Hard Rock Stadium Welcomes 2 Black-owned Restaurants to Roster Jackson Soul Food and Grown Add Flavor to Stadium Options
18BB AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT BY MIA MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS GROUP TO THE MIAMI HERALD MONDAY , OCTOBER 2 , 2017
Profiles in Leadership
By Zach Rinkins
Councilwoman Davis ( center right ) poses with participants of a past MGWFE .
Councilwoman Lisa C . Davis has lived more than 40 years in the area that became Miami Gardens . Both of her children graduated from area schools . She said she has dedicated her personal and professional career to helping build a community where children thrive and eventually lead the city to greater heights .
“ I ’ ve always had the heart to help people in a big way ,” exclaimed Davis , a former Legacy Miami 25 “ Most Influen�al and Prominent Black Women in Business and Leadership ” honoree . “ I was asked by our current State Representa�ve Barbara Watson ( District 107 ) to consider running for council ,” recalled Davis , who said she
By Novice Johnson
Hard Rock Stadium Welcomes 2 Black-owned Restaurants to Roster Jackson Soul Food and Grown Add Flavor to Stadium Options
Customers eat samples of Jackson Soul Food at Hard Rock Stadium
Collard greens , macaroni and cheese , smothered pork chops and a slice of sweet potato pie . Sounds like Sunday dinner at Grandma ’ s house , but it ’ s actually game-day cuisine at Hard Rock
Councilwoman Davis Looks Forward to Continuing Service to Community After Term Ends
Davis with Miami Gardens residents .
ini�ally refused Watson ’ s recommenda�on . “ I went to my mom and she encouraged me to serve in a bigger way .”
In 2010 , the voters of Miami Gardens Residen�al Area Seat 2 elected Davis to represent them on the Miami Gardens City Council . Bordering County Line Road , Area 2 consists of the city ’ s northern boundary and includes the Andover and Norwood neighborhoods , among others . Her district notwithstanding , Davis envisions herself as an inclusive leader .
“ I love my district , but my events and ini�a�ves are for the en�re city . It ’ s about service to the en�re community .”
For Davis , leadership is about mee�ng
Stadium in Miami Gardens .
For Dolphins fans yearning for an alterna�ve to the tradi�onal hotdogs , cheesy nachos and so� pretzels , there ’ s now an expanded menu including soul food and healthy op�ons , courtesy of two black-owned restaurants .
Jackson Soul Food and Grown are literally adding flavor to the newly renovated stadium , which is gearing up to host the Super Bowl in 2020 .
Jackson Soul Food — located at Level 100 , Sec�on 134 inside the stadium — serves everything from pork chops , macaroni and needs and making difficult decisions . “ People look at what you do and not what you say ,” she said . “ You have to be able to make the decision and withstand the heat , even when it is unpopular .”
Davis is nearing the end of her second and final term – a tenure she said she is proud of for several reasons .
In 2016 , Davis started the Young Commission for Women . Both she and members of the commission mentor 15 young ladies from area high schools through service opportuni�es as well as personal and leadership development workshops .
She said she hopes to equip girls with tools to succeed in the city . “ I want our young people to get more knowledge about what ’ s going on in the world ,” Davis noted . “ I want to see how we can mold and shape them to be and do be�er . I want them to see more op�ons for themselves . I want to see them lead and eventually run for office .”
Senior ci�zens are another treasured group for Davis . “ Seniors are very important to me ,” she added . “ I want them to be able to enjoy the city and feel safe and secure when they walk out of the door .”
Davis said she uses events and ini�a�ves to raise awareness about cri�cal issues
cheese and collard greens to fried conch for a li�le Caribbean flair . Jackson management is excited to add the Hard Rock to their roster of loca�ons , which includes the flagship restaurant at 950 NW Third Street in Overtown , and Jackson Soul Food II at 14511 NW 27th Ave . in Opa-Locka .
“ With any business loca�on is key ,” says Ayesha Ingraham , the restaurant chain ’ s director of administra�on and property management . “ Having a loca�on in the stadium has a major impact on sales and gives us the opportunity to direct stadium guests to our other two community loca�ons .”
Gluten-free chicken fingers , wild-caught salmon burgers , grass-fed beef sandwiches , organic juices and smoothies . That ’ s just a sample of what customers can expect to order at Grown , an organic fast-food restaurant owned by former NBA Miami Heat player Ray Allen and his wife , Shannon . Their flagship restaurant is located at 8211 S . Dixie Highway in South Miami , but at the aimed at increasing the quality of life for city residents . Her signature contribu�on is the Miami Gardens Wine and Food Experience , which she established five years ago .
" I wanted to create an event that brought celebri�es and residents together in our city ,” Davis said . “ We ' ve a�racted actors Omari Hardwick and Lamman Rucker , and famous chefs like Marcus Samuelsson . This event is going to grow and con�nue to showcase our city . It is not a fes�val . It is an experience ."
MGWFE is scheduled for November 11 , at 6 p . m . at the Miami Gardens City Hall Roo�op located at 18605 N . W . 27th Avenue . Tickets are $ 85 . Visit www . miami gardenswineandfood . com for more details .
Although Davis is unable able to seek re-elec�on for her council seat because of term limits , she said residents should not be surprised if they see her campaigning for another opportunity to serve their community .
“ I would never call myself a poli�cian ,” Davis shared . “ I am a public servant .”
To learn more about Davis and the Miami Gardens community , log on to www . miamigardens-fl . gov for more information .
Hard Rock Stadium customers will find it in two loca�ons , including the Club Level .
“ We ’ re really excited to bring healthy foods where there aren ’ t always health choices ,” says Shari Franklin , Grown ’ s director of marke�ng .
Franklin maintains that Grown ’ s menu items are all made from scratch , never frozen or cooked in a fryer or microwave .
“ It ’ s something that ’ s really important to us that people are ea�ng not just healthy , but healthful ,” says Franklin .
For both restaurants , the exposure at the stadium is helping to expand their brand , introducing new customers to their menu while keeping their regular customers there happy — and full .
“ There is only one reason why you should eat at Jacksons next �me you are at the stadium ,” said Ingraham . “ We are simply the best soul food restaurant in South Florida . Period .”