Kevin Johnson walked into the heart of Paradise Valley with a purpose. The former NBA All-Star and Sacramento mayor had played in Detroit for years, spending time out in Auburn Hills, but never truly felt the pulse of the city until he began this journey. Detroit was more than just a city; it was a living, breathing testament to Black resilience and culture. “I played here in the NBA for many years and I was always out in Auburn Hills, and I always heard how cool Detroit was. I know for sure that Detroit is fire,” Johnson said with an unmistakable admiration in his voice. And now, with the opening of his newest venture, Fixins Soul Kitchen, Johnson isn’t just visiting; he’s planting roots in the soil of Detroit’s rich Black history.
Kevin Johnson’s decision to open Fixins Soul Kitchen in Paradise Valley wasn’t just about finding a prime location—it was about reclaiming a piece of Detroit’s Black history. It’s a return to the roots of a community that once thrived with over 300 Black-owned businesses. Johnson, knows the significance of this neighborhood. He didn’t just choose Paradise Valley because of its potential; he chose it because of its legacy.
“When I came to Detroit, I wanted to go to the Black community,” Johnson said. “I learned a lot about Black Bottom and Paradise Valley. I was recruited to go to other places around downtown, but I was like, ‘I gotta be in Paradise Valley.’” Johnson’s commitment to this historic district is evident in every detail of Fixins Soul Kitchen.
The grand opening of Fixins Soul Kitchen is more than just a new place to eat. It’s a celebration of Detroit’s rich cultural history and a nod to the city’s future. The restaurant, with its Motown-inspired decor and soulful menu, is a place where the past and present meet. Every inch of the space reflects Detroit’s legacy, from the walls adorned with Black cultural icons to the menu that pays homage to Black culture culinary traditions.
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Johnson and his wife, Michelle, founded Fixins in 2019 with a simple goal: to serve the meals that Johnson grew up with, deeply rooted in Southern traditions passed down through generations. The menu at Fixins is a tribute to the soul food that has been a cornerstone of Black culture for centuries. From the signature chicken and waffles to deep-fried deviled eggs, every dish tells a story of history and adaptation.
Photo Credit: Nicole Ashley Allen
Photo Credit: Nicole Ashley Allen
But Fixins is more than just good food. It’s a place where community comes first. Johnson’s commitment to uplifting Black businesses is evident in every aspect of the restaurant. The bar serves drinks exclusively from Black-owned distilleries, making sure that even the spirits contribute to the local economy. “We want to bring and build a sense of pride,” Johnson said. “We want to make people proud. We understand that it’s a significant responsibility for us to be invited into a community. We have to bring it. We have to deliver.”
Opening its doors in Detroit marked the fourth location for Fixins, with the first three thriving in Sacramento, Tulsa, and Los Angeles. Each city brings its own cultural nuances, but the mission remains the same: honor Black culture through food and space. While Los Angeles blends the old and new with its West Coast flair, Detroit offers a different kind of history—one grounded in the rhythms of jazz, Motown, and the relentless industrious spirit that made the city famous. Fixins embraces all of that, creating a cultural footprint that pays homage to the past while paving a path for future growth.
Photo Credit: Nicole Ashley Allen
Johnson’s thoughtful approach to every detail reflects his deep understanding of what this location means to the community. The Paradise Valley location stands as a testament to the city’s history but also to its future. Working with Detroit-based architect Rainy Hamilton Jr. of Hamilton Anderson Associates, Fixins is housed in a building steeped in Black history. Hamilton has been rooted in Paradise Valley for nearly 30 years, making him the longest-standing tenant in the district. His involvement ensures that the space resonates with the legacy of the area.
Hamilton’s designs bring a modern touch to a building that once housed the Detroit Seafood Market and Intermezzo. The $4 million investment into the space reflects Johnson’s commitment to making a lasting impact, not just through food but through economic opportunities. Fixins is expected to generate $5 million annually and create nearly 100 jobs, feeding both the community and its economy. Johnson’s decision to locate in Paradise Valley wasn’t just about honoring the past—it was about building the future.
Photo: Rainy Hamilton Jr. of Hamilton Anderson Associates and Kevin Johnson
Photo Credit: Nicole Ashley Allen
The history of Paradise Valley and Black Bottom is one of both triumph and loss. In its heyday, Paradise Valley thrived with Black-owned nightclubs, law firms, and businesses that created an economic and cultural ecosystem. Renowned venues like the Paradise Theatre hosted legendary musicians like Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald, filling the streets with music that echoed far beyond Detroit. But the Urban Renewal Program of the late 1950s, followed by the construction of the Chrysler Freeway in the 1960s, led to the displacement of many residents and the dismantling of these culturally vibrant neighborhoods.
Fixins Soul Kitchen represents a return to that sense of community pride and economic empowerment. As Detroit experiences a renaissance, with new investments and restoration initiatives, Fixins steps in as more than just another restaurant. It is a symbol of the city’s cultural resurgence, a beacon of hope for a future that honors the strength of the past.
Photo: Tommy ‘The Hitman’ Hearns, former professional boxer and Kevin Johnson
Photo Credit: Nicole Ashley Allen
This isn’t just about food—it’s about Black ownership, Black culture, and Black pride. Johnson’s commitment to the community goes beyond the walls of Fixins, extending into the streets of Detroit and beyond. With plans to expand to 50 locations across the country, Fixins is more than a restaurant chain; it’s a cultural movement.
Johnson’s vision for Fixins extends beyond just serving food—it’s about creating spaces that reflect the pride and power of Black culture. “We want to make people proud,” Johnson repeats with sincerity. His journey from the NBA to politics, and now to the culinary world, is a testament to his dedication to uplifting his community.
Fixins Soul Kitchen is now a part of Detroit’s evolving story, blending history, culture, and cuisine into a celebration of what it means to be Black in America. And as the plates continue to fill and the music plays, it’s clear that Fixins is here to stay—both as a restaurant and a community cornerstone. The soulful revolution that began in Paradise Valley is now feeding the future, one bite at a time.
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