Graduate Profile: Leshieka Williams

Leshieka Williams always knew her true calling. That’s why the Chicago native and mother of four overcame a multitude of obstacles to earn an associate of applied science in culinary arts degree from Kalamazoo Valley. “My grandmother loved baking and I was always in the kitchen with her,” Williams said. “I always knew this was something I needed to do.”

The now 37-year-old received her degree in May and said she couldn’t have done it without the support of family, friends, faculty and staff including those from the Kalamazoo Valley Accelerated Associate Program (KVAAP). Before enrolling at Kalamazoo Valley, Williams had to finish her GED. “I was homeless at the time so it was a struggle,” she said. Once she enrolled at Kalamazoo Valley, KVAAP Director Louis Thomas and his staff began to help Williams secure basic resources. “KVAAP was a huge help,” she said. “They helped with a hotel, food, babysitting and transportation. I didn’t even have a way to get to school. I was walking back and forth to school at first.”

Thomas said he was impressed with Williams' determination. "Lesheika embraced a "no excuses" attitude, despite of encountering multiple escalating barriers that could have easily derailed her," he said. "She gently challenged her peers to embrace that same philosophy. No matter what came her way, she continued to push forward with a smile, oftentimes, never mentioning the personal challenges she endured. Lesheika was an inspiration to the program and a reminder of what can happen when support meets talent and determination."

There were times when she was ready to give up, but she had plenty of supporters who wouldn’t let that happen. She counts Thomas, chef Stephanie "Chefanie" Hughes, chef Cory Barrett, chef Andrew Eggert and chef Joel Boone among those who kept encouraging her to persevere.

“You’ve gone too far to just give up,” was the refrain she and others kept repeating when times were tough. Williams said Hughes was especially helpful when she urged her to step it up and stay focused. “Leshieka was a pleasure to have in my classes throughout the program,” Hughes said. “Although she had many obstacles thrown her way, her work ethic, positive attitude, and talent served as the foundation for her to overcome those adversities. I knew Leshieka could succeed and graduate and I tried to encourage and coach her often; it was an honor to be her "sounding board." Her culinary skills and tenacity are to be commended. I am so excited Leshieka is working and excelling at a local restaurant and I look forward to watching her grow as a chef.”

Williams now has her own apartment and is now a line cook and saute' chef at Central City Tap House in downtown Kalamazoo. “I love cooking at Central City because I get a chance to serve a whole lot of different foods – Thai food, Asian and a little bit of Russian food. I love it all.”

Williams’ children range in age from 20 to 13 and they all want to become chefs like their mother. “I just want them to do something that makes them happy,” she said. Eventually Williams plans to return to Kalamazoo Valley to study business. She’ll use that training to open her own catering business. “I use myself as an example and tell people that if you put your mind to it, you can do it. Don’t ever believe that you can’t go back and don’t let anyone discourage you from being who you are. Everybody’s meant to be something. I was meant to be a chef.”