Alexandria teen turns kitchen into bakery to rise up for racial justice
Iris Nijbroek, 13, spent her entire summer baking goods like cupcakes, cookies, pies and breads. (Iris Nijbroek)
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (ABC7) — An Alexandria teen is rising up against racism in the kitchen.
Iris Nijbroek, 13, spent her entire summer baking goods like cupcakes, cookies, pies and breads.
“The buckeyes are absolutely amazing, a lot of people like to order these along with the key lime pie," Iris said.
Her idea stemmed from a national cause to bake against racism and raise money for racial justice organizations.
So when Iris takes an order for her her famous dark chocolate orange crackle cookies, she asks for donations to organizations like Black Youth Project 100, or Black Girls Code.
“This is the first year I've really started paying attention to the news," said Iris. "This is something that really could use help so I decided to bake for racial justice.”
When she started this summer project, she had no idea how much money she would actually raise.
“I never thought I would raise anything above $1,000," she explained.
So far, she’s raised over $2,000 and has contributed it all to non-profits who fight for equality.
“It’s not like I'm down grading anything else that could use help right now, but this is the big thing and my church does a lot for racial justice.”
She also says she's having healthy conversations with customers about race including new organizations she’s learning and researching about.
Because of the success, Iris says the summer project will now continue well into the school year.
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