When Family, Food, and Empowerment Collide
If you loved Jo Marie Payton as Harriette Winslow from Family Matters, then you’ll love her even more today. Recently, she shared a glimpse into what she called a “wonderful fun day” spent with the Embrace Girls Foundation and her sweet granddaughter Kamryn — or as she calls her, “Booh grand baby.” This wasn’t just a family outing. It was a celebration of girl power, self-growth, and delicious homemade food, all taking place at the Real Food Academy and sponsored by the Henderson Financial Group.
It was more than just an event. It was a reflection of Jo Marie’s values — strong families, strong communities, and strong women.
Cooking From Scratch: More Than Just a Meal
Jo Marie proudly shared that they made everything from scratch, and yes — they ate every bite too. From the hands-on preparation to the sit-down meal, this wasn’t your average catered event. It was real, raw, and refreshingly simple.
Cooking together creates connection. And on that day, you could feel it — between generations, among new friends, and deep within the purpose of it all.
Who Are the Embrace Girls?
The Embrace Girls Foundation is a nonprofit organization that empowers young girls through education, leadership, and positive role models. They focus on self-respect, confidence, and goal-setting — values that perfectly align with Jo Marie’s own.
Bringing them together with her granddaughter wasn’t a coincidence. It was intentional. It was mentorship, motherhood, and magic all rolled into one.
Grandma Goals: Meet Kamryn, Jo Marie’s Grandbaby
Kamryn, affectionately called “Booh,” stole the show in the most natural way. Whether she was helping stir, tasting the food, or just watching her grandmother shine, the bond was undeniable.
It was clear that Kamryn wasn’t just tagging along — she was part of the legacy being built that day.
Real Food Academy: Where It All Went Down
Based in Florida, the Real Food Academy is known for its hands-on, health-focused cooking experiences. This isn’t fast food. This is fresh food, made with love, and full of life lessons. It’s the perfect setting for a day that was all about doing things the right way — slowly, carefully, together.
A Sponsor That Actually Supports: Henderson Financial Group
The event was sponsored by the Henderson Financial Group, a Black-owned financial planning firm that does more than manage wealth — they help build it. Their support of the event shows what responsible sponsorship looks like. It’s not just writing a check. It’s showing up for the community.
Hyacinth Henderson and Her Message: “It Is You”
Another highlight was the presence of Hyacinth Henderson, who delivered an encouraging message based on her new book It Is You. She spoke directly to the girls — and their mentors — about discovering their power, trusting their intuition, and knowing that success is something you define for yourself.
Her message wasn’t about hype. It was about heart.
Girl Power in the Kitchen: Teamwork, Laughter, and Learning
In the kitchen, roles were shared and support was everywhere. Whether it was someone slicing veggies, another mixing batter, or just cleaning up after each round, every participant had purpose.
This wasn’t a performance. It was an experience. Real people, doing real things, having real conversations.
Why Events Like This Matter
It’s easy to scroll past social posts and think, “That looks nice.” But when you pause to really think about what happened here, it goes deeper.
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Girls saw women in leadership.
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A grandmother passed down knowledge through action.
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A community came together in support.
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A meal became a metaphor for nurturing, sharing, and building something meaningful.
Jo Marie Payton: Still Leading With Love
Jo Marie may no longer be on your TV every Friday night, but she hasn’t stopped being a role model. Instead of stepping out of the spotlight, she’s redirecting it — toward family, food, and female empowerment.
She didn’t just show up that day. She led, she laughed, and she lifted others up.
How You Can Recreate a Day Like This
Inspired? You should be. Here’s how to bring a bit of Jo Marie’s energy into your own world.
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Cook a meal from scratch with someone younger.
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Talk while you prep. Share stories, offer advice, listen.
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Invite other women or girls to join you — no matter the age.
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Read a chapter of a book together, like It Is You.
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End the day with a group meal and gratitude.
Capturing the Moments: Social Posts Worth Saving
From proud smiles and cooking shots to hugs and handwritten recipe cards, the images shared by Jo Marie capture exactly what made the day so special. It wasn’t glamor. It was warmth. And that’s something worth replicating again and again.
The Book to Read: “It Is You” by Hyacinth Henderson
Don’t skip this part. Hyacinth’s book It Is You is getting praise for a reason. It’s equal parts affirmation, self-help, and real talk. If you’ve ever felt unseen, unmotivated, or just unsure — this book is the reset you need.
Conclusion: A Legacy Worth Lifting
Jo Marie Payton’s “girl power day” wasn’t about being famous. It was about being present. From cooking with her granddaughter to inspiring future women leaders, she showed what real influence looks like.
It’s not about having the spotlight. It’s about knowing what to do with it.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Embrace Girls Foundation?
It’s a nonprofit dedicated to empowering young girls through mentoring, leadership training, and educational support.
2. Who is Hyacinth Henderson?
She is a financial advisor, author, and speaker whose latest book It Is You focuses on personal growth and self-empowerment.
3. Where did the event take place?
The cooking event was held at the Real Food Academy, a hands-on culinary school focused on healthy, from-scratch meals.
4. What makes Jo Marie Payton’s role so special?
Beyond being a beloved actress, she uses her platform to inspire young women and build bridges between generations.
5. How can I support or join an event like this?
Follow the Embrace Girls Foundation online or look for local mentorship and empowerment programs in your area.
