02/24/2025
in 2017 when i got married, my family and the most trusted voices within my brain trust asked that i return to the world of culinary service, and the decision to open in Harlem was made.
I could have chosen anywhere to open this restaurant. Harlem is a calling. It’s evolved into so much more for me personally. It’s shown me the importance of representation, not only for my family and community but more importantly to my industry.
Reverence on 138th St, Strivers Row is and now was an important step.
I’m saddened along with all the people that have walked the journey with us that it’s been necessary to close the restaurant.
In its final week, as in every week, I’ve been reminded and bared witness to the deeper impact that we’ve created with Reverence. Families that found grounding and community in our BentoBox kits during the Pandemic, engagement dinners, business meetings, the NAACP/HelloAlice dinner, our quiet A listers and News Crews that came by to be loved on by us for the brief hours of experiences with us and all of the celebrations - just good food and drink. The activism and hard work within the community with our Pay it Forward program and Community Garden CFUGH. The national work with Aspen Institute, One Fair Wage and Independent Restaurant Coalition. If it mattered, all of it had an impact in all the right ways.
We worked hard to make a difference. For Harlem, for African-American chefs and our families.
The work isn’t over, we’ve just started.
More to follow. Today it’s about rest and gratitude.
