Who Was Charisse McGill? Wiki, Age, Husband, Family, Death & Facts About Lokal Artisan Foods Founder

Charisse McGill was a trailblazing entrepreneur, food innovator, and community leader who passed away unexpectedly on January 15, 2024, at the age of 42. She was the founder and owner of Lokal Artisan Foods, a company that produces and sells French Toast Bites, a popular snack that has become a Philadelphia staple.

She was also the executive director of the Farmers Market Coalition, a national organization that advocates for farmers’ markets and their vendors. She was widely recognized for her creative business savvy, civic engagement, and social impact.

Early Life and Education

Charisse McGill was born in 1981 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Maurice Davidson and Tina Jackson. She grew up in a close-knit family that included her aunt Janis Wallace and uncle Tommy Wallace. She attended Schenley High School, where she graduated in 1999.

She moved to Philadelphia to pursue higher education and earned a bachelor’s degree in sport and recreation management, tourism, and hospitality management from Temple University in 2003.

She also completed a course in meeting and event planning at Temple University’s Center City Campus. She later studied at Delaware County Community College from 2008 to 2009 and obtained an MBA degree in food marketing from Saint Joseph’s University in 2018.

Charisse McGill Wiki/Bio

Career and Achievements

Charisse McGill started her career as a sales associate at the Philadelphia 76ers in 2001 and worked there until 2003. She then joined the Atlantic 10 Conference as an assistant to the commissioner in 2002 and stayed there until 2005. She also worked as a director of special events at Valley Forge Military Academy from 2005 to 2010 and as a manager of special events and corporate partnerships at the Philadelphia Zoo from 2010 to 2013. She then became the director of the Lansdale Farmers Market, where she helped grow the market and its vendors.

In 2018, she launched Lokal Artisan Foods, a company that produces and sells French Toast Bites, a snack made of bite-sized pieces of bread dipped in egg batter and fried, then topped with powdered sugar and maple syrup. She got the idea from her daughter Madison, who started a lemonade stand at the age of 12 and made $6,000 in one summer.

McGill used the money to invest in her business and debuted her product at the Christmas Village in Dilworth Park. Her French Toast Bites were an instant hit and often sold out at various local venues, such as Cherry Street Pier, Spruce Street Harbor Park, Reading Terminal Market, and the Philadelphia Flower Show. She also expanded her product line to include French Toast Bites ice cream, coffee, and spice mix.

In 2021, McGill made history as the first Black woman to sell a signature beer in Pennsylvania. She collaborated with Yards Brewing Company to create French Toast Bites Ale, a brown ale brewed with cinnamon, vanilla, and maple syrup. The beer was a success and sold out in less than a week. McGill also became the first Black woman to own and operate a food establishment at Cherry Street Pier, where she opened a permanent location for Lokal Artisan Foods.

Rise To Fame

In 2023, McGill was appointed as the executive director of the Farmers Market Coalition, a national nonprofit organization that supports and strengthens farmers’ markets and their communities. She was the first Black woman to hold this position and had a vision to increase the diversity and inclusion of farmers’ markets across the country. She also advocated for policies and programs that would benefit farmers, vendors, and consumers.

McGill was featured in various media outlets, such as Forbes, the Today Show, the Philadelphia Inquirer, and the Philadelphia Tribune, for her achievements and contributions. She was also honored with several awards, such as the Philadelphia Business Journal’s 40 Under 40, the Philadelphia Tribune’s 10 People Under 40 to Watch, and the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey’s Women United Award.

Personal Life, Spouse & Kids

Charisse McGill was a single mother to her daughter Madison, who was her inspiration and partner in business. She also lived with her parents Maurice and Tina, who supported her in her endeavors. She was a loving and caring daughter, mother, sister, aunt, and friend to many. She enjoyed traveling, cooking, reading, and spending time with her family and friends.

Death Cause

McGill passed away unexpectedly on January 15, 2024, at the age of 42. The cause of her death was not disclosed. Her family released a statement on her company’s Instagram page, expressing their grief and gratitude. They also announced that Madison would continue to run Lokal Artisan Foods in her memory, with the help of family, friends, staff, and community. They asked for time, compassion, and grace as they mourned their loss.

McGill’s death shocked and saddened many people who knew her or admired her work. She was remembered as a trailblazer, a leader, a mentor, and a role model for many, especially for Black women and young entrepreneurs. She was also praised for her passion, creativity, generosity, and kindness. She left behind a legacy of innovation, impact, and empowerment.

Net worth and Income Sources

Charisse McGill was a trailblazing entrepreneur in the local food industry, best known for her French Toast Bites and Lokal Artisan Foods. She passed away unexpectedly on January 15, 2024, at the age of 42.

According to one source, her net worth was estimated to be around $1 million, as of 2024. However, this figure may not be accurate or verified, and I could not find any official confirmation of her net worth from other sources.

Her main income sources were her Lokal Artisan Foods business, which had five locations across Philadelphia, and her signature products, such as French Toast Bites Spice, French Toast Bites Ale, and French Toast Bites Coffee, which were sold at various venues and supermarkets, such as ShopRite. She also had a licensing agreement with Yards Brewing Company for her French Toast Bites Ale, which made her the first Black woman to sell a signature beer in Pennsylvania.

Additionally, she was the executive director of the Farmers Market Coalition, a national nonprofit organization that advocates for over 8,000 farmers markets across America. She was also a former teacher and lecturer at various educational institutions, such as Benjamin Franklin High School, Rutgers University, and Temple University.

Physical Stats

Controversies

However, she did face some challenges and risks in her entrepreneurial journey, such as losing her biggest client in 2011, resigning from her director-level position in 2018, and launching her business in the middle of a holiday market. She also had to deal with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on her business and the food industry in general.

Despite these difficulties, she remained optimistic, resilient, and determined to pursue her passion and vision. She also inspired and empowered many others, especially young people and women of color, to follow their dreams and become entrepreneurs

Charisse McGill was a trailblazing entrepreneur, food innovator, and community leader who passed away unexpectedly on January 15, 2024, at the age of 42. She was the founder and owner of Lokal Artisan Foods, a company that produces and sells French Toast Bites, a popular snack that has become a Philadelphia staple.

She was featured in various media outlets, such as Forbes, the Today Show, the Philadelphia Inquirer, and the Philadelphia Tribune, for her achievements and contributions. She was honored with several awards, such as the Philadelphia Business Journal’s 40 Under 40, the Philadelphia Tribune’s 10 People Under 40 to Watch, and the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey’s Women United Award.

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