Black Expo South A Taste of Columbia 2024

 

Black Expo South: A Taste of Columbia

By Javar Juarez 

Friday, May 17th, 2024

A Taste of Columbia Black Expo event was a commendable effort by its organizers. The venue was filled with well-dressed attendees, representing a small but significant fraction of Columbia's emerging influential society, despite the establishment's resistance. This new generation is immersing themselves in art, music, culture, and love, even if their preparations sometimes fall short. The museum showcased dramatic influences from Black artists, including fashion, history, and culture. It was heartening to see Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann and his family present, celebrating and enjoying the festivities in a supportive and stylish manner.

It was difficult at times to listen to the abundance of grievances from locals who seemed to lack a genuine appreciation for the culture and art surrounding them. This included the stunning sketches and outfits on display from renowned designer Sergio Hudson of Ridgeway, SC, on the second floor, as well as the moving civil rights display in the lobby that almost brought me to tears.

In a city with a significant African American population, it is disheartening to see so much criticism and so little recognition of the progress being made. Instead of finding fault, there should be inspiration to build on the strides achieved. While this weekend’s event was the best that could be expected from a Black community still finding its footing, there was a noticeable lack of appreciation for the vendors' hard work. The food, at times, left much to be desired, with some dishes lacking freshness and becoming too muddled.

Despite these shortcomings, there were standout moments. Chef Chris Williams of Roy’s Grille in Irmo, South Carolina, impressed with his take on bread pudding and his petite bite of peas and jerk sauce with crispy chicken skin. Visit Roy's Grille at https://roysgrillesc.com. Lemon Squeeze, LLC, provided the best drink flavors, with their pineapple juice being a particular highlight. Learn more at www.lemonsqueeze.net

African American cuisine in Columbia, South Carolina, still has room for growth. The culinary scene in the diaspora here isn't as elevated as in places like Charleston and nearby Charlotte. This is likely due to limited training and access to funding, which hinders progress within the Black community. Nevertheless, the effort and presence of these vendors are worth celebrating, despite the tough crowd at the tasting.

The evening was encapsulated by a stellar performance from Grammy nominated singer-songwriter Eric Roberson and an inspiring speech from Black Expo's founding partner, Darrin Todd Thomas. The event was lively, with the Partly Cloudy Band's performance spilling out from the second floor into the vestibule. Despite the stifling heat and the discomfort of polyester and mixed fabrics, the attendees persevered.

As your dedicated author, I observed every corner of the room, unbothered by the gaze of critical onlookers, including some out-of-touch elected officials. The evening concluded without incident, marking a victorious night for Columbia, SC.

#richlandcountysc #columbiasc #columbiamuseumofart #downtowncolumbia #blackexpo2024 #tasteofcolumbia

Featured Images: