Students
Students
Honoring Heritage, Inspiring Community: Black History Month at JWU Charlotte
Written by Cyrah Emile ’28, a food science major who works as a student assistant at JWU, contributing to JWU News.
Black History Month at JWU Charlotte was marked by a series of meaningful events and experiences that celebrated culture, creativity and community. From hands-on learning in the kitchen to powerful conversations and vibrant campus gatherings, students, faculty and staff came together to honor and uplift Black voices and contributions.
A Global Table: Exploring African Cuisine
Chef Fred Tiess, instructor for Global à la Carte, led several classes themed around African cuisine. Students prepared dishes like Moroccan grilled lamb served with harissa, Berbere-spiced Ethiopian beef and creamy calabaza squash. "The purpose of the course is to expose students to new flavors and techniques; I want students to realize that it’s not just the Europeans that we can learn from,” said Chef Tiess.
"We’re learning different cooking methods and techniques as each class focuses on a different country. We’re using different staples from different countries," shared Andrew Mannino ’26, culinary arts and food & beverage industry management major.
An Evening of Celebration & Excellence: The Afro Gala
Building on this exploration of culture through cuisine, students also gathered to celebrate Black excellence in a more formal and festive setting. The Afro Gala, hosted by the Black Student Union, celebrated Black excellence through culture, art and food.
The JWU Bartenders Guild provided refreshments, including a zero-proof dark rum with orange and lemon juice, cinnamon and cloves and a Rooibos tea-based drink with rosemary-infused agave. The evening included foods like fried chicken and waffle bites with hot honey, hushpuppies, jerk chicken skewers, mac & cheese bites and more.
“Events like these are important because they intentionally create space to celebrate Black culture, excellence and creativity on our campus in a way that feels elevated and affirming,” shared Lacyna Redmond ’26, hospitality management major and campus activities board president.
Dajuan Lasane ’29, hospitality management major, Randolph Sanders ’28, culinary arts and food & beverage industry management major and Landon Stanbeck ’26, fashion merchandising & retailing major shared powerful poems and artwork that added cultural depth to the celebratory night.
Test Your Knowledge: Black History Trivia
While the Afro Gala highlighted celebration and expression, other initiatives throughout the month encouraged learning and reflection in engaging, interactive ways.
Dean of Students Dena Warren hosted a trivia series through jwuLink, offering gift cards in exchange for correctly answered questions related to Black history.
Throughout the month, questions were posted to jwuLink. This creative and interactive initiative was a great way for students to test their knowledge, reflect on history and learn something new in the process.
Beyond campus engagement, students and faculty also connected with the greater Charlotte community through meaningful dialogue on media and representation.
In Conversation: Black Voices in Media with Dr. Jelani Cobb
JWU faculty member Teofil Husar of the College of Arts & Sciences reflected on his experience after attending the community forum “The State of News in America,” where dialogue and diverse perspectives took center stage. The event, sponsored by The Charlotte Center, an organization supported by JWU and led by Professor Mark Peres, brought the community together with a shared purpose: to deepen insight and foster human connection.
The highlight of the forum was the keynote provided by Dean of Columbia Journalism School, Peabody Award–winning PBS Frontline correspondent and longtime New Yorker staff writer, Dr. Jelani Cobb. Cobb explored journalism’s role in democracy, and why it matters now more than ever. "Cobb spoke about the changes that have been made and are being made in the American media noting that out of 24,000 newspapers in the 70s, now there are only about 6,000. It was a productive evening, with a packed hall and open conversations. I particularly enjoyed his analogy with car insurance — if there are a few 'stupid drivers' who break the rules of the road and cause accidents, it doesn't mean that the rest of the population doesn't get car insurance," said Husar.
A Month of Meaning, A Lasting Impact
Together, these events reflect JWU’s commitment to honoring Black history not only through celebration, but through education, dialogue and shared experience. Throughout the month, the campus community came together to recognize the impact of Black culture and contributions — creating moments that will continue to inspire well beyond Black History Month.
