Tag Archives: alumna

HUB Program Reconnects Alumna to Central Piedmont

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Three people standing in front of GRITS red food truck🍴 Central Piedmont recently hosted its first “Chat, Sip, and Chew” event, bringing Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB) specializing in culinary and food services to campus to meet with faculty and staff.

Event Highlights:

  • 24 vendors showcased their businesses and potential partnerships.
  • Jorieka Downey, a 2014 Central Piedmont alumna, was one of the vendors. She shared her inspiring journey of overcoming obstacles to build her successful food truck and catering business, G.R.I.T.S. CLT.

Downey’s Journey:

  • Education: Enrolled in Central Piedmont’s culinary program while juggling two jobs and raising three children.
  • Challenges: Worked third shift, attended classes, and balanced family life.
  • Career Start: Gained experience at Compass Group and formed a crucial business partnership.
  • Business Growth: Started as a caterer, gained popularity at events like the 2019 NBA All-Star Game and the CIAA Basketball Tournament.
  • Viral Success: Went viral with a stuffed turkey leg, garnering over 30,000 views on social media.
  • Celebrity Catering: Catered for concerts featuring Busta Rhymes, 112, Marsha Ambrosius, and more.

Overcoming COVID Challenges:

  • Despite setbacks, Downey used her savings, loans, and grants to purchase her food truck.
  • Awards: Won “Charlotte’s Best Black-owned Food Truck” competition in 2022, judged by notable figures like Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles and Congresswoman Alma Adams.

Resilience and Advice:

  • Setback: Faced a fire that damaged her food truck but continues to persevere.
  • Encouragement: “Stay in it,” Downey advised Central Piedmont students. “If it’s your goal or passion, you have to give it your all. Put your best foot in and never give up.” 🌟

Alumna Kedeja Adams Earns Doctorate Degree

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Dr. Kedeja Adams

Central Piedmont alumna Kedeja Adams was at the bottom of her Myers Park graduating class, but she was determined to make an impact.

While enrolled in Central Piedmont’s Medical Assisting program, she met her mentor, Dr. Kellye Hall, who suggested she go to medical school. She took Kellye’s advice and enrolled at North Carolina A&T after graduating from Central Piedmont. She later graduated from A&T and matriculated to UNC Chapel Hill’s Medical School, where she graduated with her doctorate on May 14, 2021.

Dr. Adams hopes her story influences people who may be in a difficult situation and give them the motivation they need to believe in themselves. She begins her residency at Johns Hopkins in obstetrics and gynecology soon.

Watch the complete WSOC-TV story.