August 23, 6:00 P.M. Talk: Food, Resistance, and Black Joy Presented by Pepsi Dig In
August 23, 2023 06:00 PM
A book signing, talk, and tasting with Maya-Camille Broussard of Justice of the Pies and Kleaver Cruz of the Black Joy Project
25 11th Ave, New York, NY 10011, USA
What does “Black joy” mean to Black people? This is a question that writer and creator Kleaver Cruz has been interrogating through their initiative, the Black Joy Project. Black joy as an act of resistance resonated with chef Maya-Camille Broussard, so much so that it inspired her Brandied Banana Butterscotch Pie in her first cookbook, Justice of the Pies: Sweet and Savory Pies, Quiches, and Tarts plus Inspirational Stories from Exceptional People. For this event, Maya-Camille and Kleaver Cruz will discuss the ways in which the Black Joy Project and Justice of the Pies are inspired by and connected to Black history and culture. The talk will conclude with a signing of Maya-Camille's cookbook led by BEM Books & More, a bookstore for Black food literature, and a tasting of the not-to-be-missed Brandied Banana Butterscotch Pie.
General Admission: $25
About Maya-Camille Broussard:
Maya-Camille, 2022 James Beard Awards nominee for Outstanding Baker, is the chef and owner of Justice of the Pies, a bakery that specializes in sweet and savory pies, quiches, and tarts. Located on the South Side of Chicago, Justice of the Pies is a social mission–based bakery that focuses on combating food insecurities.
In 2014, Broussard founded her bakery in memory of her late father to celebrate his love of pies and honor his belief that as a criminal defense attorney, people deserve second chances. The bakery considers itself to be a steward of fairness and equality and focuses on initiatives surrounding food issues.
Broussard is also one of the stars of Netflix’s Bake Squad and she released her first cookbook, Justice of the Pies: Sweet and Savory Pies, Quiches, and Tarts plus Inspirational Stories from Exceptional People: A Baking Book in 2022. Her book was named by Food & Wine as one of the best cookbooks of the fall.
About Kleaver Cruz:
Kleaver Cruz (they/them) from Uptown New York City, is a Black, queer, Dominican-American creative, writer, and educator. Cruz has presented and conducted work across the African Diaspora in places like Brazil, South Africa, and the Netherlands, among other countries. Cruz is the creator of the Black Joy Project, a digital and real-world affirmation that Black joy is resistance. Kleaver is also a member of We Are All Dominican, a U.S.-based grassroots collective that works in solidarity with movements led by Dominicans of Haitian descent fighting for inclusion and citizenship rights in the Dominican Republic. Kleaver is the author of The Black Joy Project, which debuts in December with Mariner Books/Harper Collins.
Tickets to events held at Platform at Pier 57 by the James Beard Foundation cover the cost of food, education and a unique dining experience. Meals are prepared by culinary masters from all regions of the United States and around the world. Unless otherwise stated, alcoholic beverages are provided on a complimentary basis and are not included in the ticket price.
James Beard Foundation events permit guests age 21 years and older to attend events where alcoholic beverages are served.
