Life & Work with Victoria Coburn-Harriel

Today we’d like to introduce you to Victoria Coburn-Harriel.

Hi Victoria, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
I was born into the community lifestyle. Both my parents were raised in the church and my mother and Grandmother were known activists within their communities.

From a young age, I helped my mother put together educational books for Children’s Church, later upgrading to her afternoon cook. I babysat throughout middle school and high school using the money I saved to help run fundraisers and start the renovations inside of the youth community center on Incirlik Air Base, Turkey.

When my family returned stateside, I wanted to continue to provide services for families the way I did living overseas. I was raised with old-school values and adjusted to the times we currently live in. My sole focus became rebuilding communities, and neighborhoods, and empowering those living in said neighborhoods to cherish what they have.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Nothing like this is easy. When I am asked what my goals are my simple answer is, “I want to take over the world peacefully.” I am often met with a laugh or scoff. This is a cause I will continue to live for. No one else has the same drive or passion for my vision as I do.

If I am being honest my biggest hurdle is finding long-term help. I need people who won’t mind being disliked or the center of attention. We are here to help but we are first and foremost the “No Men” society needs. A challenge most people will not admit to but often I got in my way.

In the earlier years, I thought because I was a certain age or the fact that I looked young, I did not think people would hear me. I would not put myself out there so to speak afraid of being turned away. Once I got past that feeling, I knew the sky was the limit.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I run a catering business. Jonathan and James: A Blend of the South. We sell southern classics such as BBQ Ribs smoked with a homemade BBQ sauce to neck bones and collard greens with cornbread muffins from scratch. The tips I make from the business go directly to the neighborhood fund Pearline’s Community. Any extra food at the end of the day is given to those in need.

We run an Adopt-A-Grandparent program going into assisted living communities celebrating holidays with those whose families have passed away or live out of state. we also donate Christmas or Thanksgiving meals for the residents and staff. In the past two years, we have started giving back to teachers nominated by the community to stock their classrooms for the school year. From school supplies to small donations from the community the teachers are giving appreciation baskets at the start of the year and thank you gifts at the end of the year.

Over the summer we hold an annual Father’s Day Block Party with games, and prizes, all while we BBQ enough food for every family to have leftovers. What sets us apart from everyone else? Honestly, that’s tough. All I can say is. I am genuine in everything I do and hope people will have faith in me and my vision to help make a better place for our kids. Just to be able to see them play outside, go to school, and drive a car, without worrying they won’t make it back home.

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I like most the diversity that the city has. With the military bases so close it brings a wide variety of people and learning experiences.

What I like least is despite having these diverse groups of people there is still a lot of work to be done integrating all histories and cultural backgrounds as a whole. Just learning a general respect for one another and being okay with the differences not forcing similarities.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @jonathan_james_catering