We were lucky to catch up with Aisha Childers recently and have shared our conversation below.

Aisha , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Innovation comes in all shapes, sizes and across all industries, so we’d love to hear about something you’ve done that you feel was particularly innovative.

The most innovative thing I’ve done was created 4 different businesses to collectively work together to build our community, enrich our youth, and create jobs. I established the Let’s Make A Change Enrichment Center (LMAC) to provide quality childcare services to families in need. Through LMAC, we partner with Cleveland Metropolitan School District to provide programming and services for teens and mothers. Our Youth Culinary Program teaches culinary skills as well as provides job readiness training by employing teens who complete the program at Bite Creole Kitchen, the creole cuisine-themed restaurant I opened in 2018.

Making the Change Foundation (MTC), my non-profit organization, provides resources to promote personal and educational success to underprivileged people in Northeast Ohio. Through MTC, I provide housing for young women who are eager to focus on personal and professional development, partner with Bite to host a monthly Feed The Streets food drive for our community, and partner with both LMAC and Bite to host our annual Pop Yo Trunk toy drive around Christmas-time to provide toys, coats, hats, personal care products, and warm meals to those in need.

My newest venture, Create A Space, is a new content studio, business lounge, and coworking space that will provide countless resources and opportunities for professionals and creatives. Each business was established with the intention of supporting the others’ goals and missions. I’m so grateful to have been able to build a network of entities that are able to work together to create positive change in the lives of so many people.

Aisha , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Driven to help those with less access to economic opportunities, Ms. Childers was driven to serve as a resource to help people reach their full potential, despite any obstacles they may face. In 2009, she became the executive director of the Making the Change Foundation and founded Let’s Make a Change, where she currently serves as an executive director. Previously, Ms. Childers worked as a mental health group facilitator at University Hospitals in Cleveland, Ohio, during which time she also received a Bachelor of Arts in early childhood education from the University of Akron.

After the initial stages of her career, Ms. Childers established Bite Creole Kitchen, where she currently serves as the executive director. Through all of her businesses, she provides jobs for underprivileged people who recently exited the prison system, or who simply need a second chance in life. Ms. Childers also provides opportunities for continued education and financial literacy services.

Throughout the course of her professional journey, Ms. Childers is most proud to have been able to purchase a home in 2018, which she used to house people facing homelessness due to mental health or financial issues. In addition to establishing an all-woman home, she also provided residents with resources to help them reintegrate into society. She offered valuable insights on financial literacy, as well as educational courses intended to help prepare people for the workforce. Looking toward the future, Ms. Childers aspires to establish a community redevelopment program on a higher scale, such as affordable project housing units for those in need. With everything I do, my goal has always been to uplift others by providing resources, services, opportunities, and anything else I possibly can to help them change their lives.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I currently own and operate a 5-star Childcare Center and when I first opened, I served ages infant to school agers. During the pandemic, I transitioned from serving infants and toddlers to only Preschool School & School-Age which allows us to tactfully address and incorporate a program that supports social-emotional development. We want to help provide quality early childhood experiences that will lay a strong foundation for social, emotional, physical, and mental development. Some of the things we work to instill in the children are problem-solving skills, optimism, empathy, growth, creativity, resilience, and independence – all skills that they need as they move through the school system, in relationships, and in life. The purpose of the pivot was our strong belief that we could make more meaningful changes in the lives of the preschool/school-aged children we serve. While pivoting meant we had to make some significant changes, our current curriculum aligns with the mission of Let’s Make A Change, which is to promote personal and educational success through mentoring, community, and exposure.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

My enthusiasm for serving the community. I’ve been unwavering in my efforts to help others and I’ve come to find that people are motivated by and fully supportive of people whom they see making a change in others’ lives. I’ve been so lucky to be joined by people of different backgrounds that have similar goals to mine. They keep me motivated, energized, and uplifted.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.bitecreolekitchen.com
• Instagram: lets_make_a_change2 @_createaspace
• Other: www.letsmakeachange2.org @bitecreolekitchen

Image Credits
Darcia Boyd