sunday dinner

good for the soul

Every year, the DC Lottery creates a free, educational Black History Month calendar to highlight African American accomplishments from history to current pioneers. This years theme centered around African American Culinary Inventions and Foodways and featured James, Hemings, Lena Richard, George "Crum" Speck, Joseph Lee, and D.C.'s very own, Virginia Ali, co-founder of Ben's Chili Bowl.

"The rich tradition of “Sunday Dinner” in African American households can be traced back to the Antebellum South. At that time, enslaved people received weekly food rations on Saturdays. And for some, Sunday was the only day of rest. As a result, Sunday Dinner became the culinary embodiment of family, friendship, cooperation, and community."

Sunday dinner at Grandma's

A big staple of African American cuisine is their soul food and many of these foods would be present at a Sunday family dinner. Sunday dinners are the very essence of African American culture not only because there's a good home-cooked meal, but because of the warm, vibrant atmosphere that is present when around one's loved ones.