About Kindred Voices

I started Kindred Voices with a simple objective: to showcase the stories of the Kindred community.

This initiative has grown into a defining part of Kindred’s message, a photojournalism project celebrating our participants, their families, and the impact the non-profit has made on their lives.

Emma with Kindred Participant, Shanell

When I first met Nigel, Kindred’s co-founder, we bonded over the demands of production-level baking: finesse, repetition, and discipline. By chance, we were seated at the same table during a PennPAC (Penn Pro Bono Alumni Consulting) event. As a former professional bread baker, I was immediately drawn to Kindred Bakery’s mission of inclusion through baking. Nigel’s conviction and his personal story as the father of a non-verbal autistic man deeply resonated with me.

While I knew I wanted to get involved I wasn’t sure how (I’ve long since traded baking in Philadelphia for management consulting in New York). Drawing on my interest in writing and my partner Adam Nemcsek’s passion for photography, I pitched a Humans of New York–inspired series highlighting the voices of Kindred’s participants and their families. Nigel immediately went for it, seeing it as an opportunity to not only humanize the work of the organization but give a voice to those who have been historically marginalized.

Emma with Naim. Dad of Kindred participant, Raphael.

Along the way I’ve met remarkable people who have been deeply touched by the community Nigel and Qiana have built with Kindred.

It’s inspiring to witness the impact Kindred makes: parents who once couldn’t imagine their child working independently now see them thriving, confident, and valued members of a team.

Through Kindred Voices, we’ve shared stories like, Makaio who’s found joy and focus baking, Charlotte whose confidence blossomed this summer at the Kindred’s Pop Up @ the Brooklyn Children’s Museum and Shannel, whose growing independence makes her mom proud. Each story shows what inclusion looks like in practice, and why it matters. I hope these stories move you as much as they’ve moved me.

C. Emma Moore is a volunteer supporting Kindred’s marketing and member outreach, and she launched Kindred Voices to share the stories of program participants and their families.

Support Kindred Bakery BK

Kindred Voices is an ongoing series that celebrates the people at the heart of our community. As Kindred continues to grow across New York City, your support ensures these voices are heard.

Donate today to help us open more doors, train more young people, and keep our inclusive kitchen thriving.