Alum’s Soulful Beginnings: Norma Jean’s nourishes both palates and community
Photos and story by Misty Bouse
Owner Marquise Cross took business classes at PCC that helped his restaurant be successful.
August is National Black Business Month, providing an opportunity for the community to support and celebrate Black-owned businesses in the Portland area. As a result, Portland Community College is highlighting great local businesses of owners who have taken a class or utilized a support service at the college.
Nominated in their first year for Best Soul Food and Family Friendly Restaurant, Norma Jean’s Soul Cuisine is more than just a place to eat—it is a community hub. With a menu of soul food classics, Norma Jean’s also offers dishes like cajun chicken and shrimp pasta, citrus blackened salmon and award-winning brisket mac. Plus, house specialties like crawfish etouffée and whole dungeness crab, served with red beans and rice, greens and oxtails.
Cajun fried shrimp.
But the heart of Norma Jean’s is Portland Community College alum Marquise Cross, whose commitment to making guests feel at home is as vital as the scrumptiousness.
Located in Northeast Portland, the restaurant’s proximity to Cross’s childhood home holds deep significance.
“As a kid, when my grandmother cooked homemade meals for us, I felt loved, appreciated and valued,” he said. “Now, I strive to make our customers feel at home like I did.”
As a teenager, Cross wanted to open a restaurant. But his success simmered until 2000, when it boiled.
“I always knew I would become a restaurateur, so I enrolled in business classes at PCC,” Cross said. “I went solely to add to my skills as a future business owner. I took business management, accounting, speech, and various business-related classes. All of these have helped me in business today.”
Then the pandemic became a flipping point. Cross launched Gourmet Brothers Catering, eventually leading to food carts and then the opening of Norma Jean’s Soul Cuisine in 2023, named in honor of his grandmother. But Norma Jean’s is dedicated to more than just great food; it’s committed to the people.
“We’re here to serve the community with love, care and concern—and most importantly, taste—but we also do our part for the less fortunate,” said Cross.
The restaurant hosts free food events throughout the year, reflecting his commitment to giving back. He also believes in the importance of supporting local businesses.
‘We’re here to serve the community with love, care and concern,’ said Cross.
“I think it’s important to highlight the great work of Black-owned businesses because a lot of times we come from underserved communities and don’t have a lot of resources available to us historically,” Cross added. “Including, but not limited to, loan and grant access; being unfairly pushed out of buildings; and in some cases, targeted.
“All in all, I appreciate the opportunity to give voice to this and to share my journey,” he continued. “I’ll continue to do my part to support my community.”
PCC’s SBDC has helped thousands of business owners like Jefferson’s over the last four decades. The center combines one-on-one business advising with training programs taught by business experts, giving small business clients the resources they need to grow.
For more information about PCC’s SBDC, check out www.pcc.edu/professional/small-business/
About Misty Bouse
A Portland Community College public relations specialist, Misty Bouse has been working in college advancement for a decade. A graduate of University of Oregon, Misty has worked as a managing editor for BUILDERNews Magazine and as a contribu... more »