Meet Lakisha

Transformational Speaker | #1 Best-Selling Author | Cultural Strategist

Lakisha P. Hunter—widely known as Chef K—is a Chicago-based transformational speaker, mentor, entrepreneur, and leader whose life and work stand as proof that your past does not get to cancel your purpose.

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Once a gang leader navigating survival and adversity, Lakisha made a pivotal decision to rise above the circumstances that once pushed her purpose to the margins. Today, she is the CEO of Lakisha P Hunter Inc and Rise Above The Ordinary Inc, the owner of That Jerk Spot LLC, and the creator of M.I.C.™ Framework—a transformational framework centered on Motivation, Inspiration, and Communication.

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As a celebrated culinary entrepreneur and community leader, Chef K is known not only for her vibrant food and customer experience, but for her commitment to second chances.  She founded the Rise Above The Ordinary mentorship program, empowering youth and justice-involved individuals through culinary and business training that equips them to overcome obstacles and build sustainable futures.

She also serves as a mentor and trainer for the National Restaurant Association Education Foundation (NRAEF) HOPES program, supporting justice-involved youth nationwide.

Lakisha’s journey from adversity to leadership has been featured on WGN, ABC News, and Newsweek, and she is the author of Rise Above The Ordinary: The Life Behind Her Smile, as well as the recipient of the 2023 Restaurants ADVANCE Leadership My Journey Award.

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With a foundation in Organizational Leadership and Urban Ministry, Lakisha brings a rare blend of executive insight, cultural intelligence, and human-centered leadership to organizations navigating change, disengagement, and communication breakdowns.  Her work helps leaders and teams move beyond surface-level motivation into meaningful conversations that build trust, strengthen culture, and unlock the power of people’s stories—creating transformation that lasts.

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Lakisha’s message resonates across corporate, educational, nonprofit, and government sectors because she meets people where they are—while equipping them to lead beyond where they’ve been.