Hello, I’m Michelle White, chef and owner of Next Step Soul Food Cafe. Founded in 2016. We are a 34 seat Soul Food Cafe that has been closed since February 2020. I have been determined to reopen because my family and community need it. I am located in the heart of Dorchester, Codman Square, Metro Boston. I am unique. There is nowhere in my area where one can sit and enjoy a quick cup of coffee and delicious Soulfood.
I support my community by buying/spending locally. Making sure we realize we’re all in this together is key. My goal is to feed everyone who asks, regardless of their ability to pay. Like my mom, Mrs. Annie always had enough for an extra seat at the table when I was a kid. My mother is still the official taste tester to authenticate the food we produce. Traditional dishes like fried chicken, potato salad, barbecue chicken, smothered pork chops, collard greens, mac and cheese and sweet potato pie. I could go on because Soulfood is so much more than those dishes I mentioned.
I am also a refuge for the young people in my community, instead of pushing them away. I welcome them. They call me the Soul Food Lady. When they get good grades, I give them a special dinner. I also find time for the elderly in my community. My cafe is a place for our seniors to perch as they go shopping or maybe head to Codman Square Health Centre. I love this community. I have lived and worked in this same area for over 35 years.
During the pandemic, we broke several pieces of equipment and lost hundreds of dollars in food. Somehow we put things together and are now fundraising/open for business. Immediate needs: money for rent and a new ventless oven. This would increase my production by 60%. I’m behind on the rent because it’s too hard to start over, and there are a lot of bills to pay. The start was difficult. Covid hit us hard, and it was up to me to support my family and pay rent every month when I was closed. God helped me because I have much more to give and contribute to my community. Please join me on my Soulfood mission in the heart of Boston.
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