County’s Award-Winning Created Equal Program Explores the Soul of Food and Cultural Storytelling
Tuesday, April 21, Leon County Government and The Village Square hosted the eleventh annual Created Equal program, titled “Created Equal: The Soul of Food,” at The Moon, 1105 E. Lafayette St. This award-winning program explored the powerful ways food connects culture, history and community through shared traditions and lived experiences. The event was free and open to the public, with food and beverages provided to enhance the conversation.
Recognizing the deep cultural significance and evolution of culinary traditions, this year’s program examined how food tells stories of survival, adaptation and celebration across generations. From recipes carried across oceans to dishes born of ingenuity and resilience, food has long served as a living record of the Black and Brown experience, preserving history, strengthening community and nourishing both body and soul.
“Created Equal continues to provide meaningful opportunities for our community to come together and engage in thoughtful dialogue,” said Leon County Commission Chairman Christian Caban. “This year’s focus on food highlights how culture and history are preserved through everyday traditions and offers a powerful lens for understanding one another.”
Through a discussion-based panel, attendees delved into how culinary traditions have evolved and how personal stories of food reveal deeper truths about identity, belonging and resilience. The evening celebrated food as a powerful expression of love, memory and community.
“Programs like Created Equal reflect the County’s commitment to fostering inclusive conversations that bring people together,” said Leon County Administrator Vincent S. Long. “By exploring the cultural significance of food, this year’s event created space for connection, understanding, and shared experience across our community.”
Linda Bond Edwards — mediator, arbitrator, workplace consultant and chair of The Village Square Board of Directors — moderated the panel, which featured:
Rosalind Bentley, deputy editor of the Southern Foodways Alliance, which documents and studies the diverse food cultures of the changing American South, and professor of practice in the Narrative Nonfiction Master of Fine Arts Program at the University of Georgia
Yolonda Bowman, founder and owner of Blackberry Mimosa, a growing culinary brand known for creating memorable food experiences rooted in Southern tradition and hospitality
Ravi Howard, American novelist and assistant professor in the creative writing program at Florida State University
Jay Morrell, co-owner of Earley’s Kitchen, a beloved local restaurant with roots dating back to 1984
“Created Equal continues to be a cornerstone of the community gatherings that are at the heart of The Village Square model,” said The Village Square Director Christine Cox. “Through respectful and open-minded conversations like these, we can bridge divides. And since food is something deeply personal yet universally shared, this year’s focus was an ideal way to explore the culture, history, and stories that connect us all.”
The award-winning Created Equal program builds on the success of previous events and continues to encourage frank conversations on race and racial inequity. The Created Equal program is part of Leon County’s Citizen Engagement Series, which connects residents of diverse backgrounds, education, and age on a variety of topics that matter most in our community. Find the next upcoming discussion at LeonCountyFL.gov/GetEngaged.
To view photos from the event, visit LeonPhotos.com. For more information, contact Mathieu Cavell, Leon County Community and Media Relations, at 850-606-5300 / CMR@LeonCountyFL.gov.
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