OUR STORY

Zella Robinson, 2024 Black Excellence Award Winner was raised in Brooklyn/Queens, NY and started cooking at a very young age of five (5) making homemade cheese toast underneath the gas oven. Zella was raised by a single mother Louise Robinson (affectionately known as Momma). Zella was the youngest of eight (8) children. Whom her oldest brother was killed during Vietnam, where he earned a Purple Heart. Then her next oldest brother Jerome “Rome” Robinson became the “ROCK” of the family and helped raise the younger siblings. During middle school Carol (Mauro) and Gary DiSanto took Zella underneath their wings and became her God-Parents. Jerome was later lost to lung cancer in 2008.

Momma assured that all of her children knew how to cook. Zella’s cooking skills enhanced and she became a fluent cook. Making all types of cuisines, to include homemade sweet potato pies and homemade banana pudding. After graduating from Andrew Jackson High School. Zella joined the United States Army, where she served Active Duty, Army Reserves, and Army National Guard for sixteen honorable years. Zella also served during the Desert Storm War. Where she earned two bronze stars and other combat awards. After active duty military, Zella gave birth to her only child Ashley Aaliyah Robinson.

Zella later graduated Strayer University where she earned her bachelors degree in Computer Science, majoring in Computer Information Systems and then went on to earn her Masters Degree in Business Administration and Human Resource Management. Zella supported all types of Government Agencies throughout the Washington, D.C region. Cooking was still a major part in Zella’s life. People who knows her personally looks forward to her home events where she fed everyone that attend. She was often called to cater food for others and that’s when she knew she had to put her cooking talents to good use. She purchased a Mobile Food Truck named “IT’S IN THA BAG.” Zella cooks all of her food with love and will assure that everyone has a great experience. She has now opened her restaurant named: ZELL’s Kitchen & Lounge.Donations are welcomed via Cash App: $ITSINTHABAGLLC

For those of us that lost family members and friends during this 2019 COVID Pandemic. We will never forget them: Let’s remember my Mother Louise (Momma) Robinson, my sister Edith (Duckie) Robinson, my neighbor/best friend Joni Coleman.