Photos By: Danielle Villasana
“The Nubian Queen” Lola Bell was homeless before she opened a little Cajun restaurant off the corner of Rosewood and Chicon on the Eastside of Austin,TX. Her life complete with all of its hardships led her to where she is today: she is a miracle that blesses the streets of 12th and Chicon and has become somewhat of a star in the local Austin community. The money she makes from her restaurant goes towards feeding the homeless—not just once a week on Sundays, but every day for almost every meal. Anybody can expect a hot meal at the Municipal House (a building owned by her husband) which is located right off the corner of 12th and Chicon. Eli, her friend and helper from Trinidad, is there every day dishing out the food that Lola cooked fresh that morning. It is Lola’s strong belief and faith in God that fuel her passion to do good for the community. With a troubled past of loss, drugs, destitution, and hopelessness, Lola found her path in goodwill and faith.
In addition to keeping her six-year old business alive, she is constantly busy keeping her faith alive. On Wednesdays she closes her restaurant for thirty minutes to speak on Sister Hallelujah’s talk show. Lola preaches from the Bible and gives words of hope and compassion for anybody who might be listening. She speaks of her own struggles, misfortunes, and sorrows but with the wisdom of one who has overcome and who wishes the same for others. On Monday and Sunday evenings she spends a few hours at the Municipal House to talk with people from the neighborhood, give advice and encouragement, and share the warmth of a homemade meal. Every Saturday she drives an hour and 45 minutes to visit with her husband for two hours while they sit within the confines of a prison. Her husband Otis Bell has been incarcerated for 22 years, yet Lola keeps her faith in God that one day he will be free. Every Sunday she closes the restaurant on Rosewood to serve food and spend time with the homeless at the Municipal House. And, speckled in between all of these moments, she makes time for her daughters, prayer, food and clothing drives, and cleaning the streets.
Lola never stops. Her energy is contagious and her spirit remarkable. She is an amazing force of energy and her mission of goodwill is unstoppable and unforgettable. She does not judge and her capacity for compassion is limitless. She has an open heart and open arms and blesses the world with positivity.
“When homelessness is hell and homelessness and poverty are public policy, and when housing does not precede life and liberty is a cracked bell and equality is propaganda, then fear is planted, hate is harvested; the American Dream becomes the American Nightmare.”
–As found in Lola Bell’s handwriting
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