Judy Wicks
Owner/founder
White Dog Cafe www.whitedog.com
3420 Sansom St. Philadelphia, PA 19104
215-386-9224, ext. 101
judy@whitedog.com
Judy Wicks is owner and founder of Philadelphia’s 25-year-old White Dog Cafe, and is a national leader in the local, living economies movement. She is co-founder of the nationwide Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE), and founder of the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia (SBN). She is also president of White Dog Community Enterprises, a non-profit 501c3 dedicated to building a local living economy in the Philadelphia region.
Judy has won numerous awards, including the James Beard Foundation’s Humanitarian of the Year in 2005, and the Philadelphia Sustainability Awards Life Time Achievement in 2007. Other accolades include Oprah Magazine’s “5 Amazingly Gifted and Giving Food Professionals,” and Inc. Magazine's 25 favorite entrepreneurs. Judy co-authored The White Dog Cafe Cookbook: Multicultural Recipes and Tales of Adventure from Philadelphia’s Revolutionary Restaurant, and is currently working on a book about her business and the local living economy movement to be published by Chelsea Green.
With a four-part mission of serving customers, community, employees, and the natural environment, the White Dog Cafe has created numerous educational and community-building programs which focus on topics such as economic & social justice, environmental protection, peace & non-violence, drug policy reform and community arts. Through “Table for Six Billion, Please!” the international “sister restaurant” project Judy began in 1986, she has organized trips to Nicaragua, Cuba, Mexico, the Netherlands, Lithuania, Vietnam, and Israel / Palestine in order to understand the effects of US policy. A local sister restaurant program promotes minority-owned restaurants in Philadelphia and Camden. In 1992, Judy began the White Dog mentoring program, which introduces inner-city high school students to the restaurant business through internships at the Cafe. Her adjacent gift store, the Black Cat, founded in 1989, features local and fair trade crafts. White Dog Enterprises, which includes White Dog Cafe and Black Cat, employs over 100 people and grosses approximately $5 million annually, demonstrating the concept of “doing well by doing good.”
The Cafe sources all produce in season from local organic family farms. All meat and poultry is humanely raised, and fish and seafood are sourced from sustainable fisheries. One hundred percent of electricity is purchased from wind power sources, the first business in Pennsylvania to do so. Entry-level employees make a minimum “living wage” of $9/hour. Twenty percent of profits are contributed to White Dog Community Enterprises and other non-profits. Community Enterprise projects have included Fair Food, which connects local family farms with urban markets, and SBN, which was spun off in 2006.
Judy has appeared on Nightline, MacNeil/Lehrer Newshour, CNN, and numerous local TV and radio shows. She and the Cafe have been featured in Oprah Magazine, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, U.S. News & World Report, Fortune Small Business, Washington Post, Whole Earth Magazine, Utne Reader, Yes Magazine, Fast Company, Healthy Living Magazine, Business Ethics Magazine, Ms. Magazine, Chronicle of Philanthropy, Chronicle of Higher Education, Resurgence Magazine, Hope Magazine, Sojourner Magazine, In Business, Orion Magazine, The Other Side, Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Magazine and the Philadelphia Business Journal. Judy’s business career is featured in several books including Making a Life, Making a Living: Reclaiming Your Purpose and Passion in Business and Life by Mark Albion, Good News for a Chance: How Everyday People Are Helping the Planet by David Suzuki and Holly Dressel, and Aiming Higher: 25 Stories of How Companies Prosper by Combining Sound Management and Social Vision by David Bollier.
Judy was co-founder of the Free People's Store, now called Urban Outfitters, in 1970, and general manager and co-proprietor of Restaurant LaTerrasse from 1974 to 1984.
She was also co-founder and President of Synapse, Inc. a non-profit publishing company, and editor and art director of its publications, the Whole City Catalog in 1972 and 1974, and the Philadelphia Resource Guide in 1982.
Awards: (national awards in bold)
George Bailey Award for community investment from The Reinvestment Fund, 2007
Philadelphia Sustainability Awards, Life Time Achievement, 2007
New Prophetic Voice Award, Shalom Center, 2006
Philadelphia Student Union “Living the Change We Wish to See” Award, 2005
PA Resources Council Business Award, 2005
James Beard Foundation Humanitarian of the Year Award, 2005
Spirit of Philadelphia Award in Honor of W. Thatcher Longstreth, Philadelphia Cares, 2005
Althea Gibson Community Award, 2005
Breastfeeding-Friendly Business Award, Maternity Care Coalition, 2004
First annual Interdependence Award, Democracy Collaborative, 2004
Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA) Business Leadership Award, 2004
Arts & Community Award, InterAct Theatre Company, 2004
Investing for the Common Good Award, Phila Area Coalition for Responsible Investment, 2003
Partnership for the Delaware Estuary Visionary Award, 2003
Living Economy Award, Business Ethics magazine national Business Ethics Awards,’02
Environmental Education Corporate Sponsor Award, Pa Alliance for Environmental Education, ‘02
Caring Business Award, Business Leaders for Sensible Priorities, 2002
Champion for Justice Award, Citizens for Consumer Justice, 2002
Wind Powering America Award for 100% wind energy usage, U.S. Department of Energy, 2002
Clean Water Fund Award for Outstanding Environmental Activism, 2000
Green Power Award for Commitment to Sustainable Energy, 2000
Civic Leadership Award, League of Women Voters, 1999
Lifetime Achievement Award, Girl Scouts of America, 1999
Peace Maker Award, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, 1999
Making a Difference for Women Award, Soroptimist International of Philadelphia, 1999
Domestic Partnership Award, US Agency for International Development (USAID), 1998
Brotherhood/Sisterhood Award, Greater Philadelphia Region National Conference, 1998
Pennsylvania's Best 50 Women in Business, Pennsylvania Department of Commerce, 1996
Bread & Roses Community Fund Award for Philanthropy, 1996
Humanitarian Award, Prisoners' Family Welfare Association, 1996
Business Enterprise Trust Award, 1995
American Jewish Congress Award, 1995
Paradigm Award, Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, 1994
Humane Society Award for Humane & Sustainable Food Choices, 1994
Mellon Bank Good Neighbor Award, 1994
Delaware Valley Entrepreneur of the Year for Social Responsibility, Ernst & Young, Merrill Lynch, and Inc. Magazine, 1994 (runner up for the national award)
Distinguished Alumni Award, Lake Erie College, 1994
Women in Leadership Award, Women's Way, 1993
Business Advocate for the Arts, Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, 1993
Philly Hall of Fame, Philadelphia Magazine, 1993
Mother-Friendly Business, UNICEF, 1993
First Prize “Most Perfectly Ridiculous,” Henri David Halloween Ball, 1992
Shining Example Award, PhilaPride, Inc., 1992
Human Rights Award, Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations, 1991
Acknowledgements:
Seventy-five Greatest Living Philadelphians, award by the Philadelphia Eagles, 2007
Leadership, Inc.”Philadelphia’s Top 100 Connectors”, 2006
Oprah Magazine “5 Amazingly Gifted and Giving Food Professionals,” 2005
Inc. Magazine “25 Entrepreneurs We Love,” 2004
Philadelphia Magazine “100 Most Powerful People in Philadelphia,” 2000
American Benefactor “America’s 25 Most Generous Companies,” 1998
Conde Nast Traveler “Top 50 American Restaurants Worth Traveling to See,” 1993
Inc. Magazine “Best Small Companies to Work For,” 1993.
Professional Organizations:
Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE), co-founder/board of directors
Sustainable Business Network of Greater Phila., founder/Emeritus board of directors member (former co-chair)
Social Venture Network, Emeritus Advisory Board member (former Chair and Vice Chair)
Publications:
White Dog Cafe Cookbook: Multicultural Recipes and Tales of Adventure from Philadelphia’s Revolutionary Restaurant, Running Press, 1998, co-authored
Focus on Leadership: Servant-Leadership for the 21st Century, John Wiiley & Sons, 2001, contributing author
Families of Women, Abbeyville Press, 1999, contributing author
Girls Like Us, New World Library Press, 1999, contributing author
Philadelphia Resource Guide, 1982, publisher, editor, art director
Whole City Catalog, two editions, 1973 and 1974, publisher, editor, art director
Featured Speaker Engagements
Northeast Organic Farmers Assn. of Vermont, 2008
Ursinus College, Focus the Nation Climate conference, 2008
Philadelphia Green Skills Conference, PA Horticulture Society, 2008
Bryn Mawr College, Katherine Hepburn Fellow address, 2007
Vermont Alliance for Conservation Voters annual conference, Randolph, VT, 2007
The Power of Green: Building Sustainable Prosperity in Nova Scotia, Halifax, 2007
Syracuse University, “A Conversation with Judy Wicks and Alice Waters,” Syracuse, NY, 2007
Bioneers plenary speaker, San Rafael, CA, 2007
Conference on Peak Oil and Community Solutions, Yellow Springs, Ohio, 2007
A Renaissance of Local, Lyons, Colorado, 2007
Congress on New Urbanism, Philadelphia, 2007
Green Festival, Chicago, 2007, Wash, DC 2004, San Francisco CA 2003 & 2002, Austin, TX 2003
University of Rochester, Pathways to a Sustainable World Conference, Rochester, NY, 2007
Sustainable Lawrence, Rutgers University, New Jersey, 2007
Northeast Organic Farmers Assn. of New York, Syracuse, NY. 2007
StartingBloc Social Enterprise Conference, Sloan School, MIT, 2007; Wharton School,
University of PA, 2006
Morristown Partnership, Morristown, N.J., 2007
Germantown Jewish Center, 2007
Howard Lecture, Delhi, India, 2006
Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE), Berkeley ’07; Burlington ‘06; Vancouver ‘05; Phila ‘04; Portland ‘03
Pa. Renewable Energy and Sustainable Living festival, Kempton, PA, 2005
Genesis Farm and Business alliance of the Ridge and Valley Conference, Blairstown, NJ, 2005
Sustainable Sarasota E-fest, Sarasota, Florida, 2005
Social venture Network, Tarrytown, NY, 2005, Kennebunkport, ME, 2007, New Paltz NY 2002
and San Jose CA 2001
Chester County Fund for Women and Girls, Chester PA 2004
DePauw University, Civic Education Convocation, Indianapolis IN 2004
24th Annual E.F. Schumacher Lectures, Stockbridge MA, 2004
The Land Institute Prairie Festival, Salina KS, 2004
Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation Annual Luncheon, Milwaukee WI 2004
Patch Adams’s Gesunheidt Institute, School for Designing a New Society lecturer, WV 2004
Micro Enterprise Association National Conference, plenary panelist, Philadelphia PA 2004
PA Governor’s Conference for Women, Philadelphia PA 2004
Russell Sage College, Building Business/Building Community luncheon, Troy NY 2004
Cooley Dickenson Hospital, “Lets Talk About It” speaker series, Northampton MA, 2004
COOL Idealist National Conference, plenary speaker, Philadelphia PA 2004
Macalester College Living a Committed Life Conference, St. Paul MN 2004
British Columbia Business Alliance for Local Living Economies, Vancouver BC 2004
NW Business Alliance for Local Living Economies, Seattle WA 2004 (keynote) & 2002
Action Without Borders, Philadelphia PA 2003
Michigan State University Sustainability Conference, East Lansing MI 2003
University of Wisconsin Earth Charter Summit, Oshkosh WI 2003
Maine Business for Social Responsibility, Belfast ME 2003 (Keynote) & 2001
Hope Magazine Conference, Boston MA 2003
Sustainable Hog Farming Summit, Gettysburg PA 2003
Sustainability Forum, Portland OR 2003
Responsible Minnesota Businesses, Minneapolis MN 2003
Copia: The American Center for Food, Wine and the Arts, “Power of Food” Napa CA 2003
Sustainable Business Forum, Eugene OR 2002
Social Venture Institute, Cortes Island BC 2002
Vermont Business for Social Responsibility, South Burlington VT 2002 (Keynote) & 1998
Bioneers, San Francisco CA 2002, 2001 & 1998
International Symposium on Spirituality & Business, Boston, MA 2002 (Keynote), 2000 & 1998
Responsible Business Association of Greater Boston, Boston MA 2001
PA Association for Sustainable Agriculture Conference, State College PA 2001
International Conference on Business and Consciousness, Acapulco Mexico 2000
International Conference on Servant-Leadership, Indianapolis IN 2000
Responsible Wealth Conference, Boston MA 2000
Eastern College Executive MBA program, Philadelphia PA 2000
Chefs Collaborative Conference, Portland OR 1999 & Hyde Park NY 2000
Mexican Solidarity Network, Washington DC 1999
Eastern Academy of Management Conference, Philadelphia PA 1999
International Association of Culinary Professionals, Phoenix AZ 1999
Sustainable Economy International Conference, Havana Cuba 1998
Delaware Valley Association for Directors of Volunteer Programs, Philadelphia PA 1998
Ben & Jerry’s National Franchise Meeting, Key West FL 1998
Visionary Arts Museum Goddess Summit, Baltimore MD 1998
Villanova University Career Week, Villanova PA 1998
Wharton Entrepreneurship Conference, Philadelphia PA 1998
National Associations of Women Business Owners, Philadelphia PA 1998
Women Legislators’ Lobby, Washington DC 1997
Philadelphia’s Promise (Presidential Summit on America’s Future), Philadelphia PA 1997
San Francisco Hospitality Conference, San Francisco 1997
Americorps Conference, Boston and New Orleans 1997
Business for Social Responsibility National Conference, New York NY 1996
Organizational Development Network of Greater New York, New York NY 1996
Pennsylvania Small Business Development Center State Conference, Philadelphia PA 1996
National Society of Fundraising Executives Luncheon, Philadelphia PA 1996
Court Reporters Institute Graduation, Philadelphia PA 1996
Social Venture Institute, Hampshire College MA, 1996
Students for Social Responsibility in Business, Berkeley CA 1995
Harvard University Department of Education Conference, Cambridge MA 1995
American Association of University Women, Philadelphia PA 1995
Leadership, Inc., Philadelphia PA 1995 & 1996
Temple University International Forum, Philadelphia PA 1995
Lake Erie College Honors Convocation Keynote, Painesville OH 1995
Jaycees Young Leaders Award Luncheon, Philadelphia PA 1994
University of Pennsylvania Women's Committee, Philadelphia PA 1994
Wharton Students for Social Responsibility, Philadelphia PA 1994
President Clinton's Small Business Roundtable on Health Care Reform, Washington DC 1994
ARCO Chemical Company Community Service Awards Dinner, Philadelphia PA 1994
