Filmmaker Byron Hurt explores the upsides and downsides of soul food, a quintessential American cuisine. Soul Food Junkies explores the history and social significance of soul food to black cultural identity and its effect on African American health, good and bad. Soul food will also be used as the lens to investigate the dark side of the food industry and the growing food justice movement that has been born in its wake.
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An engaging panel discussion will follow this one hour screening, bringing together local leaders who are making a difference on these topics in our community.
Panelists include:
Chef Michel Nischan wears many hats, from dynamic restaurant owner, award-winning cookbook author, and media personality to food policy advocate and CEO and president of the Wholesome Wave. This non-profit foundation is dedicated to nourishing neighborhoods by supporting increased production and access to healthy, fresh, and affordable locally grown food for the well-being of all.
Mona Jackson is an Executive Chef and CEO of Cook and Grow, a Bridgeport based non-profit organization that uses the garden and kitchen as a classrooms to provide youth with the tools to make better choices about food and maintain healthy eating habits.
Marilyn Moore is the Executive Director of the Bridgeport based Witness Project. This non-profit organization provides culturally and age appropriate breast and cervical cancer education to women in need with a growing focus on the importance of healthy diets and exercise.
Gloria Garcia is the owner of Miss Thelma’s Restaurant, cooking with “heart and soul” in Bridgeport. The recipient of numerous awards, Miss Thelma's continues to be the #1 source of quality and nurturing soul food in and around Fairfield County.
