Tag: Traditions
-
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
-
Stamford “Fred” Hoston
Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Stamford “Fred” Hoston is a lifelong resident of the city with deep family roots in the DMV area. Fred was interviewed at Saints Paradise Church, where he shared stories from his upbringing in a large, religious family of eight children. His parents, originally from West Virginia, worked as a Read more
-
Don Garland
“I support black owned businesses and I like soul food.” What is one special family food tradition, and can you tell us a story about it? Why is it important to your family? “Thanksgiving and Christmas and birthday- We celebrate each other. Gifts and food and cake and ice cream. Our forefathers passed down Thanksgiving.” Read more
-
Andrea Jeter
“Remedies like garlic. Garlic helps with blood pressure.” What is one special family food tradition, and can you tell us a story about it? Why is it important to your family? “Thanksgiving and we all enjoy the mac n cheese. I am the designated mac n cheese chef for my family.” Read more
-
Ronald Jackson
“Stuffing: sausage, shrimp, oysters, onions,” What is one special family food tradition, and can you tell us a story about it? Why is it important to your family? “Gloria’s Greens. My mother cooked greens and everybody came for that.” Read more
-
Robert Harris
“Take the wrinkle out your belly. I don’t eat too much meat so I am strong at 80.” How does food connect you with your community? “Im a soul man. When I grew up, I had two pieces of bacon, one egg and grits. sometimes rice. Some mornings- one piece of sausage, one egg. In Read more
-
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
-
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 Read more
-
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
-
Dwight Henry & Nathaniel Trott
Dwight Henry and Nathaniel Trott, lifelong friends from McDaniel, Maryland, reflect on growing up in a close-knit African American community on the Eastern Shore. They discuss church traditions, the importance of respect, and the values instilled by their parents and neighbors. The men discuss growing up in a segregated society, recalling dusty shoes from walking Read more
-
Charles Warner
Charles Warner, a lifelong resident of Wittman Maryland, reflects on a life deeply rooted in family, hard work, and community. He worked on a farm in McDaniel from a very young age, around 8 or 9 with his grandfather and father. He shared fond memories of Sunday family breakfasts and the influence of his grandparents, Read more
-
Dennis Wilson
“Everyday I cook for my family. Everyday is special.” Do you have a family recipe you would honor us by sharing? If so, please share it below: “Chicken: Spicy, jerk, curry and brown stew chicken.” How does food connect you with your community? “I sell food to my community.” Read more
-
Carolyn Graham
“It’s a social gathering. People love to eat and communicate and enjoy each other. It’s a social opportunity.” What is one special family food tradition, and can you tell us a story about it? Why is it important to your family? “Thanksgiving – everybody gets together, coming from out of town, to socialize, all over Read more
-
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
-
Timothy McDaniel
“Food helps my mental health. Some people eat to live, some live to eat. A good cook helps.” What is one special family food tradition, and can you tell us a story about it? Why is it important to your family? “Last 35 years, we gather on Christmas eve, we all open at least one Read more
-
Chrischeryl McDaniel
“Taking food to someone when their healing. Help someone overcome a sickness.” What is one special family food tradition, and can you tell us a story about it? Why is it important to your family? “Thanksgiving – for the last 25 years, we hosted thanksgiving for both sides of the family. We take a photo Read more
-
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