Tag: Culture
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Pamela Poitier
Born in the United States, Pamela Poitier now lives off the grid on the north side of Cat Island. Ms. Poitier acts as an educator and playwright who enjoys working with the children of Cat Island and learning traditional values, culture, and history from community elders. Ms. Poitier was interviewed at Shannas Cove Resort on Read more
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Daisy Mae Hunter
Daisy Mae Hunter is a farmer, crafter, and specialist for knowledge on bush medicine. The research team first conducted their interview with Ms. Hunter at the Rollezz. Ms. Hunter described the bush medicine available on Cat Island and her role in sharing information throughout the community. Ms. Hunter also spoke about food traditions in her Read more
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Julian Russell
Julian Russell is a Rake-and-Scrape musician with his own band and the owner of Da Smoke Pot, which serves traditional Bahamian food. Julian and his band performed for us, using traditional Rake-and-Scrape instruments: saws, screwdrivers, drums, guitar, and other miscellaneous objects. Julian gave us all the chance to play the saw with the screwdriver. Julian Read more
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Harrison King
Harrison King holds a variety of roles on Cat Island including farmer, hotel and restaurant owner, bus driver, housing plan drafter, and pastor. The research team, alongside Yvonne and Margaret Rolle, arrived at Mr. King’s restaurant and were hosted for a meal of traditional Bahamian foods sourced from Mr. King’s farm. Afterwards, the research team Read more
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Christopher Stubbs
Mr. Christopher Stubbs is a versatile and esteemed individual from Cat Island, Bahamas, with a diverse background and extensive contributions to his community. His life’s journey includes roles as a farmer, landowner, teacher, commissioner, and police officer. Born and raised in a time when modern medical facilities were scarce, Mr. Stubbs grew up witnessing the Read more
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Garth King
Garth King, a former educator on various islands throughout The Bahamas, now farms on the land that used to belong to his grandmother. Mr. King lives with his wife, Rita King, who immigrated from Costa Rica. The research team received a tour of the Kings’ property which includes a pond with turtles, a prospective museum, Read more
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Laverte Mathis and Tyrone Goodwyn
Washington, D.C. native Laverte Mathis and longtime resident Tyrone Goodwyn were interviewed together at a site closely tied to their shared sense of home and history. Both men reflected on their Southern roots—Mathis’s family from Georgia and Goodwyn’s from North Carolina and Tidewater, Virginia—and the deep culinary traditions that have shaped their lives. Mathis spoke Read more
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Amelia Govan
“My mother and Grandmother, who were born in Laurens, South Carolina, moved here in the 1930s along with other family members. My mother attended Dunbar High school and Howard University. I have lived in DC longer than any other place – since 1968 when I came here to attend Howard. We have a strong, continuing Read more
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Group Interview: Harold Little, Joyce Robinson-Paul, and Mac-Arthur Mills
Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Joyce Robinson-Paul, Harold Little, and Mac-Arthur Mills share deep roots in the city’s Black communities, including Shaw, Takoma, and Foggy Bottom. The three were interviewed at a church central to their lives, where annual gospel concerts, soul food, and fellowship continue to bring people together. Joyce, a native Washingtonian, Read more
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Sheila Jones
Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Sheila Louis Jones is a lifelong resident whose family moved from Virginia nearly 70 years ago when her father was stationed at Andrews Air Force Base. Sheila spoke about growing up in Capitol Hill and later in public housing, where she said she learned a lot and had fun Read more
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Charles Warner, Nathaniel Trott, & Dwight Henry
Nathaniel Trott, Charles Warner, and Dwight Henry shared their experiences growing up and reflecting on their community’s history. They discuss the legacy of segregation and integration, the schools they grew up attending together. Nathaniel reflected on his time as a saxophonist, recalling performances like playing the national anthem at school events. Charles also shared stories Read more
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Childlene Brooks & Virginia Jackson
Childlene Brooks and Virginia Jackson, sisters raised in Talbot county and deeply rooted in their community, shared their personal stories of growing up during the desegregation era and their involvement in local civil rights efforts. The interview explored their early experiences at St. Michael’s High School, where Childlene was one of the first African American Read more
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Virginia Jackson & Walter Black
Walter Black and Virginia Jackson shared personal stories about growing up in a close-knit community, reflecting on their family history, and discussing identity and the complexities of heritage. The conversation also touched on Hurricane Hazel, where Virginia recalled the impact of the storm, noting that while it caused some damage, the community came together to Read more
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Group interview: Godwin Bell, Sheila Gibbs, and Stanley Lemon
This group conversation, led by Anita Gonzalez, explores the role of food in Black cultural resilience, healing, and community-building. Participants reflect on their personal food journeys, including Stanley Lemon, who moved from South Carolina and found comfort and community through soul food in Washington, D.C. He shares how changing his diet and biking helped him Read more
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Velgene Eastman
“Food is a part of life. This is my church- we eat together at church.” Do you have a family recipe you would honor us by sharing? If so, please share it below: “Sweet potato pie: lemon juice, milk, butter, sweet potato, cinnamon, sugar, crust” Read more
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Kimberly Smith
“Opportunity to gather with community members.” What is one special family food tradition, and can you tell us a story about it? Why is it important to your family? “Thanksgiving – we always had mac n cheese. Potato salad, greens, chitlins, pig feet. We all came together and ate food we aint supposed to have.” Read more
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Nelson Johnson
“All holidays are celebrated with food. It’s important who is making the mac n cheese.” How do you use food for healing? “I’m looking for healthy food, not fast food. When I was young I ate fast food. But now that I am wise, I know that food is life. I like natural, real food. Read more
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Angela Anderson
“The kitchen is a safe place for my family. The kitchen is the place where I provide nourishment, healing, counseling, help with homework, and the central hub or meeting place for our family.” How do you use food for healing? “I use food for by ensuring it’s nutritious. I cook 5 sometimes 6 times a Read more
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Bonita Evans
“Community involvement by working at the restaurant. Seeing and meeting lots of people.” How do you use food for healing? “Nutrition, physical, emotional, mental healing. Sharing, sitting together, taking food to someone.” Read more
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Pamela Pugh
“Healthy is very important in my family. I don’t like working out so my eating habits are important. I stay away from fats, sugars. I love foods from other cultures. Snacking healthy.” What is one special family food tradition, and can you tell us a story about it? Why is it important to your family? Read more