Josiah Lessie and educator Ms. Katherine Marte are showing the world what students are capable of. A student at Brooklyn’s P77K school, Josiah captured the spotlight as one of the winners of the inaugural Nourishing Narratives youth mobile film competition—a milestone made possible by P77K educators and the nonprofit Green Bronx Machine’s support. Like Paul Newman, Josiah is a salad dressing entrepreneur, crafting fresh basil salad dressing with herbs grown in the school’s hydroponics lab. We’re proud to honor Josiah and Ms. Katherine as our Newmanitarians® of the Month!
In his 2025 winning film, Josiah shares how discovering hydroponics through P77K’s Farmer’s Market program opened a new way to connect with food justice. As a student with autism, Josiah used assistive technology to narrate the film—empowering him to tell his story in a way that felt authentic and comfortable.
Katherine met Josiah in 2019, in just her second year of teaching after the New York City Teaching Collaborative program. “From the moment we met I knew he was very special—like all the students at 77K,” Katherine shared. “Josiah worked so hard, and to see him recognized like this is so inspiring and rewarding for all of us.”
Watch Josiah’s winning short film
What is your “Recipe for Change”?
Josiah: Making sure everyone, even if they don’t have a lot of money, gets to have fresh foods.
Ms. Katherine: Equity, inclusion and lots of empathy. The world isn’t always a gentle and fair place. I just hope that one day, this world sees my students for their beautiful minds and they feel safe enough to be themselves.
Josiah making his fresh basil salad dressing. Photo courtesy of Josiah Lessie.
Paul Newman was an actor, race car driver, activist, and a salad dressing philanthropist. In the spirit of Paul Newman, how are you “raising a little hell” in your community?
Ms. Katherine: I’d like to say that I do that by challenging the idea that my students are not ready for the world. In fact, I’d say that the world is not ready for them and their potential. Moments like Josiah winning the Nourishing Narratives film contest is only the beginning and I’m going to continue to advocate for students like Josiah and reminding people that they are valued and important just the way they are.
What brings you joy in your work?
Josiah: When someone tells me they purchased my salad dressing at our school’s Farmers Market and how good it is on food. And when I walk around my school, people tell me how proud they are.
Ms. Katherine: Seeing how excited my students get when they’re learning new things in the classroom or when we’re given opportunities to collaborate with our community. No matter how big or small the moment is for me, sometimes it’s life changing for them and it’s always so nice to see the joy in their faces.
What is an insight that has stuck with you?
Ms. Katherine: No matter how old you are or what you’re doing, you never stop being a student. Growth and learning is a lifelong mindset for me.
Photo courtesy of Katherine Marte.
How can people support your work?
Josiah: People can support me by planting more fruits and vegetables to give to other people. I also want people to support the Farmers Market and volunteer at food pantries.
Ms. Katherine: Our goal is to expand our Farmers Market into the community. We want to not only bring fresh foods that were grown with care and love to people, but we want to show them what our students are capable of and show our students that there are endless possibilities for them outside of the classroom too. Stay tuned to the school’s Instagram for updates!
Green Bronx Machine, a Newman’s Own Foundation grantee partner since 2016, has been a huge supporter of P77K’s Farmer’s Market program. Katherine shared that not only has Green Bronx Machine’s support provided Tower Gardens, a STEM Garden, and a chicken coop, but offered students a greater understanding of accessible, fresh food. Green Bronx Machine recently announced a multi-year grant to P77K to develop and launch the first NYC Department of Education Farmers Market.
Green Bronx Machine's Stephen Ritz with Josiah Lessie. Photo by Jane Feldman.
The Nourishing Narratives film competition is back for a second year!
Lights, camera, food justice! Nourishing Narratives invites students to explore Better Food Futures by creating 2-3 minute short films using a mobile device. Winners receive $1,000 and more! Submissions open March 6–April 12, 2026.
