Inside Innovation: Gray Matter Students Explore Ferrara’s Flavor Lab

Lu'Cretia Thomas
Sep 9
2 min read

What happens when young entrepreneurs step into the world of a global candy brand? Our Gray Matter Accelerate students found out during an unforgettable field trip to Ferrara’s headquarters in Chicago, located in the historic Old Post Office building.

Led by former Gray Matter board member and Ferrara Factory Manager, Jeremiah Evans, the day was designed to spark curiosity, show students the power of innovation, and give them a behind-the-scenes look at how one of the world’s leading candy companies dreams up flavors that delight millions of customers.

The visit kicked off with an employee panel where Ferrara team members shared their personal career journeys. From marketing to product development to operations, students got an insider’s view of the diverse paths that exist within a company that thrives on creativity.

One student reflected, “It was cool to get to know where people started and how they got into the food industry. Not too many people think about how candy is made.There are a lot of jobs out there that people don’t think about.” Jaliyah, TGME Student

Moments like these help students see that career paths are rarely linear and that opportunities exist in places they may never have considered before

Adding even more inspiration, the CEO of Ferrara, Marco Capurso, joined the day to speak directly with the students. He shared what makes Ferrara unique, how the company became the leading candy brand, and why innovation continues to drive their success.

“We got to meet the CEO of the company, which was a huge excitement. I didn’t expect that. I’m glad I got this opportunity!” Phineas, TGME Student

Hearing from executives at this level not only affirms the importance of innovation but also helps students understand how leadership decisions shape global impact.

The highlight of the day came when students rolled up their sleeves in Ferrara’s Innovation Lab. Here, creativity met science as they experimented with new flavor combinations and learned about the process of bringing products to life.

Laughter filled the room as students taste-tested their creations, some combinations surprising even themselves. This hands-on activity gave students the chance to imagine themselves not just as consumers, but as creators and problem solvers.

Why These Experiences Matter

Research shows that exposure to career pathways at an early age dramatically increases future employment opportunities and confidence. For our students, many of whom come from communities underrepresented in corporate innovation spaces, this kind of field trip is an invitation to dream bigger, see what’s possible, and recognize their own potential.

“One of the major things that Gray Matter is about is exposing our youth to incredible things that exist beyond what they may already be seeing and knowing that they have access to it and that it’s possible for them.” Oluwatobi TGME Program Coordinator

We are deeply grateful to partners like Ferrara for opening their doors, sharing their time, and investing in the next generation of leaders.