(Charlotte, NC) — Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU) and Davidson College today announced the launch of a recently published cookbook, Roots Cultivating Culture: Stories and Recipes from Charlotte’s Historic West End, featuring Charlotte local’s best eats. The official launch event will take place November 9th at 5:30pm at JCSU’s New Science Center Atrium and will feature a sampling of menu items directly from the cookbook including:
• Mattie Marshall’s Salmon Croquettes (p. 30)
• Anne Steele’s “Not Too Mushy” Broccoli (p. 12)
• Christine Bowser’s Vanilla Poundcake (p.18)
The cookbook project is a product of a joint Johnson C. Smith University-Davidson College summer research institute, co-directed by Tiffany Taylor and Dr. Joseph Ewoodzie, and was edited by Olivia Strader, a student at Davidson College. Publication of this anthology was funded with support from the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, under the Green-to-Green Project, with all proceeds from its sale going towards the communities that contributed to the recipes and stories in this collection.
Each individual that contributed to Roots provides personal memories, and axioms tied to food and its importance to their lives. Featuring delicacies from Anne Steele, Christine Bowser, Vera Williams, Mattie Marshall, Dawn Neal, Tiffany Hughes, Rashad Frazier, and Brandon Jackson, the book also provides tips and tricks in the kitchen from each cook.
Confronting white privilege and shame head-on, the 21-year old book’s editor writes, “. . . my ancestors were slave owners. Before this project began, this was a phrase and fact that I consciously evaded. I thought if I avoided acknowledging this fact then I could avoid the shame that came with it.” She describes her own story and how her experience with Celiac Disease has given her an understanding of how food influences the body, and has shaped her perspective on changing the tide of food insecurity in Charlotte.
“I’m so proud that our project was so successful in addressing the themes of race, privilege, and shame that are often overlooked,” said Tiffany Taylor. “It’s only through pushing through the discomfort that these moments of coming together are possible. We look forward to next year’s collaboration with Davidson, and pushing the narrative of race so that healing and progress can happen.”