Think you’ve been to a cookout? Well, you haven’t been to THE Cookout. Now is your chance, however, thanks to Associated Black Charities’ (ABC) brand new signature event and awareness campaign.
“The Cookout” will be a celebration of Black culture, strength, and community honoring the rich traditions, contributions, and spirit of Black people, held at Canton Waterfront Park on Sept. 14 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
“In the Black community, ‘a cookout’ is more than a casual get-together; it’s a cherished tradition, a safe space where family and friends gather to celebrate, share stories, and build bonds,” according to ABC. “It’s where the grill sizzles with anticipation, laughter fills the air, and a sense of unity pervades.”
“While this event isn’t a traditional cookout, ‘The Cookout,’ as ABC presents it, takes this deeply rooted tradition and amplifies it to create a broader, more inclusive experience—one that invites the entire community to share in the warmth, trust, and togetherness that are the hallmarks of this cultural institution,” ABC wrote.
“The Cookout” is special because to make the event inclusive, ABC is opening a cherished and personal cultural tradition to the public, when a large segment of that public is not in the habit of centering Black life or showing it the proper deference when invited in as a guest. ABC is not simply inviting the public to an event; they’re inviting it into a space of Black trust and tradition.
ABC is creating a free, family-friendly celebration where everyone can experience the “richness of the culture and the strength of the Black community” with entertainment and activities people of all ages can enjoy. There will be a movement march and rally to demonstrate a commitment to equity, justice, and the future ABC envisions building with its community, events like these acting as a conduit.
“The Cookout” is presented by The Harbor Bank of Maryland and hosted by Baltimore’s own Scola Dinero (Dru Hill). Attendees will be able to open new accounts, explore other community resources, and engage with one another. The vibe will be that of a giant family reunion, with joy, togetherness, shared heritage, and a spirit of doing the work to achieve equity and inclusion.
“’The Cookout’ is more than just an event; it’s a celebration of our heritage, our resilience, and our commitment to building a future rooted in equity and justice,” said Chrissy M. Thornton, president and CEO of Associated Black Charities. “ It’s about coming together in a space where our stories are honored, our traditions are upheld, and our community’s spirit shines brightly.”
There is a long embarrassing history of white people not knowing how to behave at traditional Black community’s cookout, which is why in general we are not invited. It’s the subject of countless memes, Reddit threads, and hilarious-but-spot-on culture pieces in publications like The Grio, Medium, and The Root.
The most famous and egregious affront involves bringing potato salad that contains raisins. Do NOT do that. Also, don’t put breadcrumbs on the mac and cheese, don’t complain about spices, and don’t show up empty-handed (napkins, plates, cups are always welcome). Google is our friend.
The inimitable scribe of Black culture at The Grio, Michael Hariot relayed updated Black cookout protocol in 2022 from the “Black Legislative American Cookout Council” (BLACC). Sadly, yet understandably, Hariot wrote the council “voted to extend their ban on white people. They promised to hold another vote when, as the press release said, ‘white people start acting like they got some sense.’”
Associated Black Charities’ mission is to dismantle the harm caused by racism, and they do it by uplifting the community around them through community programs, educational initiatives, and advocacy efforts. So, take full advantage of this rare opportunity to learn and build bridges across peppery collard greens and raisin-less potato salad!
For more information on ABC’s “The Cookout: A Celebration of Black Culture and Resilience,” held at Sept. 14, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., click this link. Canton Waterfront Park is located at 3001 Boston St., Baltimore, MD.
