Roland Proctor

Roland Proctor was born in Washington, D.C. and raised in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Aside from his time serving in Vietnam, he has lived in the area his entire life. His mother was originally from New York City, and his father from PG County. Roland shared reflections on how food connects people in D.C., especially given the high cost of living and widespread economic need. He emphasized food as a source of comfort and support in the community. While he doesn’t recall specific family recipes, he fondly remembered his mother’s creamed chipped beef and spoke about his own love of cooking. Roland highlighted Thanksgiving as a meaningful family tradition, recalling shared meals that included turkey, ham, cranberry sauce, and corn pudding—a creamy baked dish he particularly enjoys. He selected East Capitol Street as the location to place his interview on the project’s D.C. map.