Sunday Suppers’ Founding Board of Directors was formed this year, after receipt of our 501(c)3 status. It is currently comprised of 5 individuals who are dedicated to our mission and desire to grow Sunday Suppers into an organization that can increase the number of communities and individuals we serve, while deepening our program to match the evolving needs of our participants.

Dia Williams Adams, Board Chair

Dia values family and wellbeing, and believes that families are strongest when they work together and care for one another. Dia has more than 20 years experience in the government, healthcare, higher education, and nonprofit sectors.

Sharon Bishop, Treasurer

Sharon is a Sunday Suppers’ Founding Funder, having supported our organization since inception. Sunday Suppers’ mission to teach participants over a period of time is, in Sharon’s view, an organization worthy of financial and nonfinancial contributions. Sharon opened Bishop & Bishop, her own litigation consulting firm, in 2008.

Denisse Guzmán, Secretary

Growing up and working in Philadelphia, Denisse has witnessed the distress families endure to simply make ends meet. Denisse brings over 10 years of HR experience, and believes the Sunday Suppers’ program is a perfect vehicle to help give back and strengthen communities.

Amanda Peguero-Márquez, Vice Chairperson

Working and growing up in a culture that incorporates food into every aspect possible, Amanda believes that food and family go hand-in-hand. Amanda has dedicated 17+ years to nonprofit work in Philadelphia and Bucks County

Monique Curry-Mim

A devoted cooking show follower and a self-proclaimed foodie, Monique believes in the power of food and family meals. Monique has 15+ years experience with nonprofits, and is a Principal & Founder of Civic Capital Consulting.

This past summer, in collaboration with Esperanza Health Center and the Jefferson University Health Design Lab, we implemented a six-week (12 session) family-centered health and nutrition pilot program; Recipe for Health. In addition to more targeted workshops on diabetes, high blood pressure, and emotional health, the number of physical activity sessions increased. Even though this was a compressed program, we again saw the impact we have demonstrated with our Sunday Suppers model – more nutritious dietary behaviors, indicators of improved health. In 2020, we will integrate this model into the new Esperanza Health Center building in the heart of Kensington, which will allow us not only report on behavioral changes, but also assess the degree to which they impact specific diseases, most notably diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity.

Rooted in the mission of Sunday Suppers is the power of food to influence overall health, and to significantly impact health disparities in the communities we serve. Our ancestors knew this and structured their diets to optimize their health. There is growing research in the area of "food as medicine" to better quantify the magnitude of this essential link. Through Recipe for Health we intend to show that the integration of the Sunday Suppers model into community health centers can cut healthcare costs, improve patient outcomes, and give participants greater control over their health and wellbeing.