Rant: Supporting Black Owned/Operated Restaurants

Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, celebrating the birthday of this famed activist in the Civil Rights Movement, who also won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 for combating racial inequality, especially through nonviolent resistance. Unfortunately, at the age of only 39 years old, MLK was assassinated in 1968, cutting short his meaningful life. His legacy though has lived on and there are many ways which we can honor his memory. 

As it's the start of 2023, we can make plans for the rest of the year, and I would recommend one way to honor MLK is to opt for something similar to the Boston Black Restaurant Challenge. This is the 6th year of this challenge, which starts on February 1, and continues throughout the entire month, which is also Black History Month. The basic idea is to drink, dine, or order takeout, once a week during February, from any of the various black owned restaurants in Greater Boston, with a list of over 75 places provided on the challenge website.

Although this is an excellent idea, I would like to expand the scope of this Challenge. First, I would like to expand your choices to any restaurant, bar, food shop, wine shop, etc. with a black owner, manager, or chef that exists in New England. Second, I would lengthen the time of the challenge to include the entire year. This shouldn't just be something done in February, but year round, to continue your support long past February. Third, I recommend you write about your experiences, at least on social media, or elsewhere if possible. Plus, tell your family and friends about your positive experiences at these restaurants and more. 

The pandemic has significantly impacted the restaurant industry, and it's said that about 20% of black owned restaurants in the Boston area had to close permanently. Existing black restaurants certainly need our support to help them survive, as pandemic issues still exist and threaten the existence of their restaurants. And they need our support not just in February, but all year round.

Did you know that one of the most famous chefs and restaurateurs in Boston, from the later 18th century to the start of the 19th century was Othello Pollard, a black chef? He initially opened a spot in Cambridge and also catered events at Harvard University. He was most famous for his pastries and confections. 

Barbecue first comes to Boston! Slade's Bar & Grill (once known as Slade's Barbecue) was founded in Roxbury by Renner Slade, a black man, and introduced Boston to North Carolina barbecue. The restaurant's website states the restaurant was founded in 1935, but my own research indicates the restaurant is even older, having actually been established in 1928. As of March 1935, Renner actually owned three barbecue restaurants and was known as the "Barbecue King."

Please make a commitment in 2023 to patronize more black owned/operated restaurants, to actively seek them out and experience their cuisine. If you have any specific restaurant recommendations you would like to share, please provide them in the comments as well.