About
Studio ATAO stands for all together at once, referring to the collective nature of our work, and the importance of all of us in the food, beverage, and hospitality (FBH) industry pushing forward simultaneously. For lasting change, all of us have a part to play in challenging the status quo within the smaller circles of the larger movement.
Our mission is twofold:
To create accessible, relevant resources that inspire socially conscious FBH professionals toward action through publicly available social justice education, vulnerable conversations, and community-building.
To propel FBH decision-makers & leaders to construct long-term changes based on input from and needs of the most affected community members.
We believe that social change happens one relationship at a time. Through our educational platforms, participatory programming, and community-informed research, we empower individuals and organizations to advance systems-based change through a social justice lens and the all-affected principle.
Our vision is to cultivate a food, beverage, and hospitality industry that empowers and nourishes everyone within and around it.
Our core values:
Prioritize Marginalized Voices
We acknowledge the inequities of existing power structures in our society, and commit to bring in diverse perspectives from marginalized communities. We center the voices, ideas, needs, desires of marginalized individuals to create a better future that is accessible for everyone.
Mutual Respect
To us, respect means treating each others’ views, experiences, and contributions as valid and valuable. We expect this to be reciprocated, and will set firm boundaries to protect our team and work when necessary.
Intentionality
We take the necessary time to critically engage with the world around us and dive beyond surface-level explanations. We emphasize systems of care with actionable steps instead of abstract theory.
Open-mindedness
We know our knowledge and individual experiences come with limits and acknowledge there are large amounts of information we do not know. We strive to always expand how we think and commit to learning alongside others.
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Imagination Not Perfection
We believe in challenging the status quo with an open mind for new possibilities. We embrace opportunities to experiment, and offer ourselves the grace to not be perfect in untested new waters.
Rooted in Transparency
Transparency is critical for any relationship to thrive. From pay, taxes, and fundraising sources, to cross-department communications and decision-making, we prioritize openness and candor with all of our team members as well as external partners.
Celebration of Self
We see our work as an extension of personal realities lived everyday and part of the ongoing fight against white supremacy culture. We encourage marginalized people to take up space, embrace opportunities for joy, and connect with their entire range of emotions, expressions, and experiences.
Timeline
2014
I Forgot It’s Wednesday (IFIW) is birthed as a weekly supperclub inside Jenny and Matt’s apartment in New York City.
2018
Wednesdays officially becomes Studio ATAO and receives its 501(c)3 status as a nonprofit arts organization.
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Asian in America debuts at NYC's Museum of Food and Drink, the Studio’s first official event series.
2020
COVID-19 hits, and all of the Studio's events move onto virtual platforms.
As a small silver lining, the team is finally able to find the time and bandwidth to focus on its community initiatives.
2016
IFIW is rebranded as Wednesdays with a more focused mission of prompting deeper dialogue between its guests.
2019
Studio ATAO tours the country with Asian in America.
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