10/13/2026
As a Black woman, a business owner, a wife, and a mother, I recognize that the opportunity to open the doors of Odom’s Kitchen, create jobs, build something of our own, and serve the communities we call home did not come without sacrifice.
I stand on the shoulders of courageous women and men who fought tirelessly for civil liberties, civil rights, equal opportunity, and the right to vote, particularly for Black and Brown communities and women.
Without their courage, resilience, and determination to challenge injustice, opportunities like the one my husband and I have today to own and operate Odom’s Kitchen may never have been possible.
I am a beneficiary of battles I did not have to fight, sacrifices I did not have to make, and doors that others fought to open.
And because of that, I believe I have a responsibility not only to honor their legacy through the work I do, but also through my participation in the democratic process.
To the women of Baton Rouge and beyond, I encourage you to exercise your right to vote. Double-check your voter registration status. If you are eligible and haven’t registered, please do so before the deadline. Make a plan to vote, and encourage the women in your family, your friendships, your workplaces, and your communities to do the same.
I implore you not to take this right lightly. Generations of women before us fought, marched, organized, endured unimaginable hardships, and, in some cases, gave their lives so that we could have a voice in decisions that shape our lives.
We owe it to them, to ourselves, and to the generations of young women coming behind us to use that voice.
Our businesses, our families, our communities, and our futures are worth showing up for.
Ladies, let’s show up at the polls. Not just for ourselves, but in honor of every woman who fought to make our presence there possible.
With gratitude and purpose,
D’Andra Bradford Odom
Co-Owner, Odom’s Kitchen 🧡
