What Turning Tables does

Turning Tables is a New Orleans-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit workforce development organization founded in 2019 by Touré Folkes. The organization provides culturally responsive bartender and hospitality training, mentorship, and externship placements to Black and Brown hospitality professionals seeking careers in the hospitality and spirits industry. Its core product is a cohort-based externship program that places participants in weekly on-location training at partner restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and music venues, supplemented by professional development workshops (Weekend Warrior, Elevation Series) and a network of wraparound support services.

The organization does not operate a technology platform; service delivery is in-person, community-led, and supported by an ecosystem of resource partners providing mental healthcare (WeHelpNOLA), health benefits (Oyster Sunday), safe-bar training (Safe Bars), and consulting (K Allen Consulting). Revenue is generated through three primary streams: tax-deductible donations from a diversified base of foundations and corporate sponsors, branded merchandise sales (t-shirts, tote bags), and brand partnership activations with major spirits companies including Bacardi, Sazerac, Pernod Ricard, Heaven Hill, Tito's, Campari, Teremana, Uncle Nearest, and Whistle Pig. A 2025 limited-edition vinyl record collaboration (In Our Lifetime) with The Numero Group, Sazerac Company, and 375 Park Avenue Spirits directs 100% of proceeds to programming.

Since its 2019 founding, Turning Tables has graduated at least seven cohorts, expanded program presence to Nashville and New York City, and earned national recognition including the 2025 Vinepair Next Wave Award (nonprofit category) and feature coverage in Food & Wine, Condé Nast Traveler, Liquor.com, Essence, and Drinks International. Its go-to-market is community-led: prospective externs apply directly via the organization's website, while partnerships with New Orleans hospitality venues provide externship placements and event-based opportunities such as the annual Cohort Talent Showcase at Bacchanal.

Name

Turning Tables

Legal name

Turning Tables

Website

https://turningtablesnola.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Turning Tables is a New Orleans-based nonprofit founded in 2019 that provides culturally responsive bartender training, mentorship, and externship placements to Black and Brown hospitality professionals, funded by donations, brand partnerships with major spirits companies, and merchandise sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

New Orleans

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: The organization relies primarily on donations from individuals, foundations, and corporate sponsors to fund training materials, participant stipends, paid externships, professional development workshops, workplace training for partner venues, and wraparound services including mental healthcare.
2. Merchandise Sales: Turning Tables sells branded merchandise including t-shirts, tote bags, and vinyl records (In Our Lifetime collaboration with Sazerac). The vinyl record initiative directs 100% of proceeds to support Turning Tables programming.
3. Brand Partnerships: The organization partners with spirit brands for brand activations, teaching classes, curriculum partnerships, and event services. Brand partners include Bacardi, Heaven Hill, Pernod Ricard, Sazerac, Bacardi, Whistle Pig, Uncle Nearest, Teremana, Tito's, Campari, and others who support through collaborations and event partnerships.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Turning Tables delivers a workforce development externship program that trains Black and Brown hospitality professionals through culturally responsive bartender/mixology education, industry mentorship, and weekly on-location externships at New Orleans restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and music venues. Programming is supplemented by branded merchandise sales and a limited-edition vinyl record collaboration, with all proceeds reinvested into training, participant stipends, and wraparound services.

Product overview

Turning Tables is a workforce development nonprofit organization focused on the hospitality industry, operating a single core program—the Externship Program—supplemented by professional development workshops (Weekend Warrior, Elevation Series), merchandise, and the In Our Lifetime vinyl record collaboration. The organization does not operate a technology product but rather provides in-person training, mentorship, and career pathway services for Black and Brown hospitality professionals in New Orleans.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The Turning Tables Externship Program A comprehensive bartender and hospitality training program providing culturally responsive education, mentorship, and weekly on-location externship placements at New Orleans' top restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and music venues for Black and Brown aspiring or rising hospitality professionals. The program is free to participants and is supported by donations, foundations, and brand sponsorships.
• Turning Tables Merchandise (Tote & Tee) Branded merchandise line including tote bags and t-shirts available for purchase through the Turning Tables website and partner platforms (such as Screens for Good) to support the organization's programming.
• In Our Lifetime Vinyl Record A limited-edition double 12-inch vinyl record (45 RPM) blending soul, funk, and salsa, released in collaboration with The Numero Group, 375 Park Avenue Spirits, and Sazerac Company, with exclusive drink recipes. 100% of proceeds support Turning Tables' workforce development programming.

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• New Orleans African American Museum (NOAAM)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2025Tremé After Dark partnership celebrating Black cultural contributions in New Orleans. Both organizations honor and preserve African American heritage while creating pathways to economic empowerment in hospitality.
• The Numero GroupflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Music label collaboration on the In Our Lifetime limited-edition double vinyl record. Blends soul, funk, and salsa with 12 tracks. 100% of proceeds support Turning Tables programming.
• Sazerac CompanyflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Collaboration on In Our Lifetime vinyl record featuring exclusive drink recipes. 100% of proceeds support Turning Tables programming. Brand partner for events and curriculum.
• 375 Park Avenue SpiritscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Collaboration partner on In Our Lifetime vinyl record project supporting Turning Tables programming.
• Joseph LeonardflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025NYC bar where founder Touré Folkes began his hospitality career. Hosted a bar takeover event featuring Turning Tables alumni cocktail programs, celebrating mentorship and the founder's journey from mentee to movement-builder.
• Whistle PigcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBrand partner providing support for events, activations, and curriculum development. Partnered on whiskey-focused programming.
• BacardicoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBrand partner supporting events and programming through activations and curriculum integration.
• Heaven HillcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBrand partner for events and brand ambassador programming.
• Pernod RicardcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGlobal spirits company partner supporting events and brand activations.
• SazeracflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerCore brand partner for events, curriculum, and special projects including vinyl record collaboration.
• Tito's Handmade VodkacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBrand partner supporting events and programming.
• Uncle NearestcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPremium whiskey brand partner for events and brand activations.
• CamparicoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBrand partner for cocktail programming and events.
• TeremanacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTequila brand partner for events and activations.
• Cathead DistillerycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMississippi-based craft distillery partner for rum week curriculum and events.
• WeHelpNOLAflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerResource partner providing free mental health care services to restaurant industry workers. Externs and alumni receive free access to psychotherapy by licensed clinicians.
• K Allen ConsultingcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEducation and management consulting firm providing customized workshops, auditing, strategic planning, and coaching. Helps build internal framework for structural changes.
• Safe BarscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreates safe, equitable hospitality spaces using active bystander intervention, de-escalation, and allyship strategies to stop sexual aggression and gender-based violence.
• Oyster Sunday (OS Benefits)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealth resource provider focused on hospitality industry. Provides externs and alumni with health benefits and discounts on gym memberships through OS Benefits marketplace.
• Glass Half FullminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlass recycling organization supporting sustainability initiatives. Collected over 8,300 pounds of glass during Tales of The Cocktail 2023.
• Hotel ChloecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHospitality venue providing externship placement. Cohort 7 extern Touissant Trahan gaining bartending experience under mentor Tommy Linville.
• Roulaison DistillingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDistillery partner providing externship opportunities in distillation and production. Part of curriculum since rum week inception. Opened career pathway for extern Ty DaSilva.
• BacchanalflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew Orleans venue hosting annual bartender showcase featuring Turning Tables cohort talent. Partnership for talent showcase events and bar service at cultural events.
• The Fox NashvilleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNashville venue hosting Turning Tables bar takeover event as part of Turning Tables on the Road expansion.
• Brown & BalancedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Tales of The Cocktail Sustainability Series events.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Café Momentum: Dallas-based nonprofit restaurant and 12-month paid culinary/hospitality training program for at-risk youth. Operates the same mission-driven workforce-development-in-foodservice model, with a real operating venue providing hands-on externship equivalent to Turning Tables' bar/restaurant placements.
• DC Central Kitchen: Washington DC nonprofit providing culinary job training and meals to individuals facing barriers to employment. Closely parallels Turning Tables' workforce development + social mission structure and uses real operating kitchens as training venues, much as Turning Tables uses partner bars.
• Careers Through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP): National nonprofit preparing underserved high school students for careers in the culinary and hospitality industry through scholarships and training. Comparable in targeting underrepresented youth for hospitality careers, though focused on culinary rather than bartending.
• Tales of the Cocktail Foundation: Nonprofit arm of Tales of the Cocktail dedicated to bartender education, community, and the spirits industry. Direct peer in the bar training and bartender development space and is itself a Turning Tables funder/partner, evidencing shared mission alignment.
• Restaurant Opportunities Centers (ROC) United / One Fair Wage: Restaurant worker advocacy nonprofit focused on equity, wages, and career advancement for women and workers of color in the restaurant industry. Shares Turning Tables' equity-first framing of hospitality careers and is operating in the same donor and policy ecosystem.
• Glide Foundation: San Francisco-based nonprofit running social enterprises including a restaurant and catering operations as job-training platforms for individuals experiencing poverty and homelessness. Same nonprofit-restaurant-as-workforce-development model, providing hands-on externships parallel to Turning Tables.

Broad incumbents

• United States Bartenders' Guild (USBG): Largest professional bartender association in the US, offering education, certification, and community for working bartenders. Overlaps with Turning Tables' bartender training and equity objectives but serves the broader bartender population rather than a targeted underrepresented cohort.
• National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation: Industry-aligned educational nonprofit running ProStart, the largest industry-backed high school culinary/hospitality training program. Overlaps in hospitality workforce development but operates at K-12 scale rather than Turning Tables' targeted adult externship model.
• James Beard Foundation: National culinary nonprofit promoting chef standards, education, and equity across the restaurant industry. Operates broader industry-impact and education programs with overlapping equity-and-hospitality framing, though it is an industry body rather than a direct training provider.

Emerging players

• Hot Bread Kitchen: Workforce development nonprofit historically focused on training immigrant women and people of color for careers in the food industry. Comparable mission targeting underrepresented communities in food/hospitality careers, though more culinary than beverage.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/turningtablesnola
• Facebookfacebook.com/turningtablesnola
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/turning-tables-nola

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Turning Tables