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Mother Josephine Wade's, "Josephine's Southern Cooking” situated in Chicago’s working-class neighborhood of Chatham, has been a pillar in the community for more than 30 years.

Josephine, with her southern charm and determination to create a better future for her people, established a home for political figures looking for words of wisdom, encouragement, and prayers. Josephine’s was also a safe-haven for at-risk youth and a place where those looking for a job could find employment, but above all, it was the place to come and have a fantastic, down-home, southern meal.

Josephine’s is a place where many local and national celebrities called home. The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, made it a point to visit Josephine’s each time she was in town for a delicious bowl of her famous Gumbo. Other high-profile guests include former Mayer Rahm Emanuel and Mr. T.

Many people called her “Mother” because of her nurturing ways, and in the Spring of 2017, the city of Chicago honored her by naming 79th Street Mother Josephine Wade Way.