We know the name, we know the face, but do we truly know the person? As the pillar of students’, faculty’s, and staff daily cafeteria runs, Keisha greets all with a smile and a sincere “How are you?” Without fail each day. Often, an interaction with Keisha capstones with an impressive recall of one’s individual cafeteria checkout code: just one of many ways that Keisha makes each person feel special. This in-depth interview features a series of 50 questions with Keisha, where she shares enlightening details about her life and her journey that will help readers answer: Who really is Keisha?

What is your full name? 

What you guys call me, or what’s on my ID? 

What’s on your ID? 

Antissa Henderson. 

Where were you born/raised?

Chicago, Illinois. West Side Chicago. 


How did you get to Parker?

I was transferred here from another account, where I was working with Quest. Quest just transferred me over here because they needed a new cashier. 

How long have you worked at Parker? 

I’ve been at Parker for six years.

Where do you see yourself five years from now or at some point in the future? 

In the future, I will be putting my psychology degree to use. So I plan on doing some kind of therapy or counseling with younger kids. This is why this is like this for me right here.

What is something unique about yourself? 

Something unique that I think is unique about me is that I can draw, and no one knows. 

Is there anything about you that you’ve never told anyone before? 

No, I think I’m really transparent. I’m an open book. 

What is your favorite item in the cafeteria? 

Ooh, that’s hard. If I had to go with one thing, it’d be the blondie. 

What is your favorite lunch special? 

Oh, my God. Mm, my favorite Lunch Special… I don’t know. I’ll go with lasagna. I love lasagna. 

What is your strategy for memorizing people’s cafeteria codes? 

Um, it’s not really a strategy. I kind of have,
I think, more so, a photographic memory. And the sound of your voices. That’s really it.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? 

The best piece of advice I received was to learn how to self-soothe myself. 

How did you enter the field of work you’re in? 

I had been a hairdresser for 20 years, and I just wanted to do something new. I knew that I wanted to do something with kids, and I got an opportunity to come to the school.

Do you have any siblings? 

Yes, it’s 13 of us. I have 12 siblings, plus me. It’s 13 children. 

What is your favorite childhood memory?

Ooh, my favorite childhood memory is learning to ride a bike. 


What is something you are passionate about? 

People, I am very passionate about helping people. 

Is there an experience that you had that has changed your life in some way? 

An experience I had that changed my life was that I experienced a really bad episode of racism towards me. It kind of taught me how not to, even though it’s negative, not take it directly. It taught me not to take things personally. It’s them, not me. 

What does happiness mean to you? 

Happiness is doing things that you enjoy. Things you love, and if you love it, if you like it, it’s not work. You’re not going to have a problem. Happiness is doing things you love to do. 

What environment do you feel most comfortable in? 

I’m a person that is very adaptive, so I can adapt to anything around me. I very rarely get uncomfortable. 

Do you have a favorite Parker tradition? 

Yes, I used to love when we did the Pride Parade for the school, during Pride week. 

What is your biggest motivation in life? 

My biggest motivation in life, to be honest, is my mother. 
My mom is my motivation. 

What’s your favorite holiday? 

Can I say my birthday? Ha! I’ll go with Christmas. 

Do you have a biggest fear?

My biggest fear is that bugs will touch me. I’m so serious. I’m so afraid of bugs you would never even know. 

What do you do over the summers when school isn’t in session? 

I sometimes work at other accounts that Quest also has. And then other times I just relax. But most of the time I’m working at other accounts. 

Are you a morning person or a night person? 

I would say I’m a night person. 

Do you have any pets? 

No, but I love cats. 

Who is the most famous person you’ve ever met? 

The most famous person I ever met was Whitney Houston. 

Do you value family or friends more, or a combination of both? 

A combination, because there are friends that I consider family. 

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you choose? 

China. I really want to go live there. 

What is your favorite movie? 

I want to say Ice Cube’s Friday. It’s such an old school classic. 

What’s your favorite ice cream flavor? 

Strawberry. 

Do you enjoy roller coasters? 

No. Not a fan.

If you could change/implement one thing into the world, what would it be? 

No more racism. 

What makes you happy? 

Besides, food? Laugh. Just being, just waking up. Just waking up to life and living life. 

Do you believe in love? 

Yes. Yes, I do. 

What is your least favorite household chore? 

Taking out the garbage. 

What is the best gift you’ve ever received? 

I want to say my engagement ring. 

Do you practice religion? 

No. No, I don’t.

Have you ever broken a bone? 

Yeah, I broke my wrist. It was here, like three years ago. 

What do you think is the most important quality that someone should have? 

I think that people should be personable. 

Who’s your favorite artist? 

If we’re going with music. Right now I love Beyoncé.  

Do you have a celebrity crush? 

No. No. No, they’re all old now. Like me. But I used to love Idris Elba. He’s British and he was so handsome. 

Do you have a favorite saying or a famous quote that you like to use? 

My famous quote is, “Be careful what you put out in the world, because it will come back to you.”

Do you have a nickname? 

My nickname is Kiki. 

What’s your favorite place you’ve ever been to? 

Miami. It’s so nice there. 

Do you know how to drive? 

Yes. 

Do you have TikTok? Are you on social media? 

Yes, I am. Yeah. 

Have you ever followed a social media trend or been influenced?

Yes. 
Oh, that Chris Brown thing got me. That dancing thing. I’m not good at it, though. 

How do you wish to be recognized by the Parker community and those in your life? 


I would like to be recognized for the things I do: being personable, being mindful, and being loving. 
Just those natural things that people experience with me. That’s it.