Shayvell Conner

Dishing Up Determination

Shayvell Conner fell in love with cooking at the age of 5. As the only child of a single mother who worked relentlessly to provide for him, Conner echoed that same persistent mindset, determination and confidence. Ultimately, this foundation would shape his drive to become a chef.

The Cleveland native graduated from Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C®) in 2019 with an Associate of Applied Business and a Certificate of Proficiency. He has perfected the art of taking life's lemons and creating homemade lemonade. This resolve has helped him earn culinarian awards, medals, diplomas and degrees through the American Culinary Federation, EDWINS Leadership & Restaurant Institute, Tri-C and Kent State University, graduating Magna Cum Laude. His ambition has carried him to heights further than he ever imagined but has rightfully earned.

Conner has demonstrated cooking on Fox 8 News, CBS 19 News and The Steve Harvey Show. He has also discussed his love of cooking with CNN Heroes, in HuffPost and in EDWINS’ newsletter. Defined by his strong-willed and genuine character, Conner always had a knack for standing out, but he has still made time to give back and motivate those whose circumstances have hindered their efforts at success. Since joining the Black American Council and graduating with honors from Tri-C, Conner has been inducted into the prestigious Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society, the Society for Collegiate Leadership and Achievement, the National Society of Leadership and Success, and the Male Empowerment Network. He has earned numerous dean's list accolades and is a member of many honors programs.

Nonprofit organizations — including Shoulder to Shoulder, Soup 4 the Soul, Towards Employment, the Mid-East Honors Association and North Central State College — allowed him to display his altruism. This path has generated thousands of smiles, countless ovations and a lifetime of memories. His motto, "dedication, determination and discipline," comes from setting an example for those who were told their goals were unachievable.

His goal was to become a chef, which he masterfully earned.

Certified Chef de Cuisine, Conner's commitment started with a dream.