A Movement for Restaurant Equity

There are people who run into the fire. Lindsey Brown is one of them. As the Executive Director of the Southern Smoke Foundation, she didn’t come from the kitchen — but she arrived with open eyes, a deep understanding of crisis communication, and a heart tuned to the people who keep restaurants alive. She met her husband, a chef, while working in hospitality PR. Then a call came from a friend — a sommelier recently diagnosed with MS — asking for help. That moment sparked what is now one of the most impactful relief organizations in the food and beverage world.

A Smoke Signal That Ignited a Movement

There are people who run into the fire. Lindsey Brown is one of them. As the Executive Director of the Southern Smoke Foundation, she didn’t come from the kitchen — but she arrived with open eyes, a deep understanding of crisis communication, and a heart tuned to the people who keep restaurants alive. She met her husband, a chef, while working in hospitality PR. Then a call came from a friend — a sommelier recently diagnosed with MS — asking for help. That moment sparked what is now one of the most impactful relief organizations in the food and beverage world.