Haile Thomas

Haile Thomas
Born (2000-12-23) December 23, 2000 (age 24)[1]
Dallas, TX
NationalityAmerican
Occupation(s)Health Activist
Vegan Chef
Motivational speaker
Founder/CEO The HAPPY Organization
Years active6
OrganizationThe HAPPY Organization
Known forHealth Activism
Websitehailevthomas.com

Haile Thomas (born December 23, 2000) is a Jamaican-American[2] international speaker, youth health activist, vegan food and lifestyle influencer, the youngest Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach in the United States, and the founder/CEO of the nonprofit HAPPY (Healthy Active Positive Purposeful Youth)

Background and education

Thomas, whose parents immigrated from Jamaica,[2] was inspired to cook by her mother, who taught her how to cook at the age of five.[3] Thomas began exploring healthier cooking with her family when her father was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 2008.[4] In 2009, she started a YouTube channel, Kids Can Cook, with her four-year-old sister Nia.[5]

Thomas attended St. Gregory College Preparatory School,[2] but was later homeschooled.[6] She is the youngest graduate from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, trained as a certified integrative nutrition health coach.[7] In September 2016, Thomas moved with her family from Arizona to New York in order to expand her business.[8]

Health advocacy

In 2012, Thomas created one of the winning entries - a salad of quinoa, black beans, and corn - in the first White House Kids' State Dinner, hosted by Michelle Obama as part of her Let's Move! campaign.[9][10] Thomas introduced the First Lady at the 2013 Kids' State Dinner,[11] and also joined her at the 2013 State of the Union Address.[12]

In 2013, Thomas founded The HAPPY Organization, to bring nutrition education to youth through cooking classes, summer camps, and in-school programs.[4][13]

In 2015, Thomas began employment at the Canyon Ranch Institute as a nutrition science assistant.[6]

In 2016, Thomas partnered with the non-profit organization Harlem Grown to provide education in urban farming, sustainability, and nutrition.[8]

In 2017, Thomas graduated as the youngest Integrative Nutrition Health Coach from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition.

Thomas has served on the youth advisory boards for Alliance for a Healthier Generation[14] and ChopChopKids,[15] and as a Junior Chef Advisor for Hyatt Hotels.[16][17]

Thomas has given talks for TEDx,[18] Deepak Chopra's Sages and Scientists Symposium,[19] The Clinton Foundation's Health Matters Conference,[20] Partnership for a Healthier America Summit,[12] and the YWCA Women's Leadership Conference.[21]

Media appearances

Thomas has appeared on The Today Show,[4] Rachael Ray's Kids Cook-Off,[22] and The Dr. Oz Show.[23] She has been featured in Fortune,[24][8] O, The Oprah Magazine,[5] Teen Vogue,[25] and YES! Magazine.[26]

Publications

  • Nancy Mehagian; Haile Thomas (December 25, 2013). The Supernatural Kids Cookbook - Haile's Favorites. Huqua Press. ISBN 9780983812067.

References

  1. ^ Thomas, Haile (December 23, 2015). "#MorningMotto: YAY! It's my birthday! 15 never felt this good!". Twitter. Retrieved July 25, 2016.
  2. ^ a b c Kimble, Megan (September 2013). "Kids Can Cook - 12-year-old Haile Thomas is getting kids in the kitchen and health on their minds". Edible Baja Arizona. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
  3. ^ Anderson, Jessica Cumberbatch (September 7, 2013). "Haile Thomas, 12-Year-Old Chef, 'Rachael vs. Guy: Kids Cook-Off' Contestant, At Sunday Dinner". Huffington Post. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
  4. ^ a b c "Meet 15-year-old Haile Thomas, who's out to change the way kids eat". TODAY. April 5, 2016. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
  5. ^ a b "This Seventh-Grade Chef Will Leave You Inspired". Oprah.com. June 2014. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
  6. ^ a b "Haile Thomas". Canyon Ranch Institute. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
  7. ^ "M.A.D. Girls". BET. April 26, 2016. Archived from the original on April 4, 2016. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
  8. ^ a b c Marinova, Polina (October 28, 2016). "How This 15-Year-Old Entrepreneur Balances School, Business and a Social Life". Fortune. Retrieved October 29, 2016.
  9. ^ Anderson, Stacy A. (August 20, 2012). "First lady hosts kids at lunchtime 'state dinner'". AP News. Associated Press. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
  10. ^ "Quinoa, Black Bean, and Corn Salad". Let's Move. August 17, 2012. Archived from the original on August 6, 2016. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
  11. ^ Miterko, Kelly (March 5, 2014). "Calling All Young Chefs: The 2014 Healthy Lunchtime Challenge is Here". Let's Move. Archived from the original on August 6, 2016. Retrieved July 25, 2016.
  12. ^ a b Gibson, Emily (February 14, 2013). "Haile Thomas Joins First Lady at the 2013 State of the Union Address". Let's Move. Archived from the original on August 6, 2016. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
  13. ^ "Getting Healthy With Haile". The Chocolate Voice. May 19, 2016. Retrieved July 25, 2016.
  14. ^ "Haile Thomas - Tucson, Arizona". Alliance for a Healthier Generation. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
  15. ^ "Advisory Boards". ChopChop. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
  16. ^ Derico, Tamesha (March 17, 2016). "Haile Thomas is the teen who's tackling the obesity crisis". Blavity. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
  17. ^ "Chef Haile". For Kids By Kids. Hyatt Corporation. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
  18. ^ "TEDxKids@BC - Haile Thomas - A Gourmet Chef in Every Child". TEDx. February 6, 2012. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
  19. ^ "You Are Invited to Sages and Scientists 2013". The Chopra Center. 2013. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
  20. ^ "2013 Clinton Health Matters Conference". Clinton Foundation. 2013. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
  21. ^ Herreras, Mari (September 5, 2013). "New Direction: Seven months into the job, the new YWCA director has a vision to create space for community". Tucson Weekly. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
  22. ^ "Casting:Haile Thomas". Food Network. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
  23. ^ "A 7-Year-Old Girl Reverses Her Father's Diabetes by Changing His Diet". The Dr. Oz Show. October 2, 2014. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
  24. ^ Marinova, Polina (September 15, 2016). "18 Under 18: Meet the Young Innovators Who Are Changing the World". Fortune. Retrieved September 16, 2016.
  25. ^ Dreisbach, Shaun (September 19, 2014). "Generation Foodie: How Teens Are Taking Over the Gourmet Game". Teen Vogue. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
  26. ^ Miles Schneiderman; Peter D'Auria (March 10, 2015). "3 Rad Vegan Chefs Share Their Inspiration (and Recipes!)". YES! Magazine. Retrieved July 24, 2016.