N.C. A&T Alumni Times

Craig Stokes ’04 is a man who has worn many hats in his career, from being an active U.S. Air Force Reserves officer to a TV personality, producer and actor to a marketing guru. On Jan. 9, he embarked on a new journey by opening a new Chick-fil-A franchise in the Los Angeles area.

“In 2017, I started the application process to franchise a Chick-fil-A and out of 70,000 applicants, I was chosen from among 100 to be selected to start this journey,” said Stokes.

Stokes, a native of Fayetteville, North Carolina, grew up in a military family that instilled in him the importance of trying different things and going after his dreams. He graduated from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University with a bachelor’s degree in architectural engineering. Also, he completed the ROTC program and hosted a radio show on WNAA 90.1 while he was in college.

“Since I was a child, my mom always told me to never put my eggs in one basket and that has stuck with me throughout my life. This life lesson is the reason why I have been so blessed to experience several things in my career,” said Stokes.

Stokes met his wife, Dree Stokes ’03, at North Carolina A&T and after graduation he attended the University of North Carolina at Greensboro to obtain his master’s degree in business administration.

“In 2005, I started my first business as a marketing and graphics company that produced billboards, advertisements and T-shirt designs. Eventually, I navigated my career into acting in short films and plays,” said Stokes.

In 2009, Stokes launched a production company that produced an online series called “Style Minutes” that focused on men’s fashion. The series catapulted him into becoming a fashion correspondent on Fox 8. Also, he landed a national speaking gig through the United Negro College Fund tour that afforded him the opportunity to speak at top universities with celebrities like Malik Yoba and Tatyana Ali.

“Everything was going great during this time. I had started my family and we had relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina,” said Stokes. “However, due to my love and passion for entertainment, I knew that Los Angeles, California was the best opportunity for myself and now my daughter, London, who is aspiring child actor.”

“My wife, who is my biggest supporter, and I decided to jump in 2017 and she ended up securing a job in Northern California. Soon after our move, my daughter and I both landed an acting role in a Clorox commercial that was aired nationally. Our acting careers took off and we were able to secure multiple roles.”

Stokes applied for the Chick-fil-A franchise in June 2017 and received official word in September 2019 that he was selected to open a store.

“Compared to the southern states, Chick-fil-A is not as broad in the Los Angeles areas. Most recently, I met a 70-year-old couple who experienced the restaurant for the first time,” he said. “Also, I have received support from African American customers who are now finding out the business is black-owned.”

Stokes now plans to help his wife set up a women’s health clinic and continue supporting his daughter with her acting career.

“I am learning through this experience as a husband, father and entrepreneur that I do not want my legacy to be defined by a restaurant but by who I can now help and make a difference in their lives.”

Any Aggies interested in visiting the LA area can find Stokes’ Chick-fil-A at 8300 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Canoga Park, CA 91304.