youth empowerment, creativity, and hands‑on learning.
Family Voices: Parent Perspectives
Parents shared the following feedback about their children’s experience in the program.
This week has been phenomenal for the kids. Culinary classes with celebrity Chef Sterling Wright from Hell’s Kitchen along with Chef Brandon. Sharon Kaye Edwards and Robin Little, you all put together an incredible experience these children will hold for life. ❤️👩🍳🧑🍳 Thank you. And Dwight Jemison and Latanya Jackson, thank you all for today ❤️❤️. Words cannot express ❤️❤️
Sharita Wysinger Brown
Where to start? What an amazing experience for my children! All the volunteers and people who came together to make this possible we are so grateful the different leadership skills and life lessons, and new opportunities that this class has brought is endless. With not many opportunities for children to do extra curriculum activities and providing them with the food to cook at home for their family was truly a blessing!
Lavon Cooper Bracey
A Big thank you, first and foremost to God, for allowing people to come into our lives for the betterment of it. My son Mateo and many children here in Clarksville, TN, had an opportunity to show their skills and learn from celebrity Chef Sterling Wright from Hell's Kitchen. Also, two Chef Brandon's, and Chef Robin Little, a pastor with Diamond Ministries. A special thank you to Sharon Kaye Edwards (Grandma Sharon), for putting this all together and for being a voice and a listening ear, though I'm Invisible.
Rosalee Lugo