As a patron for the fund, the world’s youngest restaurateur will help champion children’s rights and voices.

December 9, 2020 – WASHINGTON, DC and LONDON – Global Fund for Children (GFC) is thrilled to announce that Omari McQueen, the UK’s youngest award-winning vegan chef, is joining the organization as a Global Ambassador and patron.

Twelve-year-old Omari will champion GFC and its work to empower young people around the world and share his insights as an entrepreneur and youth activist.

“Omari McQueen is an inspiring role model who proves there’s no limit to what young people can accomplish,” said Hayley Roffey, GFC’s Managing Director. “We’re pleased to welcome Omari to Global Fund for Children as our first patron, and we look forward to working together to advance children’s rights, opportunities, and voices.”

Omari’s tasty vegan recipes and commitment to animal welfare have inspired children and adults across the globe. He recently launched his own cooking show on BBC Two and CBBC, a BBC channel for children, and is releasing a cookbook in January 2021. Omari is also the founder and CEO of Dipalicious, a vegan dips and snack company. In 2019, he became the world’s youngest restaurateur when he ran a vegan Caribbean pop-up restaurant for a week with the support of his family.

[image_caption caption=”Vegan chef Omari McQueen in his kitchen. © Leah McQueen” float=””]

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Omari strongly believes in GFC’s mission of partnering with community-based organizations around the world to help children and youth reach their full potential and advance their rights. Earlier this year, he helped promote GFC’s Autumn Auction on Instagram. As a GFC Global Ambassador, Omari is excited to share GFC’s work with new audiences.

“I am happy to be joining GFC because GFC cares about young people like me,” Omari said. “I want everyone to be given the same opportunities and to have an education and live their dreams. We all deserve a chance.”

Omari has been a vegan since the age of 7, when a PETA video inspired him to educate others about veganism and animal welfare. He has been recognized with a TruLittle Entrepreneur Hero Award, a PETA Compassionate Kid Award, and a Proud and Gifted Award, and he has worked with Meatless Farm, the Original Flava Afro-Caribbean Food Festival, and others.

Omari brings a valuable perspective to GFC’s Global Ambassadors’ Circle, a growing group with a passion for advancing GFC’s mission. Ambassadors actively promote GFC and its partners in their communities and globally, and provide technical and professional advice.

PRESS CONTACTS

Hayley Roffey
Managing Director
hroffey@globalfundforchildren.org
+44 2039 293730

Nina Ford
Director of Communications & Marketing
nford@globalfundforchildren.org
+1 202 869 3854

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ABOUT GLOBAL FUND FOR CHILDREN & GLOBAL FUND FOR CHILDREN UK TRUST

Global Fund for Children partners to build a world where all children and youth enjoy equal resources and opportunities in society and live free from violence, discrimination, and exploitation. To that end, GFC invests in innovative local organizations, helping them deepen their impact and build their capacity for social change. Together, GFC and its partners advance the rights of children and youth facing poverty and injustice and equip them with the tools and skills to reach their full potential. Since 1997, Global Fund for Children has invested $46 million in more than 725 organizations, reaching more than 11 million children and youth worldwide.

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