g4tp story
Grillin’ For The People (G4TP) is a barbecue and community service provider in Leimert Park, created and run by Devon Hamilton, that centers health, community, and resiliency at the core of its work. G4TP was created as a community gathering space during Devon’s time at the University of Wisconsin Madison, where the small student of color population often sought comfortable spaces to hang, organize, and heal in. What began with a small grill hidden in his dorm closet, quickly grew into the frequent free backyard cookouts he became known for. In short time, the name Grillin’ for the People was given, and this on-going journey began.
10 years later, and after many years of travel and work in the food justice, sustainable agriculture, and youth education fields, G4TP continues to evolve and create space to help build and support community through food. The work G4TP is committed to is deeply intentional, and rooted in the spirit of Sankofa, which uses the past to guide us through the present and future. Our relationship with land and food as Black people across the Americas is complex and equally necessary to unpack and understand. G4TP is committed to this journey through barbecue and conversation, as well as a shared vision for true community resiliency and unfettered joy for our/all people. We offer catering and pop-up food services, as well as workshops, classes, and presentations on a range of topics.
Thank you for being a part of this journey, and join us in all that’s soon to come! Feel free to read more below about the work G4TP, Devon, and our friends/collaborators have been committed to.
g4tp in the news
Behind g4tp
DEVON HAMILTON
Education & Certificates
University of Wisconsin Madison, BS Landscape Studies, Environmental Studies Certificate, Class of '17
UC Extension Master Gardener, issued May 2015
Peking University Beijing, Feng-shui and Chinese Culture/Design, study abroad 2013
Projects
TradeRoots Culinary Collective, Madison WI - Apr '18 - Oct '20
Urban Farm Capstone, Dept. of Landscape Architecture and Neighborhood Food Solutions - Sept '16 - May '17
Centro Hispano Natural Playground, Centro Hispano Collaboration - Jul '16 - Aug '16
Our Madison Through My Senses Community Cookbook, Badger Rock Community Center - May '16
Honors & Awards
Live Forward Award, Sustain Dane - Oct '18
Campus Legacy Award, Multicultural Student Center - May '17
Marion McCammond Award, WI Union - Apr '17
Meyerhoff Excellence Award, Center for Leadership and Involvement - Mar '17
Backyard Hero, Community Shares WI - Sept '16
Outstanding Public Service, Dept. of Landscape Architecture - Apr '16
National Campus Leadership Excellence, Lambda Theta Phi - Jun '14
Fellow, Young People For (YP4) - May '13
Posse Scholarship, Posse Foundation - Dec '10
Speaking Experience
"The Continuum of POC Leadership: How to Spark without Burning Out" - National Good Food Network Conference, New Orleans LA, March 2020
"You Ain't Got the Answers: Community Driven Solutions and Non-Performative Allyship" - YWCA Racial Justice Summit, Madison WI, October 2019
"Youth Empowerment Through Social Justice & Food" - Hunger & Health Summit, Dells WI, March 2019
"Youth Education in the Food System" - Tri-State Local Food Summit, Sinsinawa WI, February 2018
Professional Experience
Sous Chef, Beach & Brew, Venice CA - Aug '21 - Present
Sous Chef, Neighbor, Venice CA - Oct '20 - Aug '21
Vice Chair, Mellowhood Foundation Board of Directors, Madison WI - Jan '17 - Sept '21
Executive Associate, Community Services Unlimited, Los Angeles CA - Jul '19 - Aug '20
Associate Policy Director, Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, Madison WI - Sept '16 - Jun '19
Organization Council Member, & Vice-Chair of Diversity Committee, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, WI/DC - Jan '18 - Jun '19
Volunteer Teacher, Badger Rock Middle School, Madison WI - Oct '17 - Jun '18
Board Member, REAP Food Group, Madison WI - Jul '17 - May '19
Youth Teaching Artist, Madison Public Library Bubbler, Madison WI - Sept '16 - May '19
Youth Instructor, UW Madison PEOPLE Program, Madison WI - Jun '15 - Jul '18
Grassroots Leadership Development Program Assistant, UW Extension, Madison WI - Jun '15 - Sept. '16
