To kick off our monthlong celebration of Literacy Month, we're shining a spotlight on a 2022 Literacy Grant recipient—Dr. Victor Mack and his 100 Ways to Nutritional Literacy program.

The 100 Ways to Nutritional Literacy program aims to increase traditionally marginalized populations by understanding the link between nutrition and health. Mack, with the help of 100 Black Men of Greater Charlotte, plans to achieve this by hosting five cooking classes. Participants will learn how to properly read food labels, utilize the food pyramid, avoid foods with negative health consequences, understand cholesterol, calculate food quantities and more. In addition, the program demonstrates how diet impacts academic performance and promotes a healthy lifestyle for participants.

The program aims to reach 200 middle and high school students in the Charlotte region. Participants will be evaluated based on journal entries, logs and an exciting final program formatted like “MasterChef Junior”.

Mack is the Vice-President for Education for The 100 and serves as the Director of Educational Outreach for the University of North Carolina Charlotte Cato College of Education. The 100’s core value is mentorship with a focus on African American youth, giving these students the opportunity to engage with professionals and resources at a higher learning institution.

The funds from the Literacy Grant will go towards food for cooking classes, aprons and books for 80 participants.

To learn more about the Literacy Grants program or sign up for a reminder for when applications open, click here.