“My parents had me when they were 16, but my granny raised me. She always told me, ‘Baby, get out there and make something of yourself.’

I’m from a big family. Almost everyone cooked except my mom. She can’t boil water – you can put that in my story. I sat in the kitchen watching Granny knead the dough for chicken and dumplings and licking the bowl after she made cakes. Granny finally told me to stop licking the bowls and start helping. I fell in love with cooking; one day it would pay the bills and give me the family I needed.

I have been with my husband, Darnell, since I was 14. We have one daughter; she had a stroke while I was giving birth to her. The doctors said she wouldn’t walk or talk, but I prayed for her to thrive. Her doctor appointments took time away from my job managing a car lot, and I couldn’t do both. I started a catering business with flexible hours to meet her needs. She is nine and walking and talking perfectly fine.

Darnell and I started started the food truck in February 2021 with a white FedEx truck that we glammed up. I named it Crav N Da Flava because once you try this food, you’ll be craving more. I make soul food like my granny did because it brings people together, heals the sick, and mends broken hearts. Granny passed away two years ago. This truck carries her legacy, so there is no room for failure.

I specialize in soul food, but I cook everything. Our menu changes every time we go out. We may have candy yams, oxtails, collard greens, fried chicken, or mac and cheese. Occasionally I do homemade burgers, but I go extra and add bacon, jam, or pineapple. Burgers become another cuisine.

We serve three days a week. I grocery shop the day before and go to bed early. I get up at 3:00 a.m. to prep and cook because soul food is slow. It takes about four hours to cook a 30-pound pot roast. I want to make sure that they’re not only getting their money’s worth, but they’re getting a wholesome meal.

Granny taught me cooking starts with a clean kitchen and music. How you feel when you’re cooking is how your food comes out. I turn on Betty Wright and Aretha Franklin, and my food fills up with love and energy.

Starting the business was slow. There were days I only had five customers, but I kept praying, and people started coming. I put in the work and hustle. Now we push about 150 plates a day. They cleaned me out last week in Daphne. The smells and empty containers were the only things left.

People are waiting in the parking lot when I pull up. They are customers once; the second time, they’re family. We play music and keep things rocking while they wait. Soul food goes best with the blues and laughter. Good food brings friends and family together. Seeing my food truck family walk away happy is everything to me.

We recently bought a bus to go bigger. From there, we may move to brick-and-mortar, but I don’t want to get lost cooking in the back, away from our customers.

I cook but Darnell and my friend, Troymesha Griffin, keep it running. Troymesha started as a customer who saw the line and asked if I needed help. I told her no, but I told her to get in here the next time she asked . She hopped on and knew what to do. She was meant for me and this truck. She is my right hand because I need my left hand to cook.

Sometimes I look around and think this was once just a white truck we found on Facebook Marketplace, but we are creating something special with our customers. Mobile is a city of love with great cooks and good food. I want to bring the right attention to it.

I grew up on 8th Street in Mobile Terrace. I was the rebellious one in the family. I left home at 14 and had an apartment when I was 15. Some of my family doubted me, and I had to help myself. Now this food truck gives me a chance to help others. I mentor girls who come here for food, but they leave with a little more. Many of them lack love, but I have a lot of love to give. If I drive the food truck and see someone homeless, I pull over and feed them while the food is hot and fresh.

I am for underdogs like me and will do anything to help their light shine through. It’s never too late to change or to start a dream, but you have to get started. The seeds you are sowing today will blossom soon. It can’t rain forever.

I am touching one soul at a time through soul food, just like my Granny did. My mom always tells me she is proud of me. I am passing lessons down from them to my daughter. You can make your dreams a reality through hard work and dedication and care for your community.”

Jalisa