Founder | Speaker | Advocate
Karis Theophane is not just the founder of Jerk Grill; she is a visionary entrepreneur with a deep commitment to community empowerment. Starting her culinary journey in 2018 by launching Jerk Grill from her mum's kitchen, Karis faced challenges, including the pandemic and the theft of her food truck. However, her resilience and passion propelled Jerk Grill to success. Beyond the culinary realm, Karis is the founder of Karismatic Minds Ltd, a girls' specialist agency aiming to redefine the narrative of leadership through creative expression.
Established in 2016, the agency engages young girls aged 13 and above, fostering esteem, resilience, and confidence through creative interventions. Karismatic Minds believes in unleashing the limitless potential of young women, putting them at the heart of social change.
As a presenter for Fix Up Seminars since October 2015, Karis facilitates motivational and exam readiness workshops in schools across the UK. Her goal is to inspire the next generation to achieve their aspirations. In her role as a Criminal Justice Girls Specialist with the London Borough of Lambeth's Youth Offending Service since August 2011, Karis has been making a lasting impact. She has also served as a Student Engagement Officer, encouraging student engagement within the college environment.
Karis's journey includes roles such as Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Officer with Back Stop Recruitment Agency, where she focused on offender management for high-risk persistent offenders. Her diverse experience also encompasses project coordination at Knights Youth Centre, where she played a crucial role in youth leadership and development.
Her educational background includes a BA Honours in Applied Social Science, Community Development, and Youth Work from Goldsmiths, University of London, where she achieved an upper-class 2:1 grade in 2010. Recipient of the 2024 Uber Eats Black Business Fund, Karis utilized the £10,000 grant not only to expand Jerk Grill but also to invest in her social mission. The new restaurant in Hackney is not just a culinary venture; it symbolizes Karis's dedication to reducing food poverty, social isolation, and providing meaningful employment opportunities. Karis Theophane's story is an inspiring narrative of culinary excellence, community empowerment, and a relentless commitment to positive change.
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LinkedIn: Karis Theophane
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