Giving back is among the most important and valuable things an entrepreneur can do — PERIOD.
Peoria natives Alecia Collins and Lakika Banks did exactly that Friday, May 1, 2020, near downtown Salvation Army, feeding over one-hundred homeless men and women catered by Little Caesars Pizza.
Both of these women are hometown entrepreneurs who are always willing and ready to give back in any necessary way, especially now since the country has been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Recently, Lakika relocated to another state. Visually witnessing celebrities, small businesses, and charities giving back to the community with meal donations inspired her to move forward to give back in her hometown.
Lakika reached out to Alecia, an entrepreneur and author here in Peoria; both ladies have similar backgrounds, growing up on the northside of Peoria and raised by a single mother in low-income housing. They’ve overcome by trial and error, beating the odds they once faced and leaping out on faith to achieve their goals, led to some of the reasoning for giving back.
The vision was simple “Serve with Purpose.” The ladies shared the news the day after on social media with just a simple picture of them both and Little Caesars hot and ready pizzas in the backseat with a message that read, “God put us in position to make it happen.”
Successfully they were able to give back without media attention, nor standing ovation, but using the goodness of their hearts to give back to their community.
Lakika is the owner of M&K Moving and Packing Company, Kika B Unlimited, and is designing her shoe line. Alecia is the owner of Maid on the Run Cleaning Services Inc., and the author of two books, “Don’t Judge Me I’m Only Human,” and “Her Essence of Empowerment,” scheduled to be published the summer of 2020.
Jalyssa Stone is the daughter of Alecia Collins. She is an incoming sophomore at Richwoods High School, involved in the International Baccalaureate Program, track and cheer team. Her specific future goal is becoming an Obstetrician/Gynecologist.
The Traveler Weekly 