I Rise owners Kawanna Honeycutt-Staunton and her husband, Leigh Staunton, serve soul food most days along Cajun/Creole and Jamaican fare on special days. Staunton holds a sweet potato cheesecake baked in a gingersnap crust.

A changing daily menu at I Rise features Cajun and Creole food on Mondays and Tuesdays. Here, barbecue chicken shares plate space with red beans and rice, macaroni and cheese, cornbread and mashed potatoes.

The marketer of the group, Tatia Lewis, spreads the word about I Rise's food where she works at the Capitol.

Customers tuck into a late lunch at I Rise.

Gazette photo by Kenny Kemp.....7.5x5.4......Antonio Lewis stands outside of iRise Cafe and shouts at the cars to come eat his food!