The age-old debate of flats versus drums is enough to break the internet on any given day. Because when it comes to food, Black. People. Don’t. Play.
We have strong feelings about our mac and cheese, our potato salad, our grits—if you’re from the South, and our jollof rice—if you’ve got West African roots.
So, what better way to start a movement for the culture than with food?
Enter Black Food Fridays.
KJ Kearney launched the idea last April, starting an Instagram account to shed light on Black-owned restaurants open during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. At that time, data showed Black business owners were getting significantly less approvals for financial assistance than their white counterparts to keep business afloat. And this has been historically true, pandemic or not.
The premise is simple: every Friday, eat at a Black-owned restaurant and post about it online to encourage others to do the same.
“It was less about the food and more about me putting a lot of different pieces together in terms of civic engagement, community engagement, community organizing … loving to eat and loving Black people,” Kearney told The Block.
Almost a year later, Black Food Fridays has become a social media phenomenon well worth the hype. Late last year, he expanded the vision to share Black food facts on TikTok. Now, he has some 107,000 combined followers and counting, all showing the world Black people have been about this good food and drink life.
Building Something Better
Originally from North Charleston, S.C., Kearney was the kid who read entire encyclopedia sets and found entertainment in the fine print of commercials and advertisements.
He went to college early, calling South Carolina State University home. From there, his business degree and knack for community organizing led him in multiple directions, from documenting streetwear culture to running for office.
Black Food Fridays isn’t a policy or program, but it’s still bringing about change. Kearney hopes it will result in Black food culture gaining more respect and exposure.
“The good thing about what I’m doing is—because I’m talking about food, it doesn’t seem overtly political,” Kearney explained.
“Black economic empowerment, a new love for education and the idea of showing Black food history is American food history—that’s what I want this to be.”
KJ Kearney
And it’s working.
Kearney recalled a white father messaging him on Instagram.
“He said, ‘I was living down the street from a Black-owned restaurant for 16 years, and I did not know that restaurant existed.’
“For 16 years, this man had been driving by this building and never stepped foot inside until I highlighted that business,” Kearney continued. “He decided to, every Friday, take his daughters to this Black-owned ice cream shop. That’s a real, tangible benefit not only for that business but for the development of his children.
“Because they’re going to grow up with the idea of supporting Black businesses not being foreign to them.”
Make ‘Em Feel Something
With such a quick rise in popularity, it’s hard to believe he (admittedly) only started taking TikTok seriously in January after friend and fellow foodie Anela Malik recommended he give the platform a try.
“There’s really no way for me to wrap my brain around how many people are watching this and learning and more importantly, sharing it with other people so they can learn too,” Kearney said.
He’s not dancing or lip syncing. He’s not telling jokes or hopping on hashtag trends. Nor does he need to.
Dropping quick Black food history in his signature beanie proved to be enough.
“I love ingesting information, so I knew I wanted to bring substance,” Kearney said.
In addition, he vowed to focus on quality content, rather than views, likes and follows. He set the goal of simply giving people a good feeling about learning something new.
“I would start with the feeling and work my way backwards,” Kearney said. “[All of this grew after] one month of concentrated effort, not on numbers but on an emotional result.”
Though the pandemic hit hard, it also invigorated Black creatives like Kearney to use their voice and talents to amplify issues important to the Black community. He’s seen what can be done through smart connections and a qualitative business approach.
“I would say to any Black person, no matter what their creativity is, don’t be led by the number,” he said.
“What is your ‘truth north’ … the thing you’re always reaching towards? Focus on that instead.
“If you’re focused on creating that experience, the people gone show up.”
Connect with KJ Kearney and Black Food Fridays on Instagram and TikTok, as well as BlackFoodFridays.com.
