I’ve gone to several events with Damon and Brenda L. Crump, who are both vegan, and often there was nothing being served at the event that they could eat. We invited Brenda to appear on a recent episode of People Before Politics Radio (see video below) to discuss the need for healthier food options at events.
One of the most concerning challenges still facing Black Americans is the disproportional high rates of cancer and chronic diseases. With the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reporting that half of all African American adults have some form of cardiovascular disease, and that Black men and women have the highest rates of dying from cancer, we need to start offering healthier food choices at events in our community.
For Black Americans, specifically those who are the descendants of enslaved Africans, soul food is more than just cuisine, it’s a cornerstone of culture and community. In many Black families, recipes are passed down the way old wives’ tales, cars, or cast-iron skillets are. For many Black Americans, soul food is the meeting place, where, regardless of the occasion, family and friends can find common ground. However, there’s an ongoing and growing concern about the impact of the traditional soul food diet on health outcomes in Black communities.
While soul food boasts delicious dishes like fried chicken, mac and cheese, and sweet potato pie, these meals often rely heavily on fried foods, added sodium and sugars, and processed meats. This alignment with the broader Standard American Diet (SAD) has been linked to a higher risk of chronic health conditions like obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes in the Black community.
To bridge the gap between the cultural relevance of soul food and the impact on health, we need our Black chefs, our politicians, community leaders, and organizations to reimagine soul food classics with a focus on wellness, creating a cuisine that nourishes both body and soul and that’s REAL TALK!
