Cultural Spaces We Love

Black Culinary History is a starting point and one that is an ever-evolving experiment around a deeper understanding of Black agency in the professional food world. With that said, this is a list of the cultural institutions, websites, and organizations we’re in community with that you should check out to expand your own food universe.

Preservation of one’s own culture does not require contempt or disrespect for other cultures.
— Cesar Chavez
  • The Africa Center

    As the hub for ideas around culture, business, and policy related to the continent, The Africa Center inspires enthusiasm and advances thought and action around Africa’s global influence.  

    The National Museum of African American History and Culture

    The only national museum devoted exclusively to documenting African American life, history, and culture. The Museum has consulted with culinary historians like Dr. Jessica B. Harris and Michael Twitty and a wide range of chefs to curate culinary exhibitions, programs, and food via their Sweet Home Cafe as an essential part of the overall mission to preserve Black culture.

    Museum of Food and Drink (MOFAD)

    MOFAD is a favorite space of ours. From the curation of the African/American: Making The Nation's Table exhibit that took over four years to curate to the overall mission to bring the culture of food to the public, the museum is a great place for anyone interested in food and history.

    Feast Afrique

    Feast Afrique is a website and digital library resource that celebrates West African culinary heritage, curated by the brilliant chef and educator Ozoz Sokoh - The Kitchen Butterfly

    The Food Timeline

    The Food Timeline was created and maintained solely by Lynne Olver (1958-2015, her obituary), reference librarian with a passion for food history. In 2020, Virginia Tech University Libraries and the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences (CLAHS) collaborated on a plan to offer Virginia Tech as a new home for the physical book collection and the web resource.

  • National Black Farmers Association (NBFA)

    A non-profit organization representing African American farmers and their families in the United States.

    Land Loss Prevention Project

    An Organization Dedicated to the Preservation of the Family Farm

    Black Farmer Fund

    The mission of Black Farmer Fund is to nurture black community wealth & health by investing in black agricultural systems in the Northeast.

    Black Urban Growers

    Black Farmers & Urban Gardners (BUGs) National Conference contributes to the empowerment and resilience of Black agriculture worldwide, with the specific goal of creating more equitable and sustainable food systems.

    The National Black Food & Justice Alliance (NBFJA)

    A coalition of Black-led organizations aimed at developing Black leadership, supporting Black communities, organizing for Black self-determination, and building institutions for Black food sovereignty and liberation.

    Black Church Food Security Network

    a national network of Black churches organizing to advance health, wealth, and power in our communities

    Food Tank

    Food Tank is the world’s fastest growing global non-profit community working towards positive transformation in how we produce and consume food.

    Agriculture Justice Project (AJP)

    The Agricultural Justice Project brings together workers, farmers, and their communities to build a food system that’s fair and just.

  • 4 Color Books

    A Penguin Random House imprint 4 Color Books is the brainchild of principal Bryant Terry 4 Color Books focuses on collaborating with the most forward-thinking and groundbreaking BIPOC chefs, writers, artists, activists, and innovators to craft visually stunning nonfiction books that inspire readers and give rise to a more healthy, just, and sustainable world for all.

    Whetstone Media

    Whetstone Media is a collection of imprints founded by Stephen Satterfield, focused on storytelling dedicated to food origins and culture.

    Dine Diaspora

    Dine diaspora is a multimedia and consulting brand that has a nu,ber of projects and initiatives focused on diversity and sustainability.

    Black Foodie

    Black Foodies is a blog and media company focused on telling diverse Black stories through showcasing and celebrating the people, places, and plates that represent the diaspora.

    Cuisine Noir Magazine

    Cuisine Noir is an award-winning culinary lifestyle and news narratives media outlet dedicated to providing culturally rich and factually reported stories that connect the African diaspora through food, drink and travel.