Shekela Hutchinson is the Founder and CEO of Hutchinson Faithful Enterprises, LLC and Z’s Southern Kitchen LLC, a proud U.S. Army veteran, and a dedicated leader in both federal acquisition and community service. With a Master’s in Procurement & Acquisition Management, a Culinary Arts certificate, and near completion of her Doctorate in Organizational Leadership, Shekela brings more than 25 years of cradle-to-grave federal contracting experience and over 20 years in the food service and hospitality industry. Her distinguished career has earned her numerous accolades, including the Commander’s Excellence in Contract Management Award, the USMC Certificate of Commendation, the DHS/ICE Impact Award, 2022 Stafford County Most Influential Women, and Best of Stafford – Chef (2021 & 2022).
As a community servant, Shekela is deeply committed to fighting food insecurity and uplifting families across Stafford and the greater region. She led the DMV to Texas initiative, filling a 53-foot trailer with supplies for families impacted by Texas ice storms. For the past eleven years, she has organized an annual Holiday Care Drive, providing food and essential items to hundreds of families through organizations like S.E.R.V.E., UnMasked Inc., Thrive Inc.—where she also serves on the Board of Directors—and several local shelters. In 2025, she partnered with UnMasked Inc. to feed more than 2,100 individuals for Thanksgiving, and during the federal government shutdown, she used her food truck to feed 350 furloughed workers at no cost.
Her passion for service also extends to mental health advocacy. After seeing the effects of PTSD and stress on loved ones, Shekela became a mental health coach and now serves on the Board of Directors for NAMI Prince William County. As a HomeFront Provider, she supports military families navigating mental health challenges. She is currently developing Grace Over Destruction, a wellness program dedicated to teaching individuals the power of self-care, resilience, and prioritizing personal well-being in the face of hardship.
Shekela is also a proud member of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. (Prince William County Chapter) and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Who She Is: A servant-leader, businesswoman, chef, advocate, and community builder.
What She Does: Trains and advises federal agencies, operates successful culinary businesses, leads regional outreach initiatives, and supports mental health advocacy efforts.
Why She Does It: Because she believes in service before self, in strengthening communities through compassion and action, and in creating spaces where people feel supported, fed, and seen.
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~Cherice Taylor, Contributing Writer