Life & Work with Candice Sabiduria of Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Candice Sabiduria.

Hi Candice, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started my modeling career in Atlanta before new opportunities took me to Los Angeles, New York, South Africa, and London. Along the way, I worked with brands I used to pray for like H&M, Fenty Beauty, Hard Rock Cafe, and Nike Jordan, appeared on more than 10 billboards, and was featured in international editorials.
While modeling allowed me to see the world, it also deepened my love for community. No matter where I traveled, food became my way of connecting with people. I found myself cooking for friends, neighbors, and individuals experiencing homelessness, eventually hosting dinners in South Africa and Los Angeles for people navigating harder chapters in life.
People would tell me how much those meals meant to them and how being invited to a thoughtfully prepared four course dinner made them feel valued, welcomed, and seen. That’s when I realized how many people move through the world feeling overlooked and how something as simple as sharing a meal can create a meaningful shift.
That realization inspired me to create To Be Seenn, a nonprofit built on the belief that everyone deserves a seat at the table. Through community-centered food experiences, we serve individuals rebuilding their lives, including survivors of domestic violence, people experiencing homelessness, and those in transition and rehabilitation programs. At its core, To Be Seenn uses food as a tool for dignity, connection, and transformation.
Today, I continue to model while growing To Be Seenn, combining two passions that have shaped my life: storytelling through fashion and creating meaningful community through food.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not. To Be Seenn is still in its first year, and building something from the ground up has been one of the most humbling experiences of my life.
One of the biggest challenges has been the mental shift. I came into this after finding success in another industry, and there’s a learning curve that comes with stepping into a completely different space. As a founder, you’re constantly learning, asking for help, adapting, making mistakes, and figuring things out in real time.
I also underestimated how much work goes into serving others sustainably. The desire to help people is the easy part. Building the systems, partnerships, funding, and infrastructure necessary to create lasting impact is where the real challenge begins. 
There are many obstacles that come with trying to do good work. What has carried me through is a willingness to learn and the belief that the mission is bigger than me and To Be Seenn is worth continuing to build.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I wear a few different hats. Professionally, I’m a model, and I’ve had the opportunity to work some great brands, appear in international campaigns, and build a career that has taken me around the world. I’m also the founder of To Be Seenn, a nonprofit that uses food and community centered experiences to spark dignity, connection, and lasting change for people navigating difficult life chapters.

What I’m known for is bringing people together. Whether I’m serving a look or serving a plate, my goal is the same: to create an experience that makes people feel something. Fashion taught me the power of being seen, and food taught me the power of making others feel seen.

What I’m most proud of is my willingness to keep moving forward despite limitations, expectations, or what others believe is possible. Many of the things I’ve accomplished weren’t the obvious path, but I’ve learned to trust the vision God has and pursue it anyway.

I think what sets me apart is that I genuinely care beyond my own comfort. I’m willing to step into unfamiliar spaces, learn new skills, and do the work required to bring an idea to life if it means creating opportunities and impact for others. At the end of the day, everything I do—whether through modeling or To Be Seenn is rooted in connection, creativity, and service.

What do you like and dislike about the city?
What I love most about this city is its sense of community. People show up for one another, support local businesses, and rally around meaningful causes. As someone whose work is centered around bringing people together through food, I appreciate how food is woven into so many of our shared experiences and celebrations.
I would just encourage more of that deeper appreciation for the community we already have. We often move so quickly that we forget how special it is to gather around a table, share a meal, and connect with one another. Those moments create belonging, and I think they’re worth protecting and investing in.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tobeseenn.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candicesabiduria/