WASHINGTON — Howard University graduates behind a very popular business in the District called Jerk At Nite are sharing their story as they celebrate more success during the Historically Black and Colleges and University's (HBCU) homecoming.
This weekend, the two will be awarded for their entrepreneurship by The Mecca. As the men behind the business earn this award and the school celebrates 100 years, they’re taking WUSA9 through their journey.
It all started inside Drew Hall at Howard University in 2012, and the creative concepts cultivated a career and business.
“Let’s just focus and give Howard the love and attention it needs, and we’ll see where it’s going to go,” Jerk At Nite co-founder Denville Myrie Jr. said.
Myrie was a Jamaican student at Howard that took his experimental cooking to new heights.
12 years later, the Howard University graduates behind Caribbean restaurant Jerk At Nite are thriving.
They just opened a new franchisee at the University of Maryland. New locations are coming soon in Baltimore and Detroit.
Now they have a deal to sell some food items at Capital One Arena during the Washington Capitals and Wizards seasons.
“For me it means everything,” co-founder Kadeem Todd said. “When you’re in that Howard bubble you’re just trying to prove yourself and make a name for yourself and then to actually establish yourself as a business where you’re able to give back and provide jobs for others and students it feels good.”
The group saw a need for more late-night food options. The Jamaican jerk chicken they made in their dorm room was a hit. In 2013, they started delivering meals around campus — with the proceeds they brought their first food truck in 2015 and then a second truck in 2017.
As their business continues, they're still reminded of the journey from their customers daily.
“The same customers that were freshman they come to our store, and they haven’t been to DC in two years after they graduated and they come to us that’s when it gets emotional like we’re going a good thing in the community,” Myrie said.
As they continue to climb, they offer advice to other HBCU students.
“The main thing is not giving up plan on finishing,” Myrie said.
“You are going to learn a lot during the journey of it don’t be afraid and don’t research yourself to get afraid of doing something new,” Todd said.
When WUSA9 asked about where they see themselves in the next couple of years, they said they want to set up a truck at other HBCU’s and hopefully host vendors program with students share more business tips with entrepreneurs and help fund them.