While the term "soul food" was coined in the 1960s, the style of cooking is way older, passed down through generations. Originating from slave plantations, soul food recipes were developed when enslaved people applied African flavors to the dishes they served their enslavers and the scrap meat and animal feed (cornmeal) they were given to eat. After emancipation, Black people further perfected their recipes for dishes like fried chicken, oxtail soup, Hoppin' John, collard greens, candied yams, mac-'n'-cheese, cornbread and sweet potato pie,
The corner of 14th and U streets, Northwest, is now home to six LGBTQ bars, with just over 300 feet separating the nightlife options. The spots have all opened their doors over the past few years, bringing dramatic changes to a corner long associated with the District's bar scene. The recent wave began with 2023's opening of Bunker, a dance-focused space run by Zach Renovátes. He also operates a nearby bar, the District Eagle, that bills itself as "a home for DC's kink communities."
In the summer of 2020, I started a directory of Black-owned businesses in Maine. I was looking for a way to support the Black community for people who couldn't attend protests. I also wanted to make a longer-term economic impact. It immediately took off. These were my neighbors and local businesses that I just hadn't heard about. That's the thing: People joke about Maine being the whitest state, but there are actually plenty of Black-owned businesses here.
The Black Culture Market will be back in Brixton this December with its festive edition, bringing together over 40 Black-owned businesses for a weekend of shopping, culture and community. Taking place at The Department Store in Brixton, the indoor market will run across Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th December 2025, celebrating entrepreneurs and creatives of African and Caribbean descent. The market is all about showcasing the best emerging Black businesses,
On Oct. 17, MADE, a verification system designed to safeguard Black creativity, won the inaugural "Keep It 100" Pitch Competition hosted by Elite Media. The announcement was made at The One Club's "Where Are All the Black People" Conference in New York City. Elite Media Founder and CEO Chris Crawford joined a panel of judges for the competition and took center stage to present $50,000 to Tommy Johnson, founder and CEO of MADE, along with $12,500 each to the four other finalists.
