A Taste of Louisiana owner Pokey Black

I am requesting funds on behalf of my friend, Pokey Black. He left Louisiana a few years ago seeking a new start that would distance himself from crime, poverty, and little opportunity that he had to battle all his life. Pokey did

just that, and up and moved to Lincoln, the perfect fit!! Pokey started his own restaurant here, in June of 2020, at the start of the COVID pandemic onset. His restaurant: A TASTE OF LOUISIANA, is on 1st and Cornhusker Hwy. Pokey's Cajun food and cooking cannot be replicated by anyone. Pokey is the only employee; he is the cook, the cleaner, the host, and the manager. His food will never disappoint, and his gentle giant personality with customers has kept him in business when so many others, sadly, closed during these crazy times.

Pokey's connection to his past has not been lost or forgotten and he closes down every last Wednesday of each month to feed the Less Fortunate out of his own pocket as he understands what it is like to be in that position. He also feeds the Less Fortunate on holidays and anyone who shows up hungry and cannot pay. I want to mention Pokey is currently housing a few members of his family who came to Lincoln after the last Hurricane struck Southern Louisiana 6 weeks ago after their homes were literally destroyed; they are staying with him in his studio apartment until they get on their own.

Pokey's life story is his story to share. I can say it is a life of a 33 year old man born in this country who survived unimaginable circumstances. Before I met and slowly got to know him, I naively thought people like him were fictional, created only for books or movies. I do not know how or where his strength comes from, but it is deep. Pokey lives each day positive, sober, hard working and grateful to be here in Lincoln. By hard working I mean 7 days a week, 12-15 hours each day.

Currently, as we all know, prices of food, supplies, rent, lack of distribution, etc. has taken a toll on most business owners, especially restaurants. A Taste of Louisiana will likely shut down in the next few weeks without help as it has become impossible to keep paying rent for kitchen space and skyrocketing prices to purchase the quality food Pokey uses to create the comfort food we all crave from time to time.

Please consider donating to keep A Taste of Louisiana going. I believe Pokey can make this a huge success with a little boost. I cannot articulate what kind of guy he is in words, but, Pokey is who we NEED to stay here in Lincoln. If you have questions, go get some food from him, talk to him and then you will understand why I am asking for this on his behalf, because he is too proud to ask himself. I want our community to support someone TRULY worthy of doing the very thing we all say to do and who to be. Thank you. Carrie

*A bit about me, I have a strong love of Louisiana, something intriguing I feel each time I visit. The Cajun people, perhaps their unique culture fascinates me. The food.... oh the Gumbo, the Jambalaya, the Po' Boys! Early this year I asked Pokey if I could 'help him' as we had gotten take-out many times from A Taste of Louisiana. He accepted my time and I assisted with events and general work duties. Slowly over time we developed a great respect for one another and a friendship for life. It is funny how different we are, coming from backgrounds that could not be more opposite.