Black Southern Belle Foodies

Founded in Philadelphia in 1816 by members of the Free African Society (which itself was founded in 1787,) the AME church was one of the first Protestant denominations created as a haven for Black people. Many people first came to know of Mother Emanuel (AME churches were given the title Mother after women were permitted to serve in church operations) back in 2015 when a gunman opened fire on parishioners, killing nine members. Co-founded by Denmark Vesey, who helped to plan a slave revolt in 1822, Mother Emanuel was actually burned down after the revolt trials by an angry mob and was later rebuilt. Many AME churches were founded by community activists and leaders and were attended by liberators including Fredericksburg Douglass, Ida B. Wells, Booker T. Washington and others.

Through tradition and culture, Easter celebrations from Sunday dinner to community galas and soirees have longsense been a spectacle worth honoring in Black spaces. Constance Love of Partying with Love, an Atlanta-based event planning company knows the importance and semblance of Easter and incorporates the festiveness of the holiday in many ways. Southern Easter traditions usually revolve around church and honestly, some families celebrate Easter in a similar way that they celebrate Christmas with gifts and new Sunday clothes. Our home has a formal dining room table set with fine china, boutiques of colorful flowers, freshly pressed napkins and some of the best sweet tea a Southern Belle can make,” Love said.

Even though red rice is made very similar across the Lowcountry, Marcus Middleton, one of many personal chefs in the Lowcountry area, provided us with the way in which he makes his rice for special occasions or travelers to the Southern part of the coast. If you are traveling to the Berkeley County area and prefer to have someone prepare native dishes for you then here are a few tips for you to enjoy all the cuisine from this coastal area. When traveling to the parts of Lowcountry that are remote, red rice is the dish to request by your African-American personal chef. Black Southern Belle hopes that the history of red rice in Berkeley County increases your awareness of the tradition of rice in the South and these tips provide you with ways to enjoy your secluded trip with family or close friends.

Gumbo is the one meal that’s distinctly southern and that’s celebrated throughout Black culture during various holidays and events. The late Leah Chase put her stamp on this southern meal at her historic restaurant, Dooky Chase in New Orleans. In fact, Chase’s award-winning gumbo has been served to some of the country’s biggest entertainers and politicians from Nat King Cole to former President Barack Obama. In fact, Gina’s grandmother cooked it for her daughter, and Gina’s mother cooked it for Gina.

Just for many of us who love jewelry and accessories, the vibrant color online brand of Charleston, SC,  The Tiny Tassel has now announced the  grand opening of a storefront location for our shopping needs. From Monday-Saturday, 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM, beginning March 15th, The Tiny Tassel clients, shoppers, and newcomers can shop for items ranging from hand-made jewelry to clothing and other fun accessories. Even though this started as a just a creative outlet for this Black Southern Belle, it evolved into a jewelry, clothing and accessories brand based in Charleston, SC that Southern Belles near and far support. Along with tassels created by-hand, bright colors and classical prints, and also garments handmade by her mother, The Tiny Tassel store will also carry hand-made items from other local Black Women-Owned businesses including: Salt & Stem Flowers, BR Design Co  Motherland Essentials, Moon-Seed, Moon Glow Candle Co. and Escape Haven Co.

In Berkeley County, farm life gives community members and even restaurant owners the opportunity to purchase fresh ingredients and to explore the farm-to-the-table aspect of life (which African Americans have done for so along). Hometown Roots Farm, located in Summerville , SC, is a pure organic farm offering organic foods such as Artisan breads, fruits, flowers, herbs, and vegetables. Filled with fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, local crafts, most importantly strawberries, Wabi Sabi is a reflection of Southern farm life. From fresh original plain boiled peanuts to Cajun boiled peanuts, James Brown’s Famous Boiled Peanuts has another favorite Southern titbit we all enjoy.

To enjoy the warm weather, I took some time to enjoy own front porch with my son Jackson. I was able to match my son with some great outfits from vineyard vines, which is the perfect brand for enjoying the coastal lifestyle and finding matching outfits with your son! I styled this cart with some of my favorites including my vineyard vines Charleston mug and Muscadine Wine from Black, Veteran Owned, Bowman Vineyards which happens to also be my parent’s neighbor. I curated a gift basket of some of my favorite things including comfy leggings from vineyard vines, Gullah stationery and vintage glassware.

Created by women to protect our businesses, families, and lives, Think Safe has given us new products to allow for all of us to be able to shield our close ones. By purchasing Think Safe products, you are able to take extra precautions while being able to support a fellow Black Southern Belle, Anthara Patrice. When looking for the most purest cleaning supplies to get rid of bacteria, germs and viruses, Think Safe suggests their four main products. Created in the USA with UVC Germicidal Lamps that deactivate germs & virus strains, Think Safe, has provided a way for various products to be properly disinfected.

Created by prominent African American men including one dentist, a mortician, a tailor and a doctor, this association participates in parades, community activities, activism and more to support local African Americans in the Mobile area. During Mobile’s Mardi Gras, MAMGA members ride in the MAMMOTH parade in floats, host cultural events, have a coronation ball called the Grand Marshals’ Ball and host a Royal Luncheon. Founded in 1990, Krewe of African Kings is an all Black, Pensacola krewe with limited membership. While Mardi Gras Indiansin NOLA wear costumes that honor Native American regalia and culture, the Krewe of African Kings wear costumes that honor African royalty like the Ancient Egyptians.

Along with owning the viral restaurant chain, Slutty Vegan, Cole is also a graduate of Clark Atlanta University. At Clark Atlanta, Cole was named “Miss Clark Atlanta” and is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She also operated her own Jamaican restaurant in Harlem, New York for two years before coming back to Atlanta and creating the Slutty Vegan burger chain. Dorzon also brings his A game to Victory Truck, his D.C.-based food truck and his restaurant Union Oyster Bar & Lounge, also based in D.C. Chef Latoya Fairley is from the seaside city of Long Beach, California.