Jessica Ann Vaughn is a culture and food researcher as well as an actor. She performs, writes, hosts feasts, curates exhibitions, and produces media, all creating communal experiences that expand our understanding of cultural context.
Her current research and travels focus on culinary diaspora and cultural identity. As a fellow at the Museum of Food and Drink (MOFAD), Jessica curated Street Food City, a multisensory, multimedia exhibition about the history of New York City street food vendors.
Starting her career in the corporate world, Jessica was a trend strategist at J. Walter Thompson, where she forecasted macro cultural shifts to advise multinational brands. She also spent time as an all-natural skincare entrepreneur and a real estate operations manager, always bringing to her work her signature organized thinking and eye for design.
Jessica has also been a competitive dancer, a certified yoga instructor, and a child actor, including appearing on Sesame Street and playing Winnie Tibideaux on season 8 of The Cosby Show. She has recently returned to acting, including studies with T. Schreiber Studio and Treasure House Theater.
Jessica has an M.A. in Gastronomy and Food Studies from Boston University and a B.S. in Media, Culture, and Communications from NYU. Her writing has been published in Salon and The Guardian. She lives in Manhattan with a heavily-stocked kitchen and two cuddly cats.
