Family, friends, and community,

My name is Tyler Whitfield, and I’m chasing a dream that’s bigger than myself. I grew up knowing that food is more than just something you eat — it’s how we love on each other, how we celebrate, and how we pass down culture from one generation to the next.

That’s what Big Deal Whitfield is all about: Creole and soul food made with history, heart, and heavy seasoning — the kind of food that hugs you back.

Right now, we’re on the edge of something special. With help from The Well CDC, we’ve got a building in Akron’s Middlebury neighborhood, and when the doors open, it’ll be the only Black-owned restaurant in the area. But a dream this big can’t happen alone.

Why We Need You

We’ve been hustling at farmers markets, feeding folks at events, and doing everything we can to build this vision plate by plate. But turning an empty building into a true restaurant takes resources — equipment, seating, inventory, and staff.

This GoFundMe is about more than business. It’s about:

• Creating a safe, welcoming spot in Middlebury where everybody feels at home.

• Bringing culture and history to the table through real Creole and soul food.

• Building opportunity — not just for me and my family, but for others in the community.

Why Your Support Matters

When you give, you’re not just helping open a restaurant — you’re helping light up a neighborhood. You’re helping put Black ownership in a space where it’s long overdue. You’re investing in something that’s going to feed people’s bodies, spirits, and community.

How You Can Help

1. Donate whatever you can — every single dollar helps.

2. Share this page so more people can hear our story.

3. When we open, pull up and eat with us — taste the love for yourself.

Big Deal Whitfield isn’t just a restaurant dream. It’s a chance to make history in Akron, to create jobs, to serve food with soul, and to give Middlebury a place it can be proud of.

If you believe in good food, good people, and building something that lasts — please help us make this happen.

With love and gratitude,

Tyler Whitfield & Family

Big Deal Whitfield