BOBABAM, an at-home boba kit that brings the boba shop experience home, announced that it is a founding level donor with Project Potluck, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization run by and for People of Color (POC) to build successful companies and careers in consumer packaged goods (CPG). Project Potluck envisions a future world where the people who purchase, eat and drink are represented on the shelf and by the leadership of the companies they support. BOBABAM’s donation will help Project Potluck provide opportunities to the next generation of BIPOC entrepreneurs and young professionals in their future endeavors.
BOBABAM takes enormous pride that its three founders, over half of its leadership team and almost 75% of the company’s employees self-identify as POC. As a donor of Project Potluck, BOBABAM will help fund and facilitate the connection of members to mentors and promote the growth of diversity, equity and inclusion-minded companies.
“We welcome BOBABAM as a founding level donor for Project Potluck, celebrating their commitment to our cause,” expressed Kathleen Casanova, founding executive director of Project Potluck. "Our organization empowers diverse professionals from all walks of life, and this partnership will further our mission of advancing diversity and inclusion in the industry."
“Project Potluck aligns seamlessly with BOBABAM’s values,“ said Ron Escopete, chief operating officer of BOBABAM. “We’re immensely proud and excited to work with this exceptional team, driving industry change and broadening our community’s influence.”
In addition to the partnership with Project Potluck, BOBABAM announces that longtime strategic advisor and investor Apu Mody will expand his involvement and join the company full-time as CEO. Following BOBABAM’s recent rebrand, the at-home kit has been rapidly expanding distribution as consumers discover the ease of making authentic boba shop quality boba at home. As the former CEO of Lenny & Larry’s, former president of Mars Foods Americas and an active investor and advisor to dozens of startup brands, Mody will use his tenured career knowledge to steer the BOBABAM team to operational and organizational success.
“Apu is a friend and trusted advisor and is recognized as a transformational leader and purpose-driven executive. He brings invaluable experience in scaling and energizing businesses, developing and executing successful strategies and fostering diverse and inclusive workplace cultures,” said Brian Khoddam, co-founder of BOBABAM. “We are thrilled as we have worked with Apu closely over the past few years that he has agreed to take on this critical role as BOBABAM’s next CEO and I look forward to working with him as we continue to bring the BOBABAM magic to life.”
