Grants & Scholarships
Since our scholarship and grant program began eight years ago, we have awarded more than $160,000 to women across the state pursuing a wide variety of food and culinary-related careers.
2023 Entrepreneur Grant Winners
Sophie Burge Dolan
Sophie Dolan Nutrition
Sophie Dolan is a registered dietitian nutritionist, born and raised in Birmingham. She went to undergraduate at Auburn and did her Dietetic internship at UAB. She completed her MS in Nutrition Sciences at UAB as well.
She worked clinically for the past eight years and just recently moved back to Birmingham and started her own private practice, Sophie Dolan Nutrition.
Sophie Dolan Nutrition specializes in gastrointestinal disorders and weight management concerns for Pediatrics and adults.
She currently provides one-on- one nutrition counseling and education.
Sarah Cole
Abadir's LLC
Sarah Cole is a chef and good-food advocate. The Alabama Black Belt native is the owner and creative force behind Abadir’s, a purpose-driven eatery celebrating Cole’s half-Egyptian, half-Southern heritage and her passion for feeding people good food.
Established in Greensboro in September 2020, Abadir’s quickly gained attention for its food, flavors and down-to-earth style, earning recognition in national publications such as Garden & Gun, Cherry Bombe, Gravy by the Southern Foodways Alliance, Taste of the South and more. The small, minority- woman-owned business has also been featured on Alabama Public Television’s Monograph series as well as the Rachael Ray Show.
Cole created Abadir’s as a dedication to her native region and is currently in the process of establishing a collaborative “good food space” in downtown Greensboro where Abadir’s will offer more regular hours for its community all while creating engaging and educational food-based programs with regional and national chefs and educators.
The business is also working to expand their creative reach through house-made items like spice blends and cake mixes.
In addition to Abadir’s, Sarah runs Black Belt Food Project, a 501c3 nonprofit focused on food access and food education.
Ama Shambulia
A Beautiful Life Enterprises, LLC
Chef Ama ‘Ifabagmila’ Shambulia is a native Angelean (Los Angeles, California) where her love of cooking and gardening was nurtured in her “Granny’s’ kitchen” and beautiful backyard flower gardens.
She has lived in Birmingham for more than 30 years, Is owner and operator of A Beautiful Life Enterprises LLC. and has a passion for sharing whole-food plant-based nutrition.
Committed to holistic life principles over an expansive career as a natural foods chef, wellBEing coach, biodynamic gardener and “herban” homesteader, she has combined these passions to become an educator and advocate for wellness in Birmingham communities and beyond.
Titania Adams
HoneyPop Poppin Gourmet Popcorn
Dr. Titania Adams is a long-time entrepreneur and product-management maven.
Her latest venture, HoneyPop Poppin Gourmet Popcorn located in Montgomery, is a gourmet popcorn and sweet treat experience that you didn’t know you were pursuing.
HoneyPop Poppin's ever-expanding flavor recipes and products mean that whether you are looking for gourmet popcorn, sweet treats, party favors, snacks, or popcorn-related products, HoneyPop Poppin Gourmet Popcorn is the answer.
Dr. Adams is on a mission to create and support others in building masterpieces beginning with a blank canvas.
Vasilisa Strelnikova
Cake Honeys
Vasilisa Strelnikova relocated to Birmingham from Ukraine. She had always loved baking but never had enough time for her hobby and never thought that someday it would become her business.
She started baking here in Birmingham because she wanted to share something she loves with her new friends. Also, it was very comforting to do something that brings her so much joy.
Now her honey cake is known and loved by so many people.
She says, “I can’t express how happy I am to know that what I do makes other people’s lives a little sweeter!”
