The smell of barbecue ribs, macaroni and cheese and seasoned greens filled the hallways as teachers gathered together to celebrate Black History Month through a yearly soul food lunch. What began as a simple idea to bring colleagues together has grown into a meaningful tradition centered around culture, history, and fellowship.
The host, Mr. Cooper said that the event was created to strengthen connections among staff while honoring Black heritage.
“I wanted to create something where we could all come together as colleagues, all of my fellow teachers, just to sit down, eat and enjoy the festivity of the actual soul food lunch and celebrate Black History Month,” Mr. Cooper said.
Hosting the event, however, requires days of preparation. “The prep and the actual cooking is a lot, so I just kind of have to plan ahead. The better I plan, the better time I have. Sometimes I don’t plan enough, and then I’m exhausted,” Mr. Cooper said.
Despite the load of work, feedback from the past attendees helps guide improvements each year.
“Usually the attendees tell me there’s not enough ribs,” Mr. Cooper said. “People will be coming to the luncheon for ribs and chicken.”
For many teachers, the food is what first draws them in. Brittany Merino, who has attended for several years, said she originally went after a coworker encouraged her to check it out.
“I’ve gone the last couple of years,” Ms. Merino said. “Definitely because one of my coworkers suggested, like, Hey let’s go.”
After her first visit, she continued attending because of both the food and the atmosphere.
“The food was so good, and there’s such a variety. Everybody can find something that they like,” Ms. Merino said.
Ms. Merino said that the barbecue ribs stood out as her favorite dish.
“The barbecue ribs are my favorite, but they’re very messy,” she said.
Beyond the meal itself, she was impressed by the decorations and informational displays lining the hallway.
“The hallway is probably the coolest project ever, the way it’s decorated and the information that they’re advertising,” she said.
This year’s celebration included QR codes placed between displays, allowing attendees to scan and watch videos related to Black history topics.
“For me personally, it’s always a learning piece and a teaching tool,” Mr. Cooper said. “When you click the QR codes, you can watch a video pertaining to that particular display.”
Coach Jones, a long term substitute teacher, said he appreciated having the opportunity to read the displays ahead of lunch.
“I got a chance to read many of the different displays that highlighted the different people who are influential in American history,” he said.
He said his favorite dish was the macaroni and cheese, though he was lucky enough to get one of the last ribs.
“The mac and cheese was pretty darn good,” he said. “I think I got the last beef rib.”
For the host, soul food represents more than flavor, it reflects resilience and history.
“It has such a rich history. It comes out of a time when slavery was such a big thing that we barely had enough to eat,” she said.
“It came about from basically the crumbs of what was left to us, so we just made it into a meal,” said Mr. Cooper.
Ms. Merino said events like this are important because they create awareness beyond textbooks.
“A lot of people just learn the most by doing,” she said. “Even just participating and eating the food, even if I don’t know all the stories behind it, it brings awareness.”
Coach Jones agreed, adding that celebrations like this help build unity within the school.
“It was great. It’s a good community thing,” he said. “It was nice to see everybody having that chance to sit down and share time and be in camaraderie with each other.”
For Mr. Cooper, that sense of connection and pride is exactly the goal.
“I want them to leave with a feeling of pride,” he said. “Like they participated in something meaningful and had a meal prepared with pride and love.”
Through shared dishes, educational display, and community fellowship, the soul food luncheon continues to serve as both a celebration of Black history and a reminder that culture is best honored when it is experienced together.
