Seared okra and spiced lady apples, mac and cheese and pillowy cornbread, and ham biscuits and black-eyed pea salad top tables around the room. The recipes for the African American Fusion fundraiser event are pulled from the pages of cookbooks written by grand dame of Southern cooking Edna Lewis, singer Patti LaBelle and chef Carla Hall, along with cooks’ personal favorites.
Held last November, the gathering of 80-plus was the largest to date for the Richmond affiliate of Coming to the Table (CTTT), a national organization that works to promote racial healing. Months later, the coronavirus pandemic halted in-person dinners. Then in late May, George Floyd, an unarmed Black man, was killed by police during an arrest in Minneapolis, his death sparking global outrage and protests.
By Patrick Wilson • Richmond Times-Dispatch
National racial justice group convening in Historic Triangle to recognize slavery in Virginia
Like many others, I have wrestled during the past week with what I can do, how I can help push forward some lasting, systemic change in our city. In the end, I found a story to share. Here’s one about Danita and Martha.