About

At BEACON Kitchen, we provide more than just a kitchen—we offer a  space for culinary dreams to grow and businesses to flourish.

WHO WE ARE

Empowering Culinary Creativity in a Collaborative Community

At BEACON Kitchen, we believe in fostering a vibrant environment where chefs, food entrepreneurs, and culinary enthusiasts can come together to unleash their creativity.

A chef in a white uniform and black apron stands confidently in a modern kitchen.
OUR MISSION

About New Hill​

Our mission is to expand economic opportunities to grow wealth and home ownership in the Charlottesville Black community through financial coaching, entrepreneurial support, economic development and asset building. At the heart of our efforts is BEACON, under our economic development priority. It serves as the primary vehicle for advancing our mission to boost Black wealth in Charlottesville. 



Through initiatives like the Black Business Incubator program, we’re able to leverage our financial capability priority to offer entrepreneurs the financial support and resources vital for launching, sustaining, and expanding their ventures.

FACILITIES & EQUIPMENT

Everything You Need, 

All in One Kitchen

Our professional-grade facilities are ready to support any culinary venture, providing top-tier equipment and flexible spaces for every kind of chef.

Organized cooking utensils.

Modern Appliances

Our kitchen is equipped with high-end, commercial-grade ovens, stoves, mixers, and more. Whether you’re baking, cooking, or crafting specialty products, we have the appliances to support you.

A sleek, well-organized kitchen with stainless steel countertops, professional cooking appliances, a ventilation system.

Spacious Workstations

Enjoy plenty of space to prepare, cook, and assemble your dishes. Our workstations are designed for efficiency and comfort, giving you the room you need to work at your best.

A stainless steel walk-in cold storage room.

Cold & Dry Storage

Keep your ingredients fresh and organized with our ample cold storage and dry pantry areas. We provide dedicated spaces for safe and hygienic storage of all your ingredients and supplies.

A professional kitchen workstation.

Specialty Equipment

From industrial mixers to precision scales, we offer a variety of specialty tools to help you achieve professional results. If your culinary creation requires something specific, chances are we have it.

A clean commercial kitchen sink area with two deep stainless steel sinks, high-pressure spray faucets, and tiled walls.

Sanitation & Safety

Our facilities are designed with cleanliness and safety in mind. We maintain the highest hygiene standards, with dedicated areas for cleaning and sanitizing, ensuring a safe environment for food preparation.

A well-lit communal kitchen with a large marble island, wooden cabinets, bar stools, open shelving, and modern appliances, including a refrigerator and coffee machines.

Event Space

Host cooking classes, product launches, or private events in our dedicated event space. It’s the perfect space for showcasing your culinary talents in a professional setting.

OUR GALLERY

Our Members in Action

Discover the passion and innovation happening every day in our kitchen.

A focused baker stretches and folds a enriched dough.
A baker shapes a ball of dough while several dough balls rest on a stainless steel counter.
A baker wearing gloves gently kneads a soft, elastic dough inside a stainless steel mixing bowl.
Two chefs focus on seasoning and preparing dishes
A chef in a white uniform sprinkles seasoning into a steaming pan.
OUR TEAMS

Meet the Minds Behind BEACON Kitchen

Our passionate team of food experts and professionals are dedicated to supporting your culinary journey. Get to know the people who make it all happen.

CEO YOLUNDA Profile Photo

Yolunda Harrell

Co-Founder and CEO
David Givens Profile Photo

David Givens

Director of BEACON
Dwayne Gould Profile Photo

Dwayne Gould

Executive Chef
Priscilla Akpalu Profile Photo

Priscilla Akpalu

Program Coordinator
Malaika Karriem Profile Photo

Malaika Karriem

Communications Director
Alvin Lewis Production Cook

Alvin Lewis

Production cook

LaShanna Johnson Catering Manager

LaShanna Johnson

Catering Manager
GET STARTED

Every Michelin-Starred Restaurant Started With Two Ingredients: 
A Chef and a Kitchen

You’re closer to achieving your culinary dreams than you think. Whether you’re just starting out or ready to scale, BEACON Kitchen provides everything you need to take that next step. 


Are you ready to earn your star?

Join BEACON Kitchen’s Grand Opening

About BEACON Kitchen

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