Meet Shirlene Ingraham, a culinary force of nature who’s revolutionizing the soul food scene in Miami, Florida and making waves in the global food industry. The sixty-one-year-old is the proud owner of the iconic Jackson Soul Food chain and is a franchisee of the popular fast-food chain Chick-fil-A. Now, her latest headline-stealing venture is bringing the taste of homemade soul food to the bustling corridors of Miami International Airport (MIA).
As early as the age of seven, Ingraham began to develop an appreciation for cooking by assisting her parents at Jackson Soul Food, a restaurant they opened in the Overtown area of Miami in 1946. Standing on a crate to reach the counter, she started by taking orders and gradually moved to the kitchen, where she honed her culinary skills.
Expanding the Family Business
As an adult, Ingraham initially ventured into criminology. After college at Santa Fe College in Gainesville, she returned home and began working with the Miami Police Department. However, she soon realized her heart yearned for the warmth of the kitchen, and she made a career pivot to return to the family business.
In an interview with the Miami Herald, Ingraham stated, “My parents had a restaurant in Overtown since 1946. I went off to college in Gainesville at Santa Fe College to study criminology and then came back home. I started working in the Miami Police Department. One day I decided I didn’t want to work in law enforcement anymore.”
In 2015, Ingraham expanded the family legacy by opening a second Jackson Soul Food location in Opa-locka. The expansion was not devoid of challenges, especially since she didn’t have a formal business education. However, Shirlene’s determination and faith helped her navigate the learning curves.
“After I took over the business, there were new responsibilities, like doing the payroll and paying government taxes, that I had to learn. I learned from a lot of mistakes I made,” Ingraham told the Miami Herald. “As a restaurant owner, you’re going to go through some things. You just have to stay strong and have plenty of faith because that’s what kept me going during challenging times. And it’s not always what it appears. You really have to just want it, because it took me this long just to get to the second location. You really have to have your heart in it. That suited me ’cause I’m hands-on.”
Ingraham’s day starts at four in the morning when she starts baking biscuits at Jackson Soul Food II in Opa-locka. The restaurant’s menu includes mouthwatering meals such as shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles, and fried catfish. Its irresistible offerings have been a hit with the local community and attracted high-profile customers like President Joe Biden, former President Bill Clinton, and artists like Ray J.
Arriving at Miami International Airport
The latest feather in Ingraham’s cap is the opening of Jackson Soul Food at Miami International Airport (MIA), one of the fastest-growing airports in the U.S. Ingraham, a Chick-fil-A franchisee, has also brought the beloved fast-food chain’s items to her airport location. This mix of soul and fast food will offer millions of travelers a diverse culinary experience.
The opening of Jackson Soul Food at MIA coincided with Black History Month, adding a special significance to the event. Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava lauded Ingraham’s achievements and the positive impact of her venture on the community.