Jennifer Steele

Julia Keister

Julia Keister is a business owner, community activist, and mom who has always worked to make the world a better place for all. Julia spent her twenties teaching special education in Brooklyn, New York. After moving to Northern Kentucky in 2014, Julia started working at The Point in Covington supporting teens and adults with disabilities. Julia then launched her own company, Different x Design, which connected artists labeled as having a disability with art entities in Covington. It was during this time, that a culinary passion became a reality. Julia perfected the art of making the bagels she dearly missed from New York. This evolved into Lil’s Bagels, named after Julia’s “Bubbe,” Lillian, and eventually the community anchor it is today. In the beginning, Julia was the visionary, salesperson, marketer, accountant, delivery woman, chef and 4 a.m. baker. She blazed her own path, with a mission that has always been equally dedicated to serving delicious food, as well as a safe space for revolution. Lil’s now employs nearly 15 primarily Queer-identifying people, who proudly serve breakfast, lunch and inclusivity to Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati. Through monthly fundraisers and numerous other events, Lil’s has raised over $60,000 for local organizations and efforts have empowered countless individuals. Julia accomplished all these endeavors, while proudly expressing herself as a Queer Jewish woman. In 2019, she won the NKY Pride LGBTQ+ Inclusive Business award, was named a Center for Great Neighborhoods Commitment to Covington Awardee and in, 2021, became a Kentucky Colonel.

“I would like to thank all the changemakers past, present, and future who have inspired me and made my path as a Queer woman possible,” said Julia. “Thanks to my parents who instilled in me the life mission to fight for equality. Thanks to my wife Hannah, and our little rascal Boaz, who have taught me what love, family, and being a woman mean.”