The Black Diamonds Club, a community of diverse youth passionate about uplifting black students, hosted a delightful gathering that merged the joys of heritage and cooking. Members came together in the Food and Nutrition room 117 to partake in different traditional recipes and cuisine. At this particular event, the members baked delicious banana bread and cooked FuFu with light soup, a traditional African dish.
The Black Diamonds Club firmly believes that food is more than just sustenance – it’s a cultural artifact that connects people, tradition, and memories. By coming together, members can foster friendships, and exchange ideas, and knowledge.
The aroma of freshly baked banana bread filled the air, a testament to the baker’s hard work and dedication to their craft. Meanwhile, as the pot of fufu simmered on the stove, its heavenly aroma mingled with the sweet fragrance of plantain. Members took turns stirring the starchy mixture, laughing, and dancing to the Afrobeat mix playing over the speakers.
Ms. Yaya Agyemang, the head supervisor of the Black Diamonds club, expressed her deep affection for African cuisine, rooted in her Ghanaian heritage. FuFu, a cherished dish from her homeland, held a special place in her heart, which encouraged her to introduce it to the club. She expressed that this event was to showcase African culture while reinforcing the values of teamwork and community within the club.
In an interview with one of the members of Black Diamonds, they shared their experience and takeaway from the event.
One member shared, “Learning how to make the FuFu allowed me to have fun while learning new life skills. The overall experience was amazing because it wasn’t something we got to do every day. Also, the music playing allowed me to embrace my culture.”
“This school doesn’t often celebrate black people and our culture, so when I’m with my people, I feel like I’m expressing my culture and I feel safe because I’m learning with them and having fun with them.”
Another member shared what they thought the purpose of the event was. They highlighted that, “We were able to come together as one and cook together, which was clever, because it seemed like not everybody in the club could cook, so it was a way of learning, not only how to cook but how to cook dishes from a different culture. It was also a way to learn new things because I had heard of FuFu, but I had never tried it before. So, learning how to make it and then eating it after that exposed me to this new dish.”
“In general, it was a fun vibe, music was playing, there was a lot of laughter and the food was good, so it was a nice experience.”
Through these gatherings, the Black Diamonds club not only celebrates the art of cooking but also promotes a sense of community. Regardless of background or experience level, all were welcome to join in the culinary adventure, where the only requirement is a passion for food and a willingness to share. In doing so, the Black Diamonds continue to uphold their mission of preserving culinary traditions, upholding community, and savoring the joys of good food and friendship.
THE NORTH STAR 