I’ve been an entrepreneur before I even knew what it was. The list is long: I did private mani/pedi parties, I sold candy, pickles, pop and chips out of the trunk of my car, I was a private shopper and “pop up boutique” owner (Little Luckxuries). I was selling clothes on instagram before it was cool (2011).

In 2005, when I was 14, I started G-Bo Day. My first cousin was killed right before Christmas and that sparked a fire in me to start something positive for our community. I would fundraise all over the city and on his birthday I’d feed the community, plan activities and have a bunch of entertainment and events lined up for the day. I did that from 2005-2017.

In 2011, I also started F.O.C.U.S. Focus On Careers & Unique Success, a mentor and shadow program for girls who looked like me.

I could go on and on, but the conclusion is I’ve been at this for a long time now.

In 2009 or 2010, my Uncle Auto bought me an iPad - this was back when “apps” for the iPad were a new, hot thing: “there’s an app for that.”

I had it all figured out. A building would be auctioned off for back taxes and the liquor license would be attached. The place would be called APPS and I would only be selling appetizers: There’s an APP for that…but the building never sold.

I kept the concept, but as I grew, so did the idea, and I wanted it to reflect who I was. Lucky’s was eventually born.

My grandad’s house was run like a fine dining steakhouse; I didn’t know it until I started working in fine dining.

For example: Mr. Howard would get to the door and someone would greet him, another would take his coat and lay it across my grandad’s bed. Another would get him a Pink Panty (family cocktail), another would bring a plate, someone would clear the table and offer some banana pudding. Then my grandad would touch the table.

On any given day, my family would serve at least 40 friends/family members (and that was a light day).

I also love to cook and could always be found in the kitchen with my grandad and aunts. So I saw the shopping, prepping, cooking and cleaning of the house to welcome people.

Oh yeah: My aunt Linda gave me a diary in the 90s. In my diary, I wrote down a menu. So I’ve been wanting this a long time.

I moved to NYC in 2013, with the intention of opening a bar. Every single bar in Pittsburgh serves food, and for the life of me I couldn’t find that combination in Bed-Stuy. Plenty of bars, but many of them didn’t have full kitchens—just ovens, for the most part.

I also wanted a place that you can be dressed up or down and close to home, where you can hear good music, but not be packed in. I wanted the place to be gorgeous, the food fresh and flavorful.

I want people to feel at home. I built LUCKY’S to feel like an extension of my living room and I pray that they feel my warm spirit. I want them to feel my energy.

Catfish Strips. Everything about this dish! The plate that it is served in is just chic. I remember staying up til about 3AM picking glassware, silverware, plates, ramekins.

The catfish comes in a white boat style bowl/plate. Remoulade (house-made) on the bottom. Crispy, tender, light catfish fried in golden oil for just a couple of minutes. The balance on this catfish is the prettiest thing you’ve ever taste.

Garnished with some spices, fresh parsley and lemon wedge…it’s perfect the way it is, but kick it up a notch with some hot sauce.

The goal is to do it again and again and again. In the beginning, it’s about having creative power, making money and proving my middle school wrong, ha!

And then quickly that changes and you find out how humbling this role is. and how honoring it is to build something that people can rely on.

I want to build more concepts and more LUCKY’S locations so I can create opportunities for my community and give people the opportunity to learn and grow alongside of me.

I want people to know that if they go to LUCKY’S in Bed-Stuy, they’ll be met with warm welcomes and amazing cocktails and tapas.