Meet Trailblazer Rukiyyah Khan

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rukiyyah Khan.

Rukiyyah, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I grew up in a food family. Both sides of my family celebrated and grieved, loved and laughed, shared and cared with food. I learned to cook by watching both of my grandmothers throw down in the kitchen. I also loved to watch cooking shows. My love for food and cooking started early and but I never imagined that it would blossom into a business.

I pursued my degree at the University of Georgia and thought I would be a lawyer. A few internships later, I knew law wasn’t my path, so I applied for Teach for America and moved to Houston. I lived there and taught middle school English and Social Studies before relocating back home to Atlanta to teach for another year. Teaching was an amazing yet challenging experience. I love my students dearly and no matter what they will always have my heart. And those students inspired me to pursue my dreams. I will never forget a conversation with a former student. She was grading papers for me while a group of my colleagues and I talked. We were discussing our burning desires and how we all had greater purposes outside of teaching. She politely asked if she could say something, and very bluntly stated, “You all tell us to dream big, to go for our goals every day. You all could be whatever you want yet you come here to teach us. I’m not saying I don’t appreciate you, but you all have dreams and goals too. If you teach us to reach for our goals, you should do the same.”

Fast forward a few years and I began to really listen to my heart. My transition to veganism happened a few years back and slowly but surely I started to build my skills cooking vegan food. I found that there was a market for healthy and delicious food options and I decided to tap into that market. I cooked for my friends, I cooked for my family, and I started to cook for others who were interested. I decided to begin meal prepping for them because it helps ease the burden of cooking and eating plant-based. My brand Kiyyah’s Plant-Based Kitchen was born out of a love for food, a passion for being plant-based and my mission to educate people on the benefits of a plant-based lifestyle!

In addition to this brand, my fiance launched Doughlicious Vegan in October. He grew up in his father’s bakery and decided to reimagine his recipes to be vegan. His specialty breads and bean pie are the star products, with many more products coming soon. This is just another step in our bigger dream of owning and operating a bakery and cafe together.

Until then, we are cooking and baking from The Irwin Street Community Kitchen located on the beltline. Plant-based meals will be available to go on a daily basis starting April 17 as well as a pop-up restaurant every Wednesday for lunch and dinner service. Bean pies from Doughlicious Vegan are already available at The Irwin Street Market with the breads and other products coming soon!

Great, 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?
This has not been a smooth road at all. I am just at the beginning and know that there are a ton of obstacles to come but I think I have conquered the biggest hurdle; self-doubt. When I first decided to leave teaching and pursue another path, I was lost. I actually got into business school and at the last minute decided that I would rather pursue business for myself than go into debt. That decision was definitely the hardest and the first month afterwards, I was riddled with self-doubt. I kept questioning whether I could be successful and whether this passion was worth pursuing. The best thing though is that my friends, family, and fiance were there to reassure me. They encouraged me to just go for it and speak only positivity into my goals.

My advice to young women is to listen to yourself. A lot of times, you feel lost because you are bombarded with ideas of what you are supposed to be or accomplish. In reality, the life you imagine for yourself is drastically different from what you have subscribed to for so long. The only way to truly hear what your heart desires is to take time for yourself. Step back from the doing of life, be still and allow your soul to be free. In the quiet moments, you will feel an urge and that will lead you in the direction that you are supposed to go.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Kiyyah’s Plant-Based Kitchen and Doughlicious Vegan – what should we know?
Kiyyah’s Plant-Based Kitchen stemmed from my own vegan journey and my transition to being plant-based. I got my fill of vegan junk food when I first transitioned and realized that just because it is vegan, does not mean it is healthy. I began to focus more on the health aspects of veganism and realized that the veganism I needed was a plant-based diet. I wanted to learn more so I completed the Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate from eCornell. This new knowledge helped me transition away from my favorite processed vegan foods towards whole foods. I started experimenting with making all of my favorite dishes strictly plant-based and found that it tasted just as good (actually better)!

My goal is to provide nutritious and tasty plant-based meals for people who are on the go. My brand stands apart in that my main focus is making plants taste good. I focus on making dishes using mostly whole grains, fresh vegetables, beans, and nuts. So far, my clientele has raved about the taste and have reported huge changes in their health and well-being. One, in particular, has lost twenty-five pounds by simply eating my pre-prepared meals. In her last visit to the doctor, the doctor told her “keep doing whatever you are doing because it is working.” I wish to help even more people in their health journeys and educate people on the health benefits of a plant-based diet.

As for Doughlicious Vegan, we want to provide an experience that you cannot get at any other bakery. We pride ourselves on made from scratch items and artisan breads that taste just as good as they look. Our items are from family recipes that you cannot get anywhere else. As the brand grows we will continue to expand the product line up to bring even more doughliciousness to your table. You can catch Doughlicious breads and sweets paired with the Kiyyah’s Plant-Based Kitchen Menu regularly or in The Irwin Street Market daily!

Which women have inspired you in your life?
My mother is my number one inspiration. My mom has worked her butt off her whole life and taught me the value of working hard. She owned a coffee shop when I was younger and was in private practice with her own firm, so I was able to see entrepreneurship first hand. She is now an attorney at a well-known law firm, and from her, I have learned how to navigate life by stepping into my power. More than anything, she embodies strength and resilience. I have seen her be a backbone for so many people. She supports her family and friends without restraint and even in times of struggle, she comes out with a positive attitude.

In addition to my mom, there are so many women who have contributed to my growth over the years. My dance teachers (Lynda Osborne, Omelika Kuumba, Faye McQueen) were my biggest mentors growing up and taught me confidence and hard work. My sorority sisters are huge inspirations. Many of them are also on entrepreneurial journeys and are always willing to offer assistance, recommendations, and shoutouts (Wande Kotun, Randi Hildreth, Meshell Maxam, Brittney Holmes and so many more)! My trainer Stephanie Jones has also been integral in personal growth. She invited me to be a part of her health and wellness program by doing cooking demonstrations, which has helped me share my brand with a larger audience. I am also doing a series of events with my close friend Olivia Richardson with a focus on wellness. It includes yoga, plant-based eats, and women who are being trailblazers in their respective fields. There are so many amazing women in my life that I could go on and on!

Contact Info:

• Address: Kiyyah’s Plant-Based Kitchen
  660 Irwin Street NE
  Atlanta, GA 30312
• Website: www.kiyyahskitchen.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @kiyyahs_plantbasedkitchen

Image Credit:
Vanecia Thompson

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