Josephine Mother Wade (Photo Provided)
Beloved South Side chef, community matriarch, and activist Josephine “Mother” Wade is inviting the public to join her for a special Juneteenth celebration and fundraiser this Saturday, June 14, from 12 to 4 p.m. at her restaurant, Josephine’s Cookin’ (436 E. 79th St.).
The event, which doubles as a birthday celebration for Wade—who turns 83—will raise money for her foundation and scholarship fund. It also honors a dozen dynamic women who embody the same spirit of leadership and service that Wade has carried for decades.
Attendees can expect an afternoon filled with soul food, music, dancing, and tributes to the honorees—all in the spirit of Juneteenth. For Wade, food has always been more than nourishment—it’s a link to Black heritage and a symbol of survival.
“Food is one way to celebrate Juneteenth as we share foods that fed generations of Black families, and, even, some enslaved people. It serves as a way to connect with our ancestral history,” she said.
This year’s honorees include:
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Kate Young, Aramark
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Darlene Tribue, Park Manor
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Pam Brown, Business Development, Paradies Lagardère
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Aricka Anderson, Communications Engagement Director
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Cheryl Blackmond, Community Activist
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Ronalyn Stephen, PHCS Plus, President and CEO
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Sharla Roberts, Chief Procurement Officer, City of Chicago
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Dr. Lona Bibbs, Retired Educator
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Commissioner Bridget Gainer, Cook County Board of Commissioners
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Karen McCoo, Independent Media Production Professional
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Victoria Lopez, Zann – Manager, Strategic Partnerships
Wade opened Captain’s Hard Times (now Josephine’s Cookin’) in 1986 with her husband, building a restaurant rooted in family recipes and community spirit. Over the years, she has hired locally, fed the hungry, and launched We Women Empowered, a group that mentors young people.
The celebration’s purpose ties into the four pillars of Juneteenth: education, health, wealth, and justice—with this weekend’s focus on raising funds for education.
For more information, visit Josephine’s Cookin’ at 436 E. 79th Street on June 14. Bring your appetite and your heart.
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