Let Us Break Bread Together

Monday, May 26, 2026

In March, we hosted a session of our Good and Cheap cooking class designed specifically for Black men. The idea was inspired by Darron and his father — regulars in our restaurant who take healthy eating seriously and wanted to create space for conversations around wellness, food, and community.

I facilitated the class and often felt a little out of place, even humbled by the experience. I cannot speak to the lived experience of being a Black man in America. But statistics paint a sobering picture: Black Americans are incarcerated at nearly five times the rate of white Americans, Black men are disproportionately affected by police violence, and Black adults experience higher rates of hypertension and diabetes than white adults. Access to quality healthcare, nutritious food, and preventative wellness resources remains deeply unequal.

What I do understand is food — and its ability not only to nourish our bodies, but to nourish our souls when shared in community.

The class focused on the basics of nutrition, particularly the connection between diet, diabetes, and hypertension. Each session included a cooking demonstration centered on affordable, healthy meals that supported the nutritional lesson of the day. But the most meaningful moments happened after the cooking was finished.

Around the table, conversations unfolded naturally. Men who had not previously known one another spoke openly about racial discrimination, family, poverty, mental health, addiction, music, politics, and community organizing. Once again, I was reminded how people open up when they share a meal together. Breaking bread creates connection in ways that go far beyond the food itself.

That belief has always been at the heart of Convivium: create spaces for people to connect through food, and you help improve lives. 

Although the original class lasted several weeks in March, the participants asked to continue gathering. Beginning Tuesday, June 2, we will expand the program into a monthly Black Men’s Wellness Group covering emotional, financial, spiritual, physical, relational, and personal growth topics. We will meet the first Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m. at Convivium, and each gathering will include a shared meal.

To RSVP, email leslie@convivium-dbq.com. If you would like to help support this program financially, please consider making a donation.

Yours convivially,