Former School Psychologist, Kawana Jefferson, Took A Leap Of Faith Into The Hospitality Industry And Now Owns Two Restaurants And A Dessert Shop

Kawana Jefferson is living out her dreams with three hospitality ventures under her belt.

The Virginia State University alum began her journey into hospitality during her college years, taking on roles like bartending and hosting, as reported by MadameNoire. While her early experiences hinted at a career in hospitality, Jefferson ultimately pursued psychology, earning a Bachelor’s degree in the field in 2003 and a Master of Science in school psychology in 2011, her LinkedIn mentions.

Jefferson spent eight years working as a school psychologist, but she also maintained an aspiration to become a businesswoman and venture into the restaurant space.

“I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit inside of me and hospitality spoke to me. It was something that I’ve always wanted to do. It was kind of like an itch that just wouldn’t go away. So I just took the leap of faith,” she said, according to the outlet.

Sweet Brooklyn Bar And Gril

In 2016, Jefferson became the proud owner of Sweet Brooklyn Bar And Grill in Brooklyn, NY, which features live entertainment and menu items such as stuffed sweet plantains, a fried catfish sandwich, and sweet bacon jam burger.

During its launch, Jefferson became a first time mother and the first in her family to open a brick and-mortar.

“I don’t come from a family of entrepreneurs. I’m the first one in my family to have a brick-and-mortar. So sometimes it gets a little gray, and I don’t always see the light at the end of the tunnel,” she explained to MadameNorie. “So I have to tap in and find that motivation from other people that have lived it.”

Lost Borough Ice Cream Shop

In February 2022, Jefferson, alongside her business partner Patrick, expanded her ventures by opening an ice cream shop in New York City. The shop features a menu of unique flavors, including fig walnut, grapenut, taro, café con leche, and coconut sorbet, as well as a variety of treats like pudding, cookies, hot chocolate, and boba.

“It is such a beautiful, family fun concept,” she explained.

Sweet Catch

That same year she launched her ice cream shop, Jefferson also opened Sweet Catch, a seafood and soul food restaurant in Brooklyn, NY, which she describes as a tribute to culture and the Black community. “This concept is dear and close to my heart,” Jefferson expressed to the MadameNoire outlet. “I wanted more representation, more ownership, and really a celebration of the food that I grew up on. It allows me to pay homage to our ancestors.”

Open from Tuesday through Sunday, customers can enjoy a Sweet Catch Boil made with crab legs, prawns, clams, and mussels; seafood pasta; jerk short ribs; and chicken-and-andouille sausage gumbo, among other dishes.

As for her motivation for it all, Jefferson credits her family and she hopes they will carry on the torch.