In this powerful episode of People Before Politics, we sit down with wellness advocate Brenda L. Cump to talk about the importance of serving healthier food at events in our community. From local gatherings to political functions, Brenda breaks down why our food choices matter — especially in Black and Brown communities disproportionately impacted by chronic illnesses.
Ms. Crump shares her personal journey as a vegan and how hard it is to find nutritious, plant-based options at community events. If we’re serious about public health, self-determination, and building stronger communities, we have to start with what’s on our plates. 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.
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. So we invited Brenda to discuss the need for healthier food options at events.
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 soul food’s cultural relevance and its impact on health, we need our Black chefs, politicians, community leaders, and organizations to reimagine soul food classics with a focus on wellness, creating cuisine that nourishes both body and soul—and that’s REAL TALK!
AJ Woodson is the Editor-In-Chief and co-owner of Black Westchester, Host & Producer of the People Before Politics Radio Show, An Author, Journalism Fellow (Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism), Rap Artist – one third of the legendary underground rap group JVC FORCE known for the single Strong Island, Radio Personality, Hip-Hop Historian, Documentarian, Activist, Criminal Justice Advocate and Freelance Journalist
whose byline has appeared in several print publications and online sites including The Source, Vibe, the Village Voice, Upscale, Sonicnet.com, Launch.com, Rolling Out Newspaper, Daily Challenge Newspaper, Spiritual Minded Magazine, Word Up! Magazine, On The Go Magazine and several others.
All my books are available on Amazon or you can purchase my autographed copies directly from me at www.AJROKPublishing.com Pre-order your Autographed Deluxe Edition of “Black Women of Westchester” and the 914 Hip-Hop books (email MrAJWoodson@gnail,com for more info)
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