Soul Food Staples
This dessert is often the preferred choice over pumpkin pie in Black households.
What is sweet potato pie?
This uniquely American musical genre, rooted in spirituals, became central to Black workship.
What is gospel?
The 22nd state to be admitted to the United States, this state was the epicenter of many civil rights milestones and was also the birthplace of many of our elders.
What is Alabama?
This New Year's dish symbolizes luck, prosperity, and wealth.
What are black eyed peas?
Many civil rights leaders, including MLK Jr., held this role in their churches.
What is pastor or minister?
If you arrive to Mary Waller's home early enough on a weekday, you may be lucky enough to snag a plate full of these creamy Southern breakfast staples, often served with butter, salt, or cheese.
What are grits?
This cooking method involves slow simmering tough cuts of meat in liquid to become more tender.
What is braising (or stewing)?
Fish fries, benefit concerts, and building funds are examples of this type of community support that Black churches often use.
What is fundraising?
This date is both a federal holiday celebrating American independence and the birthday of our family’s beloved late matriarch, making it a double reason to gather and celebrate.
What is July 4th?
Known for its slimy texture when cooked, this Southern staple is the key ingredient in gumbo and is sometimes called “lady’s fingers.”
What is okra?
These elaborate headdresses worn by women in the church are works of art in their own right.
What are/is church hat(s)?
Because early versions were made from animal bone, many folks—especially at the card table or cookout—still call these game pieces “bones.”
What are dominos?
Often baked in a cast‑iron skillet, this golden Southern bread is famous for sparking debates about whether it should be sweet or not.
What is cornbread?
This item makes its way down every pew in the church - sometimes more than once. Get your wallet out!
What is the offering plate?
Seeking better pay and a life beyond Jim Crow, many Southern Black women of the 1940s and ’50s boarded northbound trains to take these jobs—cooking, cleaning, and raising children in white households.
What is domestic work?