By: Terry Allen
A Tribute to KiKi Shepard
Big Mama used to say, “If God put it in you, don’t wait on the world to make room for you… bend the world to your will.”
This week, those words hit my spirit in a deeper way as I learned of the passing of my friend, fellow Texan, cultural icon, and City Men Cook ambassador, Kiki Shepard.
The title of this column is not just a saying — it is a way of living.
Bending the world to your will requires intense focus, relentless persistence, and a refusal to accept limitations placed on you by others. It means walking into rooms that were not built for you and leaving them changed because you showed up with purpose, discipline, and love. That was KiKi.
The world knew her as the elegant and powerful presence from Showtime at the Apollo, but those of us blessed to know her personally knew something even greater. She carried herself with a quiet strength that didn’t demand attention — it commanded respect. When KiKi walked into a space, the atmosphere lifted.
I had the privilege of sharing many conversations with her about our Texas roots, about community, and about the work it takes to run nonprofits and keep our people lifted. We talked often about how service is not something you do when it’s convenient — it’s something you live. KiKi understood that. She lived that.
She supported City Men Cook, she supported the culture, and she supported the idea that excellence is not optional for us — it is required.
Big Mama also said, “Love will take you places talent alone can’t carry you.”
KiKi bent the world to her will, not with force, but with grace, consistency, and love. She never stopped believing that we could do more, be more, and build more for our community.
And I thank God that I lived in a time when I could call her my friend.
Her walk was royal, her spirit was kind, and her legacy will keep moving through all of us who learned from her example.
Love you, KiKi.
And as Big Mama said — keep bending the world, but do it with love!
Terry Allen is an NABJ award-winning Journalist, DEI expert, PR professional, and founder of the charity – Vice President at FocusPR, Founder of City Men Cook, and Dallas Chapter President of NBPRS.org
