Black History Month celebrated through recipes, health conversation

As part of its annual Black History Month Celebration, Clark State College is seeking submissions of soul food recipes and myth-or-fact health questions relating to the black community.

 

The diverse month-long celebration will highlight the local community’s talent in preparing soul food – or traditional African American – dishes.

 

“I define soul food as a traditional way to describe African American cuisine. In my childhood, I have been told that it is good for the ‘soul,’” says Crystal Jones, vice president of marketing, diversity and community impact for Clark State. “Soul food is made with love. Historically, soul food recipes have been shared throughout generations. So, it’s more than just a recipe, but a family’s story.”
 

Those interested in sharing a soul food recipe should send in a picture of the completed recipe along with a list of ingredients and preparation instructions.

 

The goal is to receive enough soul food recipes to create a community cookbook for all to enjoy.

 

Clark State and Mercy Health will also partner to address health in the black community, with a virtual event planned for Feb. 25.

 

A panel of medical professionals at the virtual event will respond to pre-submitted health-related myth-or-fact questions.

 

Early submissions of health-related questions and concerns from the community are encouraged and invited. The panel of experts from Mercy Health will address as many myth-or-fact questions as possible.

 

Anyone interested in participating in the soul food recipe cookbook or the Mercy Health myth-or-fact Q&A session should send submissions and questions to Dr. Naureen Qasim at [email protected] by Wednesday, Feb. 17.

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Read more articles by Darci Jordan.

Lifelong Clark County resident Darci Jordan is a freelance writer and former staff writer/columnist for the Springfield News-Sun. She is a graduate of The Ohio State University with a bachelor of science degree in Agriculture Communications. She currently also serves as a writer for the Clark State Community College marketing department. She enjoys time with her family, horses and Ohio State football. Go Bucks!