Celebration Foods for Juneteenth!
Join us for an evening of seasonal, 'uniquely American' food stories!
“Juneteenth is a time to gather as a family, reflect on the past and look to the future. Discover ways to celebrate this African American cultural tradition of music, food and freedom.” — National Museum of African American History and Culture
By now everyone’s heard of ‘Juneteenth’ our nation’s newest federal holiday that was signed into federal law on June 17, 2021. The holiday’s name is short for June 19th, 1865 when the Union Army marched into the Confederate state of Texas (via the port city of Galveston) to announce the end of chattel slavery and enforce the Emancipation Proclamation that had declared their freedom 2 1/2 years prior in 1863 — resulting in joyous eruption among an estimated 250, 000 held in human bondage there and marking a beginning of hope for equality and freedom. The immediate focus for many was to reunite with family that had for centuries been forcibly separated. It was still another 2 1/2 years later (December 6th, 1865) that the 13th Amendment was ratified to end slavery nationwide.
Food is a central part of any reunions and holiday celebrations. Learn from Culinary Historian Tonya Hopkins aka The Food Griot about the food (& drink!) associated with Juneteenth and the key role red-hued foods (& drinks) play that distinguishes this early Summer holiday from other gatherings, barbecues, park parties or picnics.
Tonya Hopkins, aka The Food Griot, is a culinary historian, food & drink media personality and show host featured on a range of broadcast networks, digital and print mediums (e.g., ABC, Belgian Public Television, FOOD 52, Food Network FORBES, HBO/MAX, Milk Street Radio, New York Times, NPR, Oxford University Press/OUP, PBS, and Variety).
