Abundance Child is the founder and owner of Drop Squad Kitchen, located in downtown Wilmington. Read her story as this week’s #PeopleOfWilmDE!
“I was born at Dover Air Force Base and grew up in Dover, Delaware. From a young age, I developed my own style and, wanting clothes my mother was reluctant to buy, I obtained my working papers and began working at the Econo Lodge, cleaning hotel rooms. After my parents relocated, we moved to North Star/Hockessin. I graduated from Ursuline Academy, where I was actively involved as President of the Model United Nations and won several writing competitions, including one on valuing diversity. This achievement earned me the opportunity to attend a Congressional Seminar in Washington, D.C., where I shadowed then-Senator Joseph Biden. I also excelled in track, winning awards at the all-Catholic, county, and state levels. My passion for fashion led me to work at the Wild Pair in the Christiana Mall throughout high school. I attended Clark Atlanta University for three years before completing at Delaware State University.
Three fun facts about me are: I am an initiated Priestess of Olodumare and serve Orisa as an Iyanifa, I am not vegan I am plant based, and I am a Freemason.
Wilmington has been instrumental in my personal and professional growth. The city’s rich cultural heritage and vibrant arts scene provided fertile ground for my early endeavors, such as running Delaware’s first hip-hop open mic at Café Carib and later at the Baby Grand. As Wilmington diversified, it became a hub for new businesses and cultural activities, offering numerous opportunities for niche creators like myself to thrive. Wilmington being small and a place to be somebody forces me to organically stand out.
A story that highlights my deep connection to Wilmington and the journey that has shaped my presence in this city begins with Molly’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream and Deli, which was my entry point to Wilmington. It was Mayor Mike Purzycki who directly invited my mother to establish our business there, and since 1999, we have held down that location. As the first Black-owned business and the only woman-owned business on the Riverfront for decades, this achievement is no small feat and fills me with pride.
Wearing the big ancestral shoes of my predecessors, I have continued to break new ground by opening the first vegan restaurant in the state, Drop Squad Kitchen, and organizing the first festival honoring the Ancestors in Delaware, Beyond Juneteenth. Wilmington is the city that has nurtured me, providing a fertile ground for my entrepreneurial spirit and cultural initiatives.
It is a place that has supported my vision and allowed me to grow, and for that, I am deeply grateful and proud to claim Wilmington, as my City.
Here are some of my favorite Wilmington attractions/events and why:
- Drop Squad Kitchen- No place like it. It is a National destination to many and my second home.
- On a typical day or night off, I create my own venue. Thorough Thursday at Drop Squad Kitchen. It has been going for over 15 years. I am consistently told that it is still one of the best open mics that people have ever experienced! I create my own vibe where I see the city is lacking.
- Brandywine Park, with its scenic trails along the Brandywine River, offers a perfect setting for my outdoor activities such as hiking, exercising, meditating, and practicing yoga and Modern VeeJitsu/ martial arts.
- The Delaware Art Museum is another favorite, not only because of its impressive exhibits and events but also due to the influence of my best friend, Iz, who has significantly enhanced the programming there. The museum’s diverse offerings in art and culture are truly priceless, providing endless inspiration and enrichment
- The Mitchell Center for African American Heritage at the Delaware History Museum is also one of my secret obsessions.
My favorite places to catch live music in Wilmington are the Baby Grand and The Queen when they have artists like Fela or Sweet honey in the Rock. At the top of my list is the People’s Festival, a tribute to Bob Marley, which I wish could happen every weekend. That festival is home to me.
If I stay in the city or if I am not at the Movies…Penn Cinema or Brandywine Regal, I am definitely supporting Happy Hours at the Delaware Art Museum. That’s a no brainer. I can end up at The Nomad Bar for its intimate atmosphere and quality local entertainment and as of late…I am really feeling Simmer Down…love the atmosphere and the diversity of the crowd age and ethnicity wise.
If I have a group of friends and we want an after party late night experience to dance like no one is watching, I patronize Apexx. They play a lot of reggae and afrobeat there. Docklands gets a special mention…It is easy to just leave Drop Squad and go hang out there for a bit.
I am limited because I have been a strict vegan since 1993, so it is hard to go places. Late at night, there really are not a lot of good plant-based options in the city. Kid Shelleens is one of my favorite spots to eat and drink.
What is one of my proudest moments of being a Wilmingtonian? Putting Delaware on the MAP for some of the best Plant Based Food in the United States according to the PETA organization is one of my life’s proudest moments.
I am excited that Drop Squad Kitchen will be opening up in a new location in Wilmington! TBA
There has been an emphasis on increased investments in education, the environment, and affordable housing that aligns with my vision for community empowerment and social equity. As an entrepreneur and business owner, these initiatives could provide opportunities for collaboration and community development for my new non profit organization, particularly in areas like education and housing, which are crucial for supporting diverse communities.
Efforts to transform vacant homes into affordable housing address a critical need in Wilmington. This initiative is in alignment with the mission of my newly created non profit whose focus is on providing opportunities for people facing socioeconomic challenges.
The approval of a bill aimed at transparency and accountability in police misconduct is a win to me. Social justice is a cause that resonates with me and I identify with many who have not received social justice. Additionally, the progress on recreational marijuana legislation could open new business avenues and contribute to the local economy, offering potential growth opportunities for entrepreneurs which means more collaborations which means more diversification of the marketplace.
My mother always said if you cannot afford to pay people at least $15/ hour you don’t need to be in business. The recent bills involving minimum wage increases and employer tax relief are significant for business owners like myself. These changes will impact our operational costs which many of us have been struggling with. I think it may improve employee satisfaction however, which are critical for maintaining thriving businesses… like Drop Squad Kitchen.
I envision Wilmington as a welcoming city that attracts people from other cities like a great migration. I would like to see Wilmington offer opportunities for everyone and champion fairness and equality and economic success. Imagine a whole city void of homelessness and abandoned houses and buildings. My goal is to create an environment, as I have been doing with Drop Squad Kitchen for over 13 years, where people from all backgrounds can thrive and feel at home. Wilmington is small enough to be able to make an impact not only in the city but on the state and national level.
I envision a greener city that invests heavily in green spaces and urban farming to promote sustainability and improve air quality. I imagine a real functional centralized farmer/ market that imports produce and goods from our own city and state that people can benefit from personally and professionally. These efforts will not only enhance our natural environment but also foster a more organic sense of community and inclusion among residents which will enhance our economic growth and development the way Dupont did…
I envision that Wilmington can work its way to be a role model on issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion giving support to organizations and businesses to move beyond superficial approaches and engage in meaningful action in Wilmington.
My dear friends in Wilmington, remember that you are not just physical beings, but eternal souls having a temporary human experience. Wilmington is a reflection of our collective consciousness, a manifestation of our thoughts and beliefs. The universe, in its infinite wisdom, has placed us here for a purpose at the same time and at the same place.
Each person we meet is a mirror, reflecting aspects of ourselves and every difference is an opportunity to evolve rather than separate. Instead of being competitive we should be creative. If we wish to see positive change in Wilmington, we have to start by changing our inner world.
Lastly, take time to connect with nature, even in the urban environment. The trees, the river, the sky – they are all part of the grand tapestry of existence and they remind us of our connection to each other by example.
In every moment, we have the power to choose love over fear, understanding over judgment, and growth over stagnation. By doing so, we not only elevate our own experience but contribute to the elevation of a thriving and harmonious Wilmington – from the inside out.”
