Empowering Women to Lead Through Mentorship + AdvocacyMAPP Impact

Joanna James, the creator of Vanity Fair’s Best Documentary by a 1st-time filmmaker A Fine Line, furthers the fight for equal rights with Mentorship, Advocacy, Pandemic relief, and the Power of Women (MAPP).  Founded in 2019 after the film’s premiere sparked national conversations regarding gender bias in restaurant culture and the food system, the 501C3 non-profit empowers women to lead using a roadmap designed with the industry’s top programs, mentors, and partners.  

Since launching MAPP, the organization has generated tremendous impact honoring women and people of color through recognition and opportunities with media and food & beverage titans including Oprah Magazine, PBS, The James Beard Foundation, Food & Wine, and Harvard.  

MAPP helps women advance in their careers through 1-on-1 mentorship, advocacy for gender and racial equities and policies that support working families (see Joanna James’ and VP Kamala B. Harris’ campaign for Paid Family Leave here), sponsoring pandemic relief grants, and creating opportunities for representation where women and people of color are sorely missed.