Purpose in Profit: A Conversation About Food, Justice, and Second Chances

What does it look like when business is driven by purpose — and when justice, opportunity, and profitability go hand in hand?

"Purpose in Profit" is a conversation bringing together Muhammad Abdul-Hadi, a justice-impacted entrepreneur and acclaimed restaurateur whose business model at Down North Pizza in Philadelphia centers on Second Chance Hiring, and Dr. Krystal Redman, a public health strategist and social justice expert working to create fairer systems and stronger communities.

Hosted at Café Momentum Atlanta — a celebrated second-chance employer in Atlanta's restaurant scene — the dialogue will explore Abdul-Hadi's new cookbook-memoir, "We the Pizza: Slangin’ Pies and Savin’ Lives," which tells the story about how Down North fulfills its mission to educate and support the formerly incarcerated while serving dope food. Together, Abdul-Hadi and Redman will unpack what Down North's success teaches us about how purpose-driven businesses can thrive while transforming lives.

Guests can enjoy Café Momentum’s full dinner menu, as well as have the opportunity to order Down North’s award-winning pizza. Please note: food and beverages are available for purchase and not included with event registration.

Signed copies of "We the Pizza" will be available for purchase onsite.

OUR SPEAKERS

• Muhammad Abdul-Hadi is the founder and owner of Down North Pizza, a mission-driven restaurant that exclusively hires formerly incarcerated individuals and serves up pies with a purpose in Philadelphia. His new cookbook-memoir, "We the Pizza," tells the story about how the restaurant fulfills its mission to educate and support people returning from prison while serving dope food, and features over 65 recipes for pizza, wings, and more. Abdul-Hadi has won the James Beard Foundation's leadership award, and he and the Down North team have been featured in the New York Times, The Washington Post, Bon Appetit Magazine, and more.
• Dr. Krystal Redman is a public health strategist, practitioner, organizer, health executive, and speaker whose work bridges medicine, social justice, and public health through a systems approach. Drawing on two decades of experience bridging health and justice, Dr. Redman helps organizations build purpose-driven systems that reduce barriers and expand opportunity for those historically excluded.

HOSTED BY

• The Responsible Business Initiative for Justice is an award-winning international nonprofit that works with a network of 600+ companies to advance criminal justice reform, expand workforce opportunity, and build more prosperous communities.
• Café Momentum is a national nonprofit, founded in Dallas by 2025 James Beard Foundation Humanitarian of the Year, Chad Houser, working to create the space for justice-involved youth to develop and live their full potential. The restaurant goes where it sees potential, with an ever-expanding network of award-winning restaurants and culinary training facilities in major cities that are operated by youth ages 15–19. Youth enrolled in Café Momentum’s program are re-engaged in high school or GED, have access to mental health services, and 24/7 case management so that they can successfully exit the justice system.