MINNEAPOLIS, MN — From growing up on Minneapolis’ Northside to becoming an entrepreneur, community advocate, and educator, Ashantae Braxton is building a legacy centered on creating opportunities for others.
At just 24 years old, Braxton has established herself in several areas, including business, education, and community recognition. Her journey reflects determination, resilience, and a commitment to giving back to the neighborhood that helped shape her.
Most recently, Minneapolis Public Schools recognized Braxton as one of its October 2026 MPS Shines winners, highlighting her dedication to students at Camden High School.
However, her story began long before the recognition.
From North Minneapolis to Finding Her Purpose
Growing up in North Minneapolis, Braxton credits community programs with helping her discover opportunities beyond the challenges surrounding her.
Among those influences was the WE WIN Institute, an Afrocentric youth development organization. She also participated in programs at local community centers, including the YMCA, Folwell, and North Commons.
Those experiences helped shape her understanding of mentorship, community investment, and the importance of giving young people positive opportunities.
As a student at Patrick Henry High School, now known as Camden High School, Braxton also developed her talents on the basketball court.
But one unexpected moment would dramatically change her life.
A Young Mother With an Unexpected Journey
While still a high school student-athlete, Braxton experienced a cryptic pregnancy, meaning she was unaware she was pregnant until shortly before giving birth.
According to a February 2024 North News profile, Braxton gave birth to her daughter, Miracle, following a basketball game against North High School.
At the time, she was pursuing opportunities to continue playing basketball beyond high school.
Becoming a mother changed her plans, but it also helped shape her determination to build a future for herself and her daughter.
Rather than allowing that unexpected experience to define her limitations, Braxton began exploring new opportunities.
One of those opportunities came through her passion for cooking.
Turning a Cooking Side Hustle Into It’s Good Food
What began as preparing and selling meals to classmates eventually developed into Braxton’s catering and meal preparation business, It’s Good Food.
She started small, cooking meals and selling food from her truck while working to support herself and her daughter.
Over time, the side hustle grew into a full-time business.
Her entrepreneurial journey was featured in North News in 2024, highlighting how she transformed her passion for cooking into an opportunity to provide for her family.
Braxton has also shared that she competed in the Favorite Chef competition associated with celebrity chef Carla Hall, reporting an 11th-place finish in 2023 and a fifth-place finish in 2024.
For Braxton, entrepreneurship became more than earning an income. It became a way to build independence and create possibilities for the future.
Creating the Minneapolis Braxton Awards
Braxton eventually expanded her vision beyond the kitchen.
She founded the Minneapolis Braxton Awards, an initiative designed to recognize individuals whose talents, contributions, and community impact might otherwise go unnoticed.
The awards celebrate a range of people, including local performers, entrepreneurs, community leaders, and everyday workers.
The initiative also connects directly with the Twin Cities’ creative community by recognizing individuals contributing to local entertainment and culture.
According to Braxton, February 11 has been designated Braxton Awards Day, a milestone she identifies as one of her proudest accomplishments.
Her broader vision is to use recognition and collaboration to reinvest resources into the community.
Rather than focusing exclusively on established names, Braxton wants to create opportunities for individuals who may not have access to traditional platforms.
Expanding Her Vision Through The BraxPrint Method
Braxton’s entrepreneurial work has continued through the development of The BraxPrint Method, a branding and visibility initiative.
According to her public account, the project reached more than 10,000 people during its first week.
She also reports establishing more than 40 collaborations, including relationships with corporate brands.
Through this work, Braxton aims to help individuals and organizations strengthen their visibility, develop professional relationships, and expand their opportunities.
Her approach reflects a recurring theme throughout her journey: using the resources and connections she develops to help others move forward.
Minneapolis Public Schools Recognizes Braxton’s Impact
While Braxton continues building her businesses and community initiatives, she has also returned to the school community that helped shape her.
On October 15, 2026, Minneapolis Public Schools announced Braxton as one of its October MPS Shines winners.
The district identified her as an educational support professional and reading interventionist at Camden High School.
Her work includes supporting students with literacy development, helping build confidence in the classroom, and strengthening relationships with students and families.
Outside regular classroom responsibilities, Braxton also leads a student dance crew and participates in after-school homework assistance.
Her recognition highlighted her willingness to contribute to school activities and create positive experiences for students.
For someone who benefited from youth programs while growing up in North Minneapolis, the opportunity to support another generation carries personal meaning.
Building a Legacy That Reaches Beyond Recognition
Despite her accomplishments, Braxton says she is still learning, growing, and working toward her educational goals.
She continues pursuing her associate degree while balancing motherhood, entrepreneurship, education, and community initiatives.
Her story is not simply about overcoming an unexpected challenge or building successful ventures.
It is also about what happens when someone who benefited from community support decides to provide that same support to others.
In reflecting on her journey, Braxton shared a question that captures her approach to success:
“Because what good is the blessing if it stops with you?”
For Braxton, the goal is not simply to leave North Minneapolis behind. It is to help create more opportunities for the people who come after her.
And through her work with students, entrepreneurs, and local talent, she is continuing to build on that mission.
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