else will take over the business so it doesn’ t have to close.
“ So, if I don’ t have anybody [ to ] take over, I’ m going to have to shut down,” Meyers said.“ Maybe I can find somebody I can teach them the way I cook.”
PLATFORM
Platform Dining and Lounge is one of the newest additions to Southern Indiana’ s dining scene. The business in downtown New Albany offers soul food with a wide range of options for meat-eaters and vegans alike.
The restaurant at 145 E. Main St. also offers signature cocktails and a live venue, where customers can enjoy shows such as comedy shows and live music.
Jermaine Bradley, chef and business partner at Platform, said the restaurant highlights“ Black excellence.” The business is owned and operated by multiple Black men. He wants everyone to feel welcome to come in, whether they are dining in or watching a live show.
Bradley only eats plant-based food, and he has brought his expertise as a vegan chef to the menu. Customers can enjoy catfish and turkey ribs, but they can also try a lion’ s mane mushroom steak.
One of Platform’ s dishes is the“ soul bowl,” which uses sweet potato cornbread as the base. It is topped with collard greens and mac & cheese, and there are options to make it vegan or vegetarian.
The restaurant offers“ good flavor and great service,” Bradley said.
The owners of the restaurant note that Black-owned businesses are underrepresented in New Albany, including the downtown area. The business partners include Benny and Adam Carter, who also operate Primo’ s Detail Plus in New Albany. They are used to being the only or one of the only Black businesses in the downtown area for the past decade.
Adam said they want Platform be a“ beacon of light in the community” that helps others succeed.
“ We also want to be able to encourage other Black business owners and Black entrepreneurs that you can do it,” Adam said.“ You can create your platform, and you can elevate yourself.”
8 DIVERSITY July | August 2025
Jermaine Bradley, head chef at Platform( right), is pictured with chef Frank Leonti at the New Albany soul food restaurant.