Sunday Dinner: A Seat At the Table
A Soul Food newsletter Blackstack Original series, but this time we actually had dinner together at the table we built.
A seat at the table, yet a chair is not a home. However, it’s war outside these walls, especially here in America. I am praying no weapon formed against this community will prosper, our families. Our people are divinely protected in this season; we just have to believe it for ourselves.
Some shit is just for us, and
in print for me was a culture must. Everyone is preserving our stories, but us. No more. That has now changed and will likely be the new Black household norm.
The execution of creating this magazine alone brought a new meaning of community to this space. We went from an online hub carved out to taking up physical space to celebrate Black legacy, Black community, Black spirituality, Black love, Black writers and creatives!
The Magazine Launch Dinner was a night like no other. To be in community with Black writers here on Blackstack, to be at the table with y’all felt real. It felt as though we’ve all known each other our whole lives, truly like cousins. There were no strangers at the table, and the bond this community has I don’t believe we will ever feel like strangers.
The tables were set with divine intention that matched the ambiance of the beautiful venue. Guests arrived with such radiant energy, which elevated the experience for everyone. The attentive restaurant staff at Kokomo kept the vibes going with artisanal libations and nourishing plates. This launch dinner was truly the place to be to start Black History Month off right.
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When Jacquie first approached me to curate an event, we originally thought we’d be working together on a book tour for her book, Untrap the Hood. Then came Blackstack and everything took a pivot that we all witnessed. As this beautiful Black dream fully took shape, I was faced with a personal lesson on grace. I had to patiently watch from afar as Jacquie took on an entirely new mission. I couldn’t rush her along no matter how eager I was to work on this project. On a deeper level, I understood: you can’t rush the pot when chef in the kitchen, cooking. By launch night, I learned my lane included lending a helping hand in the kitchen as requested.
The moment arrives and our vision crystalizes like the sweetest sugar caramelizing just right in the heat of your favorite pan. We’ve been in sync since the very beginning, a budding trust carried through to execution, thank you, Jacquie. As a collective we locked in long nights on zoom, designing, this intentional dedication made all the difference at the table.
Recap? Blackstack’s alchemy was a vibe.
Our dinner’s theme was Genesis: the origin or coming in being of something, i.e. First Suppa. Like the birth of memorable movements before, we communed over a bountiful supper filled with Black love and joy made tangible; all while they “try” to rewrite history…we’re right behind them correcting it.
HUGE BIG UPS to every single attendee, you honored yourselves by showing up for you & I hope you carry the memory of the night with you in joy.
Congratulations to all 78 Black Print PUBLISHED Authors and Creatives!
Behind the scene recap of the intentional planning for building the table here.
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The recipes we have in our cookbook are an accumulation of all of those who come before us. In The Sisterhood by Courtney Thorsson, I learned that it was during a time of great repression that The Sisterhood came together to create space of communion, celebration, and exchange. There was a network of support created during a time that systemic change was underway. The First Suppa is living proof that we are an accumulation of hopes, dreams, courage, wisdom, and determination. We were someone else’s dream. In utter awe at the realization, I was filled with an overwhelm of gratitude for having been part of creating that space. During the dinner I reflected on the mundane and how the small moments can uplift us and offer us strength. A smile. A hug. Words of encouragement. The moments of laughter that roared like a sweet tune of freedom. The flow that our team found. And how that flow created an atmosphere that merely amplified the already high vibe of Kokomo.
Laughter, joy, celebration overflowed. Waves of love filled the room and the energy was palpable. It is one of those things where you had to have been there. Moments that felt like time froze. The First Suppa was a space protected and pure. In 2025, I pray that we experience more moments that uplift us, that we make everyday a cause for celebration, and lean into what waters us. There is significance in the mundane. The moments we take on behalf of the self and on behalf of others. The mundane being everyday life. The mundane i.e. laying each brick for a solid foundation. The First Suppa felt like a homecoming and a family reunion. To many, many more years to come!
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If I am being honest, I am still at a loss for words. It’s only been a week and it feels like I am still in my seat at the table in community with all of you. The workload is getting greater, I don’t mind the load but it’s nice to have support. Consider this the soft launch back into regular newsletters, this Sunday Dinner is about the table we built as a community together.
But don’t worry, I am working on a newsletter to go out next week with topics to get our community newsletters rolling for 2025. Thank you for the support, your patience, and the genuine community.
Let’s pray before we go.
I pray you walk outside everyday with your head held high, proud of who you are.
I pray you step into the room knowing it was built for you.
I pray you recognize your worth.
I pray you lean on your community, this is your community.
I pray you show up for yourself, starting yesterday.
I pray you show others the way as you pave it.
I pray we all win, on our own terms.
I pray we continue to grow as a community, because we need each other right now.
I pray you start your gardens, get those seeds planted NOW.
I pray you shop Black and local, this is how we strengthen community.
I pray you find an outlet, create and cultivate more than ever, alchemy is the way.
I pray you don’t let anything or anyone get in your way of your dreams.
I pray prosperity over your life in this season, struggle is no longer in your path.
I pray you bask in joy, the joy you created for yourself cause no one can steal that.
I pray you know that I love you.
Amen. Asé.
Reminder
Blackstack is a nonprofit print publication, and the magazines are our fundraisers to help support the mission of preserving Black voices. All orders right now are helping to support the purchase of printers needed to print in-house moving forward.
Amazon KDP published the book, however, WE ARE NOT SELLING THE MAGAZINE ON AMAZON - ONLY ON OUR WEBSITE. To purchase the copies at print cost through KDP it’s $35.96 per magazine, in-house will cut that cost AND give us the ability to publish YOUR next book or zine.
Stay on the lookout for my LIVES here on Substack, and upcoming newsletters on the website: www.theblackstack.org
Wow the energy is dancing off the page!! So happy and proud of us! Excited for the rest of the year and beyond🎉🎉
Taking all these prayers with me on my travels this week. Thank you 🙏🏾 for it all!