The music and energy echoed from within Moody Towers Dining Commons as UH Dining Services hosted a Black History Month celebration as part of its Cultural Series. 

The Black History Month celebration was a partnership between UH Dining Services and four student organizations, the Black Business Student Association, UH Sigmas, Black Student Union, and Phi Epsilon Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority. 

Attendees enjoyed the evening’s performances from the Mathias Lattin Blues Band, electric violinist Marion Dubose, and the step team, S.W.A.G.G. Boiz. 

Kadeem Foamkom, Membership Director with the Black Business Student Association, enjoyed the Black History Month celebration from UH Dining because it allowed black organizations from the university an opportunity to get their reach out to the campus community.The event menu consisted of dishes using the Smithsonian's Sweet Home Café Cookbook: A Celebration of African American Cooking. Students and attendees feasted on the following special offerings: 

• Hickory smoked barbecue chicken paired with mac and cheese, slow-cooked ham hock collards, fried okra, and yellow cornbread 
• Build your own shrimp and grits 

• Catfish Po'boy 
• Smothered turkey grillades with fried apples, white rice, and ginger & brown sugar candied sweet potatoes 
• High mesa peach & blackberry cobbler, lemon glazed pound cake, and banana pudding. 

Chad McDonald, Senior Executive Chef for UH Dining Services, said the department was inspired to use the Smithsonian's Sweet Home Café Cookbook because it showcases the rich culture and history of the African American people with traditional, authentic offerings as well as present-day food traditions. 

"The National Museum of African American History & Culture in Washington D.C. is the only national museum devoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life, history, and culture," said McDonald. "Sweet Home Café is the newest dining experience at this Smithsonian Museum with delicious recipes featured by Executive Chef Jerome Grant." 

The Black History Month celebration differed from past Cultural Series events in that it featured an indoor farmer’s market with Black-owned businesses. In attendance were the Bridge Imports, Tsunami Hair Grooming, Lemonade King, Gems by Chole, and Desire Energy. 

Christal Biney, an engineering freshman, enjoyed the entertainment and food but also appreciated that it was informative as the screens in the dining room displayed information about Black history in the U.S. 

“There’s so many Black Americans at our school who share this culture,” said Biney. “And I think it’s really nice that the university has taken some time to learn and to display this really nice event.”