Rooted in Health: A Journey Through Ancestral Eating and Plant-Based Traditions in Charleston with Chef WiBi Ashley

Discover the rich legacy of health and wellness in African American and African Diasporic communities through an interactive workshop with Chef WiBi Ashley. We will explore the importance of healthy eating within the African American community, with a focus on Charleston’s and West Africa’s plant-based traditions. We will delve into how our enslaved ancestors relied on a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, grown locally and consumed in season.

The workshop will also emphasize the role of cultural and culinary memory in shaping how Black communities eat today, both in the South and throughout the diaspora. Additionally, we will tie in the knowledge and practices of plantation cooks like Abby Fisher, who were not just cooks but also herbalists with a deep understanding of plants and their healing properties. Finally, we will connect these themes with Recipes for Futurity—healthy, forward-thinking eating practices rooted in our ancestral wisdom.

This workshop is suitable for all ages and encourages family participation.

We invite you to join us on Thursday, November 21 as we explore the importance of honoring and sustaining ancestral legacies through a focus on holistic nutrition and well-being.