We had the good fortune of connecting with Devotis Lee and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Devotis, what inspires you?
I’m inspired just by that word inspiration. Im inspired by a good meaningful movie with character, that teach us that we to can do good things. I’m inspired by ordinary people doing extraordinary things. It inspires me when people are willing to help one another, with the right motive. I’m inspired when i see  People learning and growing to be better, everyday. and not give up. I feel great when I can make a contribution to a cause. I’m really inspired when I’m being challenged have no clue of what I’m doing, willing to learn the steps to do it well and be able to laugh at myself with correction. I’m inspired when I see the impact of the small things that people can do with the little they have to help others. That inspires me to do more to have more to help more, to build a bigger platform and make a greater impact. Yet be grateful for it! Im inspired when I have helped another person. I’m inspired by people that know better and do better. I’m inspired when I know that I can be part of something bigger, one day at a time and make this world a better place one person at a time.  I’m inspired by the great people in this world that wants to make a difference, help someone along the way and share.

What should our readers know about your business?

We put Love in every dish for everyone that we service. A quote from my Executive Chef. We make most of our items from scratch. We enjoy serving others. We make fresh tasty items daily. We use our platform to help upcoming entrepreneurs succeed, they use our kitchen and cafe to sell their product.. which allows them the opportunity to move forward. We also focus on hiring the underserved population, we hire juveniles that we can train and serv safe certify. D Cafe and Catering has been serving Atlanta since 2009 and opened its first brick and mortar in 2013 and still reside in the Westview Community. D cafe serve Breakfast, Lunch and Brunch. D Cafe is owned by Atlanta natives Husband and wife and operated by family. The Restaurant business is challenging and that means that there are many times, you temporarily quit. But you show up the next morning ready to go. Attitude and Gratefulness means a lot. In any business. During the pandemic it’s been really challenging. It’s a roller coaster ride for us all especially African American women own small businesses that lack the working capital resources already, , during these challenging times I have prayed and cried not sure if we should go left or right. Yet God allowed us to create two sauces for sale A Peach Cognac Sauce and A Strawberry Tequilla Lime Sauce which can be used on any foods. The beauty of the sauces is we kept it in the community, the sauces were made by us, packaged by Cultured South LLC and is being sold not just online or at the Cafe , the sauces are also sold at The Westview Corner Grocery.  We’ve also added a Vegan Corner Menu: Vaffles ™ vegan scrambled eggs with tumeric and spinach, we have also created a vegan sausage from scratch.Creating these items  also allow us to test the retail part of the business. Lessons we’ve learned to stay focus and community oriented. We want to continue to learn and grow and expand into multiple locations with contracts in Georgia and be a staple in Atlanta sharing the responsibility to make Atlanta and this world a better place for all. We have an Cozy Event space that clients rent for Meetings, Parties,
Small Intimate Weddings and Receptions, we have 77 free parking spaces we are know for planning and Catering Events in Atlanta.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would show them The Heart of Atlanta. The High Museum,. African American Museum, Take them on the Trolley, Take them to D Cafe for Breakfast and Lunch…( smile ) I would take them to.Colony Square for Drinks to see Atlanta in lights. The Mercedes Stadium, See the Capitol, I would take them to Tyler Perry Studios, which is history.  I would ride around to show them the beautiful progress Of Atlanta. We would have to see SCLC W.O.M.E.N Inc., Ebenezer Baptist Church, The M. L.King Center, Paschal, Russell RCIE, Auburn Ave old historic  sights.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
To God, whom gave me My #1 cheerleader that loved me, encouraged me ever step without motive, which is my deceased mother. My mother who had nothing always wanted a restaurant could see my vision of having much more and she encouraged that vision with Love. Also I thank God for placing me in the right family with My husband, my children ,my siblings and their children that has always been supportive. To my Best Friends that cheer me along the way. Along the way there has been so many organizations and individuals that I’m Thankful and Grateful to for helping me, stay in business day by day. One step at a time. Along the way, each person taught me a lesson good or bad it allowed me to win, learn and never lose . Thanks to God whom gets all the Glory who teaches me to say Thank you for everything small or big thing or act, , taught me to be grateful for it all and the lesson of Love over Hate and grudges. To understand to keep moving never give up. To embrace my flaws and realize and celebrate my accomplishments. To seek improvement daily…. visible or not. I’m excited and Thankful for being able to continue to learn , grow as a person, and a business. I’m enjoying this journey and what lies ahead. THANKFUL, THANKFUL, extremely GRATEFUL.

Website: Dcafeatl.com
Instagram: dcafeandcatering
Linkedin: Devotis Lee
Facebook: D Cafe
Yelp: D Cafe and Catering

Image Credits
Khiry Clements

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