Genelle Brooks-Petty, co-owner of All Chill Ice Cream, discusses community development in South LA, the challenges of preserving cultural legacy in Leimert Park, and the power of ice cream as a unifier across age, class, and cultural lines.
Genelle is a close friend’s older sister. I’d been to her home for community gatherings, birthday parties, and even a holiday, but we never really spoke beyond pleasantries—until now. Even then, she always gave off big sister vibes. She’s got her shit together, and it shows.
Leimert Park’s All Chill Ice Cream, which she owns with her husband Julian Petty (whom she met at Howard University), reflects their love of hip hop, ice cream, and community—a true marriage of culture and flavor.
But All Chill was the culmination of Genelle Brooks-Petty’s lifelong dedication to community, culture, and creativity—a path that took her from Howard University to a career in interior architecture and ultimately back to her roots in South LA.
From Architecture to Ice Cream: Genelle’s Journey
It’s clear that All Chill is the product of a lifetime of experiences, challenges, and deeply held values. Genelle was raised in Los Angeles and later attended Howard University. Her path was shaped by both her academic pursuits and her family’s rich cultural heritage. “I’m a fifth-generation HBCU graduate,” she beams. “Choosing to go to Howard was one of the best decisions I’ve made. It still impacts my life today.”
After Howard, Genelle’s career took her through the creative worlds of music, fashion, and public relations. She spent years working between New York and Los Angeles, building a diverse portfolio and exploring her passions. Yet, there was a pull toward something more. Something that could combine her love for creativity with a tangible impact on her community. “I was ready to be back in LA, back home,” she reflects. “I wanted to do something that felt more permanent, something that would last.”
This desire led her to interior architecture, where she blended her creative skills with her commitment to community building. “Architecture is not just about aesthetics; it’s about how spaces shape our lives,” Genelle explains. She pursued a master’s degree in interior architecture. “I like being qualified to do what I do.”
All Chill, then, is not just a business—it’s a manifestation of everything Genelle has learned and experienced. It’s a place where her design philosophy, her love for her community, and her passion for cultural preservation all come together.
It was about creating a space that feels like home, where the culture of South LA is celebrated and where people can connect over something as simple as ice cream.
All Chill: A Love Letter to Leimert Park
For Genelle, All Chill is a love letter to Leimert Park, a neighborhood rich in history and culture. “Leimert Park is where my family put down roots after moving from Louisiana in the 1940s and 50s,” she said. “It’s always been a special place for me.” The shop, adorned with hip hop memorabilia, is a tribute to the music that has influenced her life and a nod to the vibrant arts scene in the area.
Ice cream is ageless, genderless, and classless—in the best possible way.
Genelle explains her choice to use ice cream as the medium for bringing people together. At All Chill, every flavor tells a story, whether it’s a tribute to her Southern roots or an exploration of the diverse cultures that make up Los Angeles.
“I don’t serve vanilla,” she states firmly. “Historically, Black people weren’t served vanilla because it was considered too white for us. So we got creative—that’s why old Black folks love butter pecan.”
Inclusivity is at the heart of All Chill’s menu, with non-dairy options making up half of their offerings. “Our top-selling flavor, Cookies and Cream, is non-dairy,” she smiles. “It started as a bit of a joke—I only made it non-dairy because I thought it was boring. But it turned out to be a hit, and now it’s a staple.” This blend of creativity, history, and cultural pride is what makes All Chill more than just an ice cream shop—it’s a place where community and culture are celebrated with every scoop.
The Cost of Doing Business
Running a brick-and-mortar business in California is not for the faint of heart. The challenges are many, from high real estate costs to the pressures of gentrification. For Genelle, these challenges are not just obstacles—they’re part of a larger battle to preserve the cultural integrity of neighborhoods like Leimert Park.
Land banking is a huge issue here,” she explained. “It’s not just about owning property—it’s about what that property represents, who it serves, and who it displaces.
Recently, Genelle faced a significant challenge when the building housing All Chill was sold to an outside buyer, despite her efforts to purchase it. The sale, which occurred while she was out of the country, left her feeling blindsided. “I’m in a bit of purgatory as it relates to the store,” she admits. “The new owners haven’t given their tenants leases historically, so there’s a lot of uncertainty.”
But Genelle’s resilience shines through. She’s prepared to move her operation within the community if necessary, determined to keep All Chill as a fixture in Leimert Park. “We’ll be okay,” she said confidently. “The community support has been overwhelming, and that’s what keeps me going.”
Entrepreneurship and Resilience
As a Black woman entrepreneur, Genelle has navigated a slew of challenges. From being undermined and questioned to dealing with blatant mansplaining, she has faced it all with grace, determination, and integrity.
My stomach will grumble before I do anything not aligned with my values.
Genelle’s advice to aspiring Black women entrepreneurs is simple yet profound: resilience, self-care, and a willingness to learn from diverse perspectives are key. “You have to hold space for quiet—that’s peace,” she advises. “It’s about retreating from overwork and under-caring for ourselves. It’s essential to make time for that emotional reset.”
She also emphasizes the importance of mentorship, encouraging women to seek guidance from a variety of sources. “Our mentors aren’t always going to look like us, and that’s okay,” she says. “There’s so much to learn from different perspectives, and those lessons can be invaluable when you bring them back to your community.”
Looking Forward
Looking ahead, Genelle remains focused on her dual passions of community development and entrepreneurship. She believes deeply in the power of supporting local economies and urges others to do the same.
Participate in your local economies, spend your dollars, make your dollars, if you can, hire within your community if you can. And vote for Kamala Harris.
For Genelle, the future of All Chill is about more than just business growth—it’s about continuing to serve as a cultural and community hub in Leimert Park. Whether through expanding her business or continuing her work in interior architecture, Genelle’s impact on her community is undeniable. “We’re building something here,” she said. “Something that will last, something that will keep the spirit of this place alive.”
Genelle’s journey is a testament to the power of staying true to one’s values, even in the face of adversity. As she continues to build and grow, her influence on Leimert Park and beyond will undoubtedly be felt for years to come.
