Ali Kakande is Nurturing Connection and Culture Through Food and Community

Ali Kakande
Founder, Carib Eats

Ali Kakande is a community-led innovator and entrepreneur whose work is transforming how people gather, grow, and heal. Whether through Carib Eats, her food and culture initiative, or as the founder of Kakande Enterprises, Ali builds spaces that honour heritage, encourage emotional intelligence, and place connection at the centre of leadership.

From hosting weekly canteens to coaching individuals on their personal and professional journeys, Ali leads with intention, warmth, and a clear sense of purpose. As a member of Do it Now Now’s Community Advisory Board, she brings valuable insights shaped by years of lived experience, business knowledge, and deep-rooted community care.

Leading with Empathy and Action

Originally from the North and now based in Hackney, Ali has built her work on the foundation of community. Her background in advice and support services for families and individuals helped shape her approach as a compassionate listener and a natural connector. She is known for creating spaces where people feel welcomed, heard, and valued.

Carib Eats began as an extension of that vision. More than a weekly canteen, it is a space where people come together over Caribbean food to share stories, access support, and feel a sense of belonging. Ali’s approach is simple and consistent: cook, connect, and chat. The initiative tackles food insecurity and social isolation while celebrating cultural pride and human connection.

Creating Systems Rooted in Intuition

Ali’s work under Kakande Enterprises reflects her belief that leadership can be intuitive and values-driven. She supports others through pitching workshops and coaching sessions, helping individuals align their goals with authentic ways of working. Her leadership style is grounded in emotional intelligence, self-trust, and a commitment to building meaningful, people-first systems.

Her journey with Do it Now Now began through its programmes, which she credits for deepening her commitment to community-led change. These experiences affirmed the importance of responsive, inclusive support that prioritises people’s lived realities. Now, as a Community Advisory Board member, she contributes insights that help DiNN deliver even greater impact through training, funding, and leadership development.

A Vision for Sustainable Impact

Ali brings a rare combination of emotional awareness, business strategy, and lived experience to everything she does. She is able to navigate complex challenges with clarity, compassion, and a strong understanding of how to move ideas forward. Her work uplifts Black communities by creating spaces where people are supported and empowered.

Looking ahead, Ali is focused on expanding Carib Eats to reach more people. Her goal is to create spaces across communities where food, culture, and conversation can continue to drive connection and transformation. Her coaching and consulting practice will remain grounded in the same values that guide all of her work: care, clarity, and community.

A Final Word

“Start by exploring what already exists. Connect with the work, offer your skills, and get involved in a way that feels right for you. Every action counts when it’s rooted in intention and care.”

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About the Community Advisory Board at Do it Now Now

At Do it Now Now, we empower Black people with the skills, tools, and resources they need to lead, influence, and create the future, for themselves and their communities. Our values are clear: We are ambitious. We believe in community. We build trust.

The Community Advisory Board plays a central role in shaping how we deliver on our mission. Made up of individuals who have taken part in our programmes, the board brings lived experience, insight and accountability to the heart of our work. Members understand the journey of Black-led charities and social enterprises and use that knowledge to guide our programme design and resource development.

Through quarterly meetings, the Advisory Board co-produces aspects of DiNN’s strategy, research priorities, and storytelling. Members provide valuable feedback, healthy challenge and forward-thinking recommendations, ensuring that our work remains community-led, impact-driven, and aligned with our vision of systemic equity.

Together, we are building stronger foundations for the next generation of Black leaders.