Community Highlights: Meet LaKisha Harris of Soul Filled Catering and Private Chef Services

Today we’d like to introduce you to LaKisha Harris.

Hi LaKisha, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I grew up an obese child, I learned early on to be ashamed of my love for food. I matriculated through school, studied abroad, worked in corporate America, worked for the top neurosurgeon in the state of Michigan- only to find my life unfulfilled.

One day I gave my notice to quit and stepped out on my dream. Not without many tearful days and long nights. I lost my car, my home and. eventually moved back home to pursue my destiny.

I had nowhere to live. I slept on the couches and floors of family members. I know this was what I was supposed to do, but I didn’t know how the dream would come to pass.

After many hours of hard work, doors closed in my face, and more – doors began to open for me.

A local investor gave me the money to start my restaurant. I used this gift as a tool to bless the community. To be to someone else what no one had been to me.

I made a conscious effort to not judge nor diminish. But love on every color, creed, gender and race – filling their bellies and souls at the same time.

Soul Filled is more than a restaurant. It’s a movement. It is philanthropy and community development at the highest level.

Many days I’ve sacrificed .

Many years I’ve gone without, but many lives have been touched.

So that’s what we do. We feed the poor, homeless and widowed. We educate the at risk and socially challenged. We give out hugs, and words of encouragement and a HUMAN TOUCH; that lasts long after the meal is complete.

We have one over 5 awards statewide leading in soul food cuisine, vegan soul food; as well as I currently serve in the advisory board of the Baker College – Culinary Institute of Michigan, Kid’s Food Baket, MUSKEGON YEPS, American Culinary Foundation. I am also the State president of the Black Chefs Association for the state of Michigan.

I have never been trained classically as a chef. I learned to cook by watching my grandmother and mother. I’ve now made my own way and. I bring along others on my journey.

I believe that Soul Filled will be an international brand and I have made a vow to be the good in society; thus, defeating and ending cycles of poverty, racism and segregation.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road has not been smooth. I started my business with $36.19. Every day I just kept waking up and doing my best. Many times, not knowing where the money for gas would come from, or how I was going to feed my own self.

I’ve been ostracized for not being “black enough”, shunned by the very community that I fight so hard for.

In the end, you have to know who you are and what you stand for. The road won’t be easy, but it will be worth it!

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Soul Filled is branching out. Moving from MUSKEGON HTS Mi into downtown MUSKEGON. Until now, an African American female owned culinary business has not been able to break into mainstream downtown MUSKEGON.

We have a new project that will put us in the center of downtown to become a culinary hub for all.

In addition to that we volunteer to feed the community for free twice a week. We visit the homeless and volunteer at the domestic abuse shelters.

We are in the forefront of the culinary development of this city. We now have a cooking show on the MUSKEGON channel, and we are working on a pilot for the food network that will be filmed right in downtown MUSKEGON.

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Determination and hard work. When I want to give up, I remember that the journey is not about me – but those who will come after me.

I don’t take no for an answer, and I keep my circle small. If it’s not about changing the lives of others, I have no interest!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Soul Filled Catering
• Facebook: Soul Filled Catering & Private Chef Services
• Youtube: Cooking with L’Soul
• Other: L’Soul Filled on Facebook