Carrying Forward a Legacy of Service: The 6888 Kitchen Incubator

In 1945, 855 Black women of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, commanded by Dayton native Lt. Col. Charity Adams Earley, faced what seemed like an impossible task: sorting through millions of pieces of backlogged mail for U.S. service members in Europe. Working in shifts around the clock, they adopted the motto: "No Mail, Low Morale." Against all odds, they completed their six-month mission in just three months.

Today, as Tyler Perry's "Six Triple Eight" movie prepares to share their story with the world, we're carrying forward their legacy of determination and service through the 6888 Kitchen Incubator in Dayton's historic Arcade.

6888th Battalion of the Postal Service

A New Mission, The Same Spirit

Just as the Six Triple Eight cleared paths of communication for millions, we're clearing paths to success for under-resourced food entrepreneurs. Our mission began when three Black women business owners – Charlynda Scales, Dabriah Rice, and Jamaica White – came together around a shared vision: to create opportunities for aspiring food entrepreneurs who face seemingly impossible odds.

"What the women of the Six Triple Eight taught us is that with determination, organization, and community support, no obstacle is too great," says Charlynda Scales, co-founder of the 6888 Kitchen Incubator. "We channel their spirit every day as we work to transform dreams into thriving businesses."

Breaking Through Barriers

The women of the Six Triple Eight faced discrimination and limited resources, yet their dedication never wavered. Today, our kitchen members face their own challenges:
- Limited access to commercial kitchen space
- Lack of capital and business training
- Few mentorship opportunities

Through our Sharpen the Axe program, we've already helped 44 food entrepreneurs develop their business skills. Six of them are now inaugural members of our kitchen incubator, with space to grow their businesses. But like the Six Triple Eight, we know our mission is far from complete.

Join Our 30-Day Countdown to History

As we count down to the release of Tyler Perry's "Six Triple Eight," we're launching a 30-day campaign to raise $10,000 for education, scholarships, and workshops. These funds will help us:
- Provide kitchen scholarships for under-resourced entrepreneurs
- Expand our business training programs
- Offer specialized workshops and mentorship

Honor Their Legacy, Support Tomorrow's Leaders

Giving Levels:
- Battalion Commander: $1,000
- Company Leader: $688
- Squad Leader: $300
- Mail Carrier: $150
- Team Member: $75
- Support Unit: $35

Each contribution of $68.88 or above will be entered into a raffle for a commemorative gift honoring both the Six Triple Eight Battalion and our kitchen's founding mission.

Just as each piece of mail represented a vital connection for service members abroad, each dollar you contribute represents hope and opportunity for an aspiring entrepreneur. The women of the Six Triple Eight showed us what's possible when we refuse to accept limitations. Now it's our turn to carry their legacy forward.

Will you join us in this mission? Together, we can ensure their spirit of service and determination lives on through the next generation of business leaders.

ONE TEAM, ONE FIGHT

Charlynda, Dabriah and Jamaica

---

"We are providing a launching pad for business owners to acquire the skills that they need to be successful while creating an opportunity for them to connect with each other and share best practices. We want this to be a beacon of light for our community." - Jamaica White, Chief Operating Officer, OH Taste Foundation

Pictured: Stanley and Judith Earley, children of Charity Adams Earley.

Follow our journey and check here often to see our progress

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/6888...

Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@6888ki...

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/6888k...

Board of Directors for the 6888 Kitchen Incubator

This campaign is driven by founders Charlynda Scale, Dabriah Rice, and Jamaica White, who have stepped up to the plate with the full support of the A-List team of board members to conceptualize and develop the complete plan to make the kitchen incubator a reality.

Celebrating the Six Triple Eight Legacy

By OH Taste

Celebrating the Six Triple Eight Legacy

Honoring the past while empowering the future food entreprenuers of Dayton