As soon as it was 11:30 AM on December 11th, the third floor of Community High School came to life with the savory scent of fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, and cornbread combined with the sweet scents of banana pudding and sweet potato pie. The students of Community eagerly lined up for the Black Student Union’s (BSU) annual Soul Food Wednesday fundraiser, an event that has become a well-loved tradition.
Rosie Matish, a CHS sophomore participating in the event for the very first time, expressed sadness about her inability to attend during her freshman year. Now sitting with friends to celebrate the event.
“The food was amazing, especially the chicken,” Matish answered. “I’m glad I didn’t miss it this year. I think it’s a really cool event.”
While waiting in the large line of hungry students, the macaroni and cheese excited CHS junior Paloma Edmonds above all else.
“The food is great, but it’s also really important that we have events like this at our school,” Edmonds said, reflecting on the significance of Soul Food Wednesday.
Soul Food Wednesday was first introduced around 2013. It paused during the pandemic but returned in the following years. The event has become a tradition for BSU, both as a cultural celebration and a way to support their true motive: helping those in need and educating themselves further.
Last year, their funds helped raise a club field trip to the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit, where students explored exhibits on the Black experience in America.
“Learning about these stories from a Black perspective made it much more impactful,” shared Johnathan Carter, a BSU member and CHS senior.
This year’s destination is still on the drawing board; however, the BSU aims to use its funds to support its transportation costs and to aid in funding shelters and community organizations.
“We want to give back to the community,” Carter explained. “It’s not just about us—it’s about uplifting others.”
But this event isn’t just for fundraising. Mia Fletcher, a CHS junior who made a crowd favorite of sweet potato pie, shared her thoughts.
“It’s our biggest event of the year, and it shows this really big part of Black culture,” Fletcher remarked. “It’s really nice to share that with everyone, especially in a school where we don’t have a lot of Black students.”
Carter echoed this feeling, spotlighting the cultural and communal importance of this event.
“It’s about showing the school the diversity of Black culture–not just through music or art, but through food,” he said. “Food is such an important part of our heritage.”
Soul food is deeply rooted in Black heritage, originating from historical trials and tribulations of limited food resources and opportune due to systemic oppression. Over time, it became a symbolization for family, community and empowerment. By serving soul food, the BSU of Community honors the tradition and empowering figure that is soul food.
In the future, BSU hopes to expand Soul Food Wednesday by offering a wider variety of food and drinks to meet their growing demand.
“We sold out of almost everything this year,” Fletcher noted.
The success of this year’s fundraiser has shown the true significance of Soul Food Wednesday.
“It’s a way to celebrate our culture, bring people together and create good memories for everyone involved,” Carter said.
As Soul Food Wednesday continues to grow, BSU remains committed to the legacy of it: promoting education, honoring tradition and making a difference both within and beyond the walls of Community High School.
