ABOUT US

Dabriah Rice is the founder and CEO of Divine Catering & Events LLC (DC&E), a locally owned and family-operated company celebrating 20 years of providing trusted catering and event coordination services to the Dayton community. DC&E offers Southern Style cuisine options as well as a traditional American menu, catering to prestigious clients including The Dayton Arcade, Miami Valley Hospital, GE Aviation, Synchrony Financial, and The City of Dayton.

Pursuing a career in the food industry was a natural path for Dabriah, who comes from a long line of culinary artists. Her love for cooking was instilled at an early age, and her vision was to create a full-service event planning business that would become a cornerstone of the community. Since its inception in 2006, Dabriah's delectable food, elegant presentation, and impeccable service have made DC&E a strong competitor in the field of culinary arts. Her specialty is soul food, with signature dishes including her mouthwatering macaroni & cheese and her own dessert creation, Strawberry Delight.

Dabriah's educational background includes a culinary arts degree from Sinclair Community College, where she is a featured Sinclair Alumnus at 'A Vintage Affair'. She has also successfully completed the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program, which provided crucial foundations in business strategy and growth.

In 2020, Dabriah launched the Divine Catering & Events Scholarship fund, providing students with opportunities to pursue careers in the Hospitality and Culinary Arts industry. Her commitment to community service includes her former role as Board President of SoLoved, a project-based organization in Dayton dedicated to community outreach. She currently serves on the advisory board of the Creative Working Group for The Contemporary Dayton and the ECDI Women's Business Center of Greater Dayton.

In her most ambitious project to date, Dabriah partnered with fellow entrepreneurs Charlynda Scales and Jamaica White to create the 6888 Kitchen Incubator, which opened its doors in March 2024 in downtown Dayton. As Executive Director of the OH Taste Foundation, Dabriah leads the organization's mission to empower food entrepreneurs and strengthen the local food economy. This state-of-the-art facility provides aspiring food entrepreneurs with access to a full commercial kitchen, including prep and storage space, along with educational tools through their Sharpen the Axe program—a comprehensive financial literacy and business coaching course. The 6888 Kitchen Incubator has been honored with the 2025 BBB Spark Award, the 2025 Bob and Norma Ross Outstanding Leadership Award from Dayton Unit NAACP, and was named Game Changers by Who's Who in Black Cincinnati/Dayton—recognition that reflects the power of collective work in transforming the local food economy.

Dabriah is also co-owner of DCE Management Company, which aims to increase efficiency, growth, and innovation in the local food economy by empowering shared-use kitchens and their food businesses. Her entrepreneurial efforts have been recognized in the PBS special "Waking the Giant", which spotlights the revitalization of the Dayton Arcade.

As a Black female business owner, Dabriah has broken barriers in the corporate world, creating successful businesses while providing growth opportunities for others in her community. Her work ethic, entrepreneurial spirit, and commitment to giving back have earned her nominations for prestigious awards, including the 2024 People's Choice Black Business Award.

Dabriah attends Revival Center Ministries International, serving alongside her husband, Youth Leader and Minister Darryll Rice. They have two daughters, Demi and Denim. Through her various roles as a wife, mother, business owner, and philanthropist, Dabriah continues to inspire and empower others while giving all glory to God for her success.