Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance (MFHA)

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Cranston, RI
Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance (MFHA)

Empower restaurant and hospitality leaders to drive industry success through cultural intelligence.

Our Approach
“Build culturally intelligent brands and leaders”

Definition of Cultural Intelligence
Cultural Intelligence (CI) is having the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to effectively
and appropriately engage people from different cultural backgrounds to deliver better
business results. Benefits of Cultural Intelligence
• Increased employee engagement
• Increased innovation and fle

xibility
• Attract better quality talent
• Improved sales and reduced costs at unit level
• Reduced multicultural risk

Whom We Engage
Workforce, Customers, Community and Suppliers, who make up the “Dinner Table of Opportunity”.

06/05/2026

Navigating new regulatory changes can be complex, but ensuring your organization remains both compliant and committed to its core values doesn’t have to be a guessing game.

With the signing of the recent Executive Order, “Addressing DEI Discrimination by Federal Contractors,” corporate leaders and executives are asking critical questions about how to protect their organizational values while navigating sharpened compliance and enforcement mechanisms.

True workplace belonging and cultural intelligence thrive when built on clear, sustainable, and legally sound foundations. Swipe through to see 10 key considerations for executives and legal teams as you assess your programs, protect your workforce culture, and plan for the future.

06/03/2026

On March 26, a new Executive Order, “Addressing DEI Discrimination by Federal Contractors,” was signed. MFHA has been monitoring its potential impact on the hospitality industry.

☑️ Key Takeaway:
The order increases oversight of federal contractors’ nondiscrimination practices, with a stronger focus on enforcing rules around race and ethnicity-based disparate treatment in hiring, promotion, and resource allocation.

🗣 Why It Matters:
As enforcement tightens, leaders are navigating how to uphold their values while staying compliant in a shifting regulatory environment.

🤝 Our Perspective:
We’re actively assessing the implications and will share clear, practical guidance soon to help you move forward with confidence.
More to come.

Stay tuned for further updates.

05/25/2026

The conditions shaping the hospitality industry right now are real, complex, and compounding. From workforce instability to evolving guest expectations, leaders are managing immense pressure—often without a clear roadmap.

At the MFHA, we aren’t just looking at the "what," we’re focused on the "how."

We know the question keeping operators up at night isn't just about compliance—it's: "How do we hold our teams together while we figure this out?"

To move forward with confidence rather than uncertainty, you need the right context. We urge you to watch this essential briefing on demand, featuring Aaron Frazier and Jordan Heiliczer from the National Restaurant Association. They dive deep into the current state of immigration enforcement and what it specifically means for your operations.

While they provide the technical briefing, MFHA is here to help you navigate the human side: building an organizational culture that holds firm even in shifting environments.

Don't navigate these complexities alone. Watch the webinar on demand now and get the clarity your team deserves. https://bit.ly/3Pn5Uhm

05/20/2026

Culture isn’t a trend, it’s a growth strategy.

At the 2026 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show, MFHA Vice President Erika Cospy Carr joined industry leaders for a powerful conversation on how Cultural Intelligence helps restaurant brands strengthen trust, improve ex*****on, and create more meaningful guest experiences in today’s evolving landscape.

🎤 Erika Cospy Carr — Vice President, Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance (MFHA)
🎤 Christopher Kenny — Vice President, Programmatic Marketing & Activations, National Restaurant Association, National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation
🎤 Angela Lagos — Hospitality, Restaurant & Tourism Executive, IO Psychologist, Global Talent Practitioner

The session explored how leaders can turn insight into action using MFHA’s Four Intelligences framework to drive stronger team alignment, guest connection, and long-term brand growth.

05/15/2026

Is your brand speaking the right language? 🗣️📈

Join Erika Cospy Carr, leader of the Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance (MFHA), at the National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show for a game-changing session: "Cultural Intelligence as a Growth Strategy for Modern Restaurant Brands."

In today’s shifting landscape, growth isn’t about doing more—it’s about being more intentional. Erika will dive into why Cultural Intelligence (CQ) is a business imperative, helping you identify blind spots and bridge the gap between brand values and guest expectations.

Don't miss this chance to turn cultural insights into a sustainable competitive advantage!

📅 Monday, May 18
🕑 2:30 PM - 3:15 PM
📍 Room S504ABC

05/13/2026

Two powerhouse voices. One conversation you can't afford to miss.

Join us Monday, May 18 at 2:30 PM for Cultural Intelligence as a Growth Strategy — featuring panelists Angela Lagos, IO Psychologist & Global Talent Executive, and Christopher Kenny, VP at the National Restaurant Association moderated by Erika Cospy Carr.

The workforce is changing. Come find out what that means for your brand. 📍S504ABC

05/12/2026

This , we’re celebrating the incredible discipline, leadership, and diverse perspectives that veterans bring to the hospitality table. 🎖️🍽️

At MFHA, we know that a representative workforce is a strong workforce—and that includes the brave men and women transitioning from military service to the restaurant and foodservice industry.

That’s why we are proud to highlight the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s Military Programs, which bridge the gap between service and the civilian workforce. Through initiatives like Military Hospitality Management training and veteran-specific apprenticeships, the NRAEF is helping service members translate their world-class skills into rewarding hospitality careers.

To all the veterans currently leading in our kitchens, dining rooms, and corporate offices: Thank you for your service and for making our industry more vibrant and inclusive.

04/22/2026

Happy Earth Day! 🌍

From the ingredients we source to the communities we serve, our industry has a unique power to protect the planet while honoring the traditions that sustain us. A sustainable future isn't just about reducing waste—it’s about creating an ecosystem where local farmers, diverse suppliers, and hospitality workers can all thrive.

Looking to go green this Earth Day? Here are a few quick wins for your restaurant or hospitality business:

♻️ Utensils by Request: Default to "no plasticware" for delivery orders to cut waste instantly.
🤝 Donate Surplus: Partner with a local food rescue to keep high-quality, unserved prep out of landfills.
🔌 Power Down: Train your team to kill the lights and burners the second they aren’t in use.

Let’s continue to build a table that’s not only inclusive but also built to last for generations to come.

04/16/2026

Don’t miss Erika Cospy Carr at the National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show! 🎤🍽️

Is your brand truly connecting with today’s shifting guest expectations? Join Erika Cospy Carr, leader of the Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance (MFHA), for a high-impact session on Monday, May 18, at 2:30 PM.

Erika will be diving into "Cultural Intelligence as a Growth Strategy for Modern Restaurant Brands." Moving beyond a single dimension, she’ll reframe culture as context—helping you identify growth opportunities you might be missing and gaps in brand trust.

If you want to drive sustainable growth and improve ex*****on without adding unnecessary complexity, this is the session for you! Learn more here:https://bit.ly/4m09Hxf

04/05/2026

Happy Easter to our incredible hospitality community! 🐣🌸

Today, we join our friends, colleagues, and partners in celebrating a season of renewal, hope, and new beginnings. In our industry, holidays like Easter are a vibrant reminder of how food and service bring people together.

At the heart of hospitality is the spirit of welcome, and today we celebrate the many cultures and traditions that make our "industry table" so rich.

Wishing you a joyful, peaceful, and delicious Easter Sunday! ✨🌷

Address

1144 Narragansett Boulevard
Cranston, RI
02905

Website

http://www.mfha.net/

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