Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Christaveon Gaines. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Christaveon , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

At The Flava TrapHouse, our mission is to serve bold, soulful food that brings together the richness of Black culture, the energy of street hustle, and the comfort of home cooking. We are more than just a food trailer—we’re an experience rooted in authenticity, creativity, and community. Every plate we serve is packed with flavor and made with intention, reflecting the spirit of those who hustle hard and love harder.

The Flava Traphouse is rooted in community and transformation — of lives, of culture, and of legacy. We’re taking something that once symbolized pain, struggle, and addiction — the “trap” — and flipping it into something nourishing, soulful, and safe. We’re serving the streets not with substances, but with love, culture, and flavor that feeds more than just the stomach.

This mission is deeply personal to me because I believe strongly in uplifting and uniting the community I have been raised in. To which is why we will do more than sell food. I’ve witnessed firsthand what addiction can do to a person, to a family, and to a community. I’ve also seen how people experiencing homelessness or battling substance use are often overlooked — treated as problems instead of people. That reality has always stayed with me and has become a part of why The Flava TrapHouse will work to giving back as one of our main initiatives.

And I have to give credit where it’s due — so much of the heart behind this work comes from some great woman in my family. My grandmother Myrtle, my sister Shantel, my aunt Lenora and importantly my mother, Carla Flowers. She taught me how to cook, but more significantly, she taught me why we cook: how it unites a community. Her hustle, her strength, and her heart for feeding not just a family, but a whole community, communities, lives on in everything I do. Every plate we serve is layered with purpose.

This isn’t just a business. It’s a calling.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Christaveon but I’m known to many as C.Dot, and I’m the founder of The Flava TrapHouse, LLC, a new and exciting culinary brand and food trailer in the works built on culture, purpose, and flavor. While the official food venture is fresh, my journey as a creative entrepreneur runs deep — I’ve spent a couple years working as a filmmaker and have been dedicated to elevating Arizona’s Black independent film scene. Telling stories that reflect real experiences has always been at the core of my work, and The Flava TrapHouse is a natural extension of that same passion.

As me and my partner Anthony Phelps Jr. take on this new project, we strive for The Flava Traphouse to be all about delivering elevated cultural food with a raw, authentic edge. Our menu features items like sauced wings, crispy chicken sandwiches, collard greens and signature drinks like our hand-crafted lemonades — all served in packaging inspired by street culture and designed to stand out. We’re not just selling food; we’re serving an experience that fuses creativity, flavor, and culture into every detail.

What truly sets us apart is the heart behind the hustle. One of our main initiatives I’m most proud of is Operation Clean Plate — our dedicated effort to combat the drug addiction crisis in Phoenix while supporting unhoused individuals and families in need. For every support given, we’re working toward our efforts on providing help to individuals and families who need them most. It’s our way of giving back and using our platform for something bigger than just business.

This brand reflects everything I stand for — authenticity, creativity, and hustle. I’m always focused on telling real stories, creating real impact, and inspiring others to do the same. With The Flava TrapHouse, we’re not only feeding people — we’re building something meaningful that brings people together through food, culture, and purpose.

Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?

Right now, we don’t have all the capital we need to finally launch this project. We’ve put in the groundwork — the concept, the brand, the message — but right now were trying to acquire the funding to get this trailer equipped, and rolling. From food and supplies to licensing and operational costs, we’re seeking support to make this happen.

This isn’t just about selling plates — It’s about using food as a form of healing and connection and giving a different tone to the word Trap. In a world where the trap once meant pain and escape, we’re creating a new kind of craving — for taste, culture, and community. Creating something in reminiscent of those growing up in a black household and the foods we ate.

Our trailer is backed by Doris Brown, a trailblazing Black woman business owner and serial entrepreneur based in Casa Grande, Arizona. As the former owner of Dorsey B.’s Fish and Fixings and the Celebrity Den Barbershop—two beloved Black-owned and women-owned businesses—she has made a lasting mark on the community. Long before these ventures, she established a daycare that provided vital, affordable care to women and families in need. Dorsey B. has long been a pillar of culture, support, and opportunity for countless of people in Phoenix.

We know times are tough for a lot of people, but if you’re in a position to help — whether through a donation, a share, or simply spreading the word — we welcome you into the trap. Every act of support brings us one step closer to rolling out something real, something soulful, and something that could truly change lives.

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

I met my co-founder and business partner, Anthony Phelps Jr., shortly after I wrapped my first film, Bloodline. He reached out to me, letting me know how inspired he was by the project and shared that he was about to step into the waters of filmmaking himself. He had a lot of questions about where to start and what the leap of faith felt and looked like — and from that very first conversation, we clicked. I could see his hunger, his vision, and his passion, and it reminded me so much of my own.

What started as a conversation about film quickly turned into a brotherhood. We discovered we had more in common than we realized — we’re both writers, directors, and visionary creatives, but also community curators at heart. One of the most powerful things we share is a love for cooking and the cultural roots that shaped it, like our parents and grandparents — both of us were raised by families who poured love into food, and that influence never left us.

But beyond the creative bond, Anthony has become like a brother. He’s stood beside me through some of the toughest moments in my journey. And at the core of everything we do is a strong, shared faith in God and His purpose for our lives. That faith keeps us grounded, aligned, and driven to build projects that truly makes an impact.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cdotmar?igsh=MWp0MzR3ZDVqdG9kZw==
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christaveon-gaines-045032176?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

Image Credits

Ronald RJ McBean (@GoGetRJ)