https://www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefive/c5-things-to-do/article250634669.html
Eat Black Charlotte started as a hashtag. Now, it’s grown into a weeklong food event.
By Jessica Swannie
April 29, 2021 01:51 PM,
Updated May 06, 2021 07:36 AM
EatBlackCLT founders Shay Jackson and Lorri Ashly Lofton snap photos at Nana Morrison’s Soul Food. Ryan Jones
Hungry? Search the
@eatblkclt Instagram account for immediate food recommendations curated by six local food bloggers, influencers and photographers.
Now that you’re craving a loaded slice of pizza from
Renaldo’s Culinary Experience, a red velvet waffle from
Krustaceans Seafood Charlotte and the Onion Stack Smash Vegan Burger from
Best of Both Souls, you can mark your calendar for
Eat Black Charlotte Week, set to take place from June 4-12, 2021.
The weeklong celebration grew its roots from the
#eatblackclt hashtag, which was started by
Erique Berry,
Cory Wilkins,
Shay Jackson,
Lorri Ashly Lofton,
Ryan Jones and
Amber Owens with a goal to raise awareness for Charlotte’s Black-owned food businesses.
As the Instagram account garnered more attention, Berry and Lofton teamed up with Charlotte native (
and CharlotteFive writer)
DeAnna Taylor and food blogger and curator
Jenelle Kellam to brainstorm the idea of bringing Eat Black Charlotte Week to life, helped by sponsors
Visit York County,
Rachel Sutherland Communications and
Snack ‘n Fun Box.
“The mission of the page and the week is to not only highlight, but also celebrate, the city’s Black food business owners,” Taylor said. “2020 was a rough year for everyone, and it was even harder for food businesses. The EatBlkClt team wanted to amplify Black owners in an effort to help them bounce back and receive the awareness they deserve.”
If you’ve scrolled through the Instagram account, you’re probably already hungry. Here’s what to know about Eat Black Charlotte Week:
BRING YOUR APPETITE
From June 4-12, Eat Black Charlotte Week will showcase prix-fixe menus from participating businesses. The celebration will end with a Food and Brew Fest from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 12 at
The Unknown Brewing Co., complete with collaboration cocktails and beers. The celebration will come to a close at
1501 South Mint for dessert and drinks from 4-6 p.m.
“We simply want this to be a way for the Charlotte community to come together to celebrate entrepreneurs that often get overlooked, while enjoying some of the amazing cuisine our city has to offer,” Taylor said.
Get your tickets online.
Cory Wilkins browses a menu for food and drink specials — his wheelhouse as @dailyspecialclt on Instagram. Erique Berry
SIGN UP FOR CLASSES
The event will also feature a series of classes for both aspiring and current food business owners. Topics include marketing, branding and funding, and will be taught by local community members including chefs Jamie Barnes and Greg Williams of
What the Fries, Google Partner Latesha Byrd of
Byrd Career Consulting, social media professional Asha Ellison and chef Michael Bowling of
Hot Box Kitchen.
Eat Black Charlotte Week will showcase the best Black-owned food businesses in the Queen City this June. Food blogger Amber Owens sports the brand T-shirt. Courtesy of Eat Black Charlotte
PLAN YOUR ITINERARY
Participating restaurants and food trucks include What the Fries,
Another Food Truck,
Q’s Culinary Cart,
Ms. Didi’s Caribbean Kitchen,
Made From Scratch NYC,
Dawg’On Vegans and
Jimmy Pearls. Taylor promises some of Charlotte’s “favorite and best businesses” will be on the list.
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