Black History Month, or National African American History Month, is an annual celebration of achievements by black Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of African Americans in U.S. history.
The event grew out of Black History Week, the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, the month of February has been designated as National African American History Month.
At Publix, we value the diversity of our associates and the unique perspectives they bring. During this month, we honor the contributions of African Americans who have helped shape the opportunities we enjoy today.
A consumer perspective
African American consumers make up a diverse group of trendsetters, education enthusiasts, media influencers, social activists and content creators.
The most recent U.S. Census information shows African Americans continue to represent a significant percentage of growth in the U.S. — currently at 46.3 million or 14 percent of the total population. It’s projected that by 2060, the black population will increase to 74.5 million or 17.9 percent of the total population.
The 2016 Nielsen report on African American consumers projects their overall spending power to reach $1.4 trillion by 2020. According to the University of Georgia’s Selig Center for Economic Growth, that combined spending power will equal the 15th largest economy in the world in terms of gross domestic product — the size of Mexico, based on World Bank data.
Nielsen research also shows African American households spend more on basic food ingredients and beverages and tend to value the food preparation process, spending more time than average preparing meals. Other popular buying categories include fragrances, personal health and beauty products -— as well as household care and cleaning products.
Black consumers are digitally empowered and well-versed in social media. And African Americans are youthful — with an average age of 31.4 as opposed to 36.7 for the total population — and rising in cultural influence, driving mainstream trends in music, television and other areas.
African Americans represent a substantial growth segment of the American consumer market. As a young population with growing economic power and influence, they’re leaving a permanent footprint on today’s rapidly changing market.
Sources: Nielsen, U.S. Census Bureau
What’s cooking with famous African American TV chefs?
Marcus Samuelsson
Marcus Samuelsson
Marcus Samuelsson is executive chef and co-owner of New York restaurants Aquavit, AQ Café at Scandinavia House, and Riingo. The youngest chef ever to receive two three-star ratings from The New York Times, he is the star of Discovery Home Channel’s “The Inner Chef” and the author of “The Soul of a New Cuisine” and “Aquavit: And the New Scandinavian Cuisine.” His latest book, ”New American Table,” contains more than 300 recipes that embody the spirit of American cuisine. Marcus has also judged competitions for ”Top Chef,” “Iron Chef America” and Food Network’s “Chopped.”
Chef Roblé Ali
Roble Ali
A Brooklyn caterer, Roblé Ali first hit the tube on Bravo’s “Chef Roblé & Co.,” which followed the young entrepreneur as he began catering to New York’s elite. No word on whether Chef Roblé and his band of misfit caterers will return for Season 2, but this chef is definitely one to watch. Now, Roblé is known as one of the youngest and hottest chefs throughout the country and is often called upon to cook for daytime shows like “Today” and “The Wendy Williams Show.”
G. Garvin
G Garvin
Gerry Garvin, known simply as “G,” has cooking techniques adaptable for the at-home cook. His show on TV One, “Turn Up the Heat with G. Garvin” showcased his philosophy, which is “If I can do it, you can do it.” Chef G continues heating up the screen with his new show on the Cooking Channel, “Road Trip with G. Garvin,” which takes viewers through the South in search of the best cuisine.
Sunny Anderson
Sunny Anderson
Sunny Anderson is an Air Force veteran and award-winning broadcaster who started cooking for her friends in the entertainment business and turned a growing client list into a catering company. Her first show was a food gadget show on Food Network, “Gotta Get It,” followed by “Cooking for Real,” “How’d That Get On My Plate” and “Home Made in America with Sunny Anderson.”
Lorraine Pascale
Lorraine Pascale
A highly successful fashion model in the ’90s, Lorraine Pascale fronted campaigns for brands including Versace, Donna Karan, Katharine Hamnett and The Gap. At the start of 2000, Lorraine left her successful modeling career to pursue her long-time passion for cooking. Currently audiences can find Lorraine on Cooking Channel’s “Fresh, Fast and Easy.” She also serves as a mentor on “Worst Bakers in America” and a judge on Food Network’s “Holiday Baking Championship.”
Abby Fisher’s corn egg bread
Abby Fisher
As we acknowledge the historic accomplishments of African Americans during this monthlong celebration, we would like to recognize Abby Fisher — a former slave and the first known African American cookbook author — by sharing a recipe from her book, “What Mrs. Fisher Knows About Old Southern Cooking: Soups, Pickles, Preserves, Etc.” published in 1881 by the Women’s Cooperative Printing Office in San Francisco.
Abby Fisher’s cookbook: “What Mrs. Fisher Knows About Old Southern Cooking: Soups, Pickles, Preserves, Etc.”
The original recipe was written as: “Two eggs, one pint of meal, half pint of sour milk, one teaspoonful of soda, – beat eggs very light, – one tablespoonful of melted lard or butter, mix all together, well stirred or beaten. Bake in an ordinary pan.”
Modern adaptation of recipe
Ingredients
1 cup milk + 2 teaspoons vinegar (sour milk)
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 Tbsp melted butter
2 cups cornmeal
1 tsp baking soda
Steps
1. Preheat the oven to 400 F.
2. To make sour milk, add 2 teaspoons vinegar to 1 cup milk. Let the sour milk sit for a few minutes.
3. Combine and stir all the ingredients with a wooden spoon in a bowl until well mixed.
4. Generously spray an 8×8 square baking dish with nonstick spray.
5. Pour the batter into the baking dish. Bake for 15 – 17 minutes until the bread is set and does not jiggle in the center.
Test your knowledge
Across
4. Invented an automatic bread-making machine
8. Developed more than 300 uses for peanuts and helped popularize the food
10. Created the ice cream dispenser (scoop)
12. Published the oldest known cookbook (1881) written by a former slave
Down
1. Invented the egg-beater/mixing device
2. Developed automatic refrigeration system for trucks and railroad cars to transport perishable products
3. Developed a method for refining sugar into crystallized granules
5. Invented a number of ways to better preserve food; many of his methods are still used today
6. First African American to build a billion-dollar snack food, beverage and grocery conglomerate, TLC Beatrice International; it became the largest African American owned and managed business in the United States
7. Created a biscuit cutter
9. Invented the potato chip
11. Developed ways to create safe food supply for astronauts; also developed techniques for the detection of bacteria in drinking water and foods
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Answers to Test your knowledge
Across
4. Joseph Lee
8. George Washington Carver
10. Alfred Cralle
12. Abby Fisher
Down
1. Willis Johnson
2. Frederick McKinley Jones
3. Norbert Rillieux
5. Lloyd Augustus Hall
6. Reginald Lewis
7. Alexander Ashbourne
9. George Crum
11. Emmett Chappelle
