Today we’d like to introduce you to Lakeisha Brown.
Hi Lakeisha, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Being born and raised in south Louisiana (Lafayette) definitely had its benefits, I grew up around and learned from some of the best cooks(my grandmother and aunts) and as a child, I associated good food with love and family. My parents and siblings made the move from Louisiana to Texas(Humble) 25 years ago and my daughters (Alex-28, Aarin-25, Amari-23, Ashlyn Rose-21) and I moved here in August 2016. My background/degree is in social services (I was the first in my family to graduate from college) and I think I will always go back to it in some capacity-no matter where my purpose takes me. After moving here and working for over a year, I never stopped cooking and baking, that is how I knew it was my heart’s desire because I would always go back to it when I allowed my thoughts to wander off. In 2017, I decided to get an LLC for my business and make things more “official”. However, the following year had so many twists and turns and potholes. I was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. At that time in my life I was working out 4-5 days a week, I wasn’t consuming any dairy or meat, no drinking or smoking…so how could this have happened to someone physically fit? Later, through genetic testing, I found out that I inherited it from my maternal grandmother, she ultimately died from congestive heart failure (CHF). I was advised by the cardiologist I was seeing at the time to get a pacemaker/defibrillator-which I did. Life essentially went on for me, I went back to working my 9-5, I was active again in the gym and working my catering business. By October 2021, I’d met and married the absolute love of my life (Jean Austin) and by December 2021, I was fighting for my life. I had no idea of how sick I was. Three years after my initial diagnosis, I’d seen 3 different cardiologists who were treating me for water retention-nothing more. I trusted them because they were the physicians and I assumed they had my best interests at heart, but that was far from my reality. Two months after our wedding, I was told that my organs were shutting down and I was told that I would need a heart, lung and kidney transplant. I was 44 years old. I was too weak and too sick for any transplant at that time, but I was told about a life saving device, the Heartmate 3/LVAD that would be the bridge I needed to get stronger and give me more time. That device did just that, it saved me and gave me more time. I thought about my daughters and what life would be like for them trying to navigate in this world without me(their dad and I divorced in 2006 and their relationship with him was almost nonexistent). I thought my husband who I prayed for and waited for and the toll my sickness was taking on him. There were so many nights that I cried more than I prayed. As alone as I felt, I knew God was carrying me. He NEVER left me. At this point, I’d survived a heart attack, my first stroke and I had to learn to walk again. Through breathing treatments and science, my lungs and kidneys got better. With every hospitalization, I would always ask the same question to EVERYONE that walked into my room: what’s your favorite food or dish? There were so many people I encountered, from all over the world and different walks of life and one commonality was food. Dishes that made them smile and made the remember someone that was no longer here. In September 2024, my left lung was on the verge of collapsing, I was hospitalized for two weeks, during that time I had to have my lung punctured and drained twice. The day after Thanksgiving 2024, I received “the call”. They had a healthy and viable heart for me. December 1, 2024 is now my unofficial birthday(my actual birthday is October 4th) and I will be celebrating BOTH days this year and every year after that. Fast forward to today(7 months post transplant), and I am doing well. I’m back in the gym and catering and I have been able to see my children reach several milestones in their lives. My husband and I are planning to travel over the next couple of months. He was diagnosed with stage 3 Lymphoma in April 2024. He is now in remission. I never adopted the “why me” mentality. I knew everything I was going through (or would go through) was ALL TO GLORIFY God, to show His power, His love, His Grace and His faithfulness. I have been blessed beyond any amount of measure. I have been able to speak to thousands of people about my journey. I have done dozens of television and radio interviews, I have been featured in Essence, Newsweek and Woman’s World magazines and I had the privilege of ringing the New York Stock exchange bell. I have made it a point to incorporate heart healthy dishes and options in my catering menu and lunches. I am a heart attack survivor, a stroke survivor, an LVAD recipient and a heart transplant recipient.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a caterer who specializes in all things southern (Louisiana) which includes, but not limited to: gumbos, jambalaya, Ettoufee, red beans and rice. I also specialize in all things brunch-who doesn’t love a good blackberry or grapefruit mimosa? My most popular dish/food item is my Sweet Potato Cornbread **chef’s kiss**
I have several clients that I service full-time. I’m also teaching culinary classes several times a month to young ladies that are aging out of the foster are system(this is my favorite part) and I provide dinner monthly to men that have recently been released from prison and are living in transitional housing. I’m most proud of my family, my children and my husband and how they all took such good care of me. I think one of the things that sets me apart from others is how much I appreciate people and their authenticity. I believe at the core of who we are–we want to be appreciated and valued and seen. When I prepare a meal for someone, I GENUINELY want them to enjoy it and for my food to be synonymous with love.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Time is the one thing we can’t keep track of, it is INVALUABLE. Whatever your heart’s desire is, do it, even if you have to do it scared.
“No” is a complete sentence.
ALWAYS go where love is.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.labrowns.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/la_browns
