Lunch Break’s Community Kitchen hosts National African American Read-In in celebration of Black History Month

Lunch Break hosted a series of National African American Read-In (AARI) events celebrating the beauty of diversity and the many literary achievements of African Americans. The AARI is an initiative launched by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) to celebrate African American authors and literacy. Its mission is to promote diversity in literature, encourage community engagement and ensure that African American stories and voices are shared and recognized.

Our AARI shone a light on local authors and community readers who shared impactful work, or stories by great African American writers such as Maya Angelou, Nikki Giovanni and Tamika Maultsby. It also highlighted the importance of nutrition, feeding the body and soul and equal access to healthy and affordable food.

As our series began, the dining room was flooded with vibrant imagery and the revolutionary musings of some of our nation’s most esteemed African American authors. The empowering words to Maya Angelou’s “Still I Rise” reverberated off the walls and into the hearts of many who had gathered to share a meal and listen.

“Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.”

Angelou’s words are a powerful testament to the perseverance of spirit that is evident in the African American community across history, enduring today in the continued fight for equity for all. It is a strong message to readers to carry on in the face of adversity, not letting anything get in the way of your dreams. This is exactly what Lunch Break is all about: breaking down barriers to basic needs as a means of helping everyone to achieve their full potential.

 

Shani Love and acclaimed actress Lorraine Stone shared the presentation of another poem, “Ego Tripping” by the great African American poet Nikki Giovanni.

“I was born in the congo
I walked to the fertile crescent and built
the sphinx…”

This poem is so powerful and stands the test of time because it shows that you can find yourself and your potential for greatness in the historic achievements of those who came before you.

“Her words are an assertion, a reminder: Black excellence is not a recent phenomenon but an enduring, undeniable force. More than verse, the poem is a declaration—an ode to the magnitude of Black achievement. It speaks to a lineage of innovation, creation, and brilliance, stretching across time and geography,” says the Black Innovation Alliance.

On the second day, Pamela A. Major, local speaker, author, playwright, empowerment coach and facilitator of Lunch Break’s Womyn’s Worth program, shared a presentation of one of her cookbooks, The Comfort: For The Body and The Soul. The book is full of delicious, soulful and healthy soup recipes, with her own story of “tragedy to triumph” woven into the meaning behind the food.

Major says of her book’s purpose, “In sharing these recipes and my story, I believe the reader will come away with a way to feed themselves and their loved ones as well as hope that the pain the reader has endured is healable.”

One of her soups was served for lunch that day, for our guests to enjoy and share. Pamela’s presentation had something in it for everyone – true nourishment for the body and the mind.

As the African American Read-in series came to a close on Thursday, Lunch Break was joined by President David Lewis and CEO Jarrette Atkins of Asbury Park’s MacroBites, a national Black-owned health food company that curates fresh, ready-to-eat meals with a balanced macronutrient ratio. The mission of the company is to “promote health and well-being through mental health, physical health, and nutrition,” which goes hand in hand with Lunch Break’s mission.

The Community Kitchen featured MacroBites’ Fiesta Chicken while Lewis shared the inspirational and empowering story of his journey from incarceration to author and business owner. The men of MacroBites continuously share their personal stories of transformation in hopes of inspiring and motivating others.

“From a past overshadowed by challenges, we navigated our early years within prison’s confines. Yet, driven by introspection and an unwavering commitment to change, we united to redefine our path,” said the MacroBites men about their journey.

Jarette Atkins shared some kind words with our Community Kitchen guests about persevering even when you’re unsure if you’re on the right path. “It does get hard. You’ll question why you started, and we questioned a lot of times why we started… And everytime we did, someone walked up to us and said ‘I’m so happy you’re doing what you’re doing, you motivate us’”.

MacroBites is doing incredibly important work to feed urban communities with nutritious and affordable food, at a time when food deserts are on the rise, especially in low-income communities, which are disproportionately composed of people of color. Food deserts are defined as “geographic areas where residents’ access to affordable, healthy food options (especially fresh fruits and vegetables) is restricted or nonexistent due to the absence of grocery stores within convenient traveling distance”. This means that there are thousands of communities across the United States where millions of people, more often than not from minority communities, are effectively boxed out of access to affordable, high quality food.

There are four Monmouth County municipalities which made the top 35 for Food Dessert Factor Scores in New Jersey, determined by factors such as the number of supermarkets and demographic, economic, health, and community characteristics. These four towns in Monmouth County were Keansburg, Long Branch city, Asbury Park city and Red Bank Borough (NJEDA, 2022)

The overarching theme behind MacroBites and the African American Read-in at Lunch Break is the idea of Food Justice. Access to basic needs like healthy meals is not met. Food deserts are increasing in the United States, affecting your neighbors right here in Monmouth County. Organizations like Lunch Break and MacroBites are vital to communities and provide appropriate nutrition to neighbors in need.

One day we will achieve food justice for all.

Until then, we are here with open hearts and healthy meals.

Written by Caitlin McGarry