259 - James Hemings: America’s Culinary Founding Father with Chef Ashbell McElveen and Visual Storyteller Anthony Werhun

Be the Bridge Podcast with Latasha Morrison

There is so much about American history that we aren’t taught in the American school systems. There is so much that isn’t exposed. But this episode of the Be the Bridge Podcast reveals America’s culinary founding father, James Hemings. Chef Ashbell McElveen and Visual Storyteller Anthony Werhun discuss their new documentary on Hemings with Latasha Morrison. Their conversation is full of untold stories, rich Black history, and collective lament. This is a reminder of the importance of stewarding history well and reclaiming stories that need to be told. This is an episode you do not want to miss.

Quotes:
“We want to make sure that we're passing on the correct information to the next generation because stories matter, narratives matter, history matters, who has power matters, who tells the story. It all matters.” -Latasha Morrison

“Through the making of this documentary with James Hemings, I discovered that literally enslaved Black cooks and chefs created fine dining in America. So James Hemings literally put fine taste in Thomas Jefferson's mouth, not the reverse. And that's the value of this documentary.” -Chef Ashbell McElveen

"James Hemings was a big part of this country's formation. And for some reason, that story has been oppressed for a couple 100 years. It's just this little blurb, but it's much bigger.” -Anthony Werhun

Resources Mentioned:
James Hemings: Ghost in America’s Kitchen documentary on Amazon Prime Video
James Hemings: Ghost in America’s Kitchen Facebook profile
James Hemings: Ghost in America’s Kitchen Instagram profile
James Hemings: Ghost in America’s Kitchen website
Shannon LaNier
Voices of the Civil Rights Movement
Black Culinary History

Connect with Chef Ashbell McElveen: His Website Facebook Instagram

Connect with Anthony Werhun: His Website Facebook Instagram Connect with Be the Bridge: Our Website Facebook Instagram

Host & Executive Producer - Latasha Morrison
Senior Producer - Lauren C. Brown
Producer, Editor, & Music - Travon Potts
Transcriber - Sarah Connatser