In February, I had the honor of serving as the keynote speaker for the 47th Annual Soul Food Dinner hosted by the Black Student Union at the University of Minnesota, Morris.
For nearly five decades, this event has brought together students, faculty, and community members to celebrate culture, history, and the enduring power of community. Being welcomed into a place with such a rich history was not only humbling, but also incredibly significant.
My keynote, “Food Is Memory: Survival, Culture, and the Work of Advocacy,” explored how food functions as more than nourishment; it is memory, identity, and resistance. I shared reflections from my own lived experience, including a childhood memory of surviving on grits during the war in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, and connected that experience to broader histories of resilience across communities of color.
We explored how:
- Food carries cultural memories across generations
- Survival teaches awareness and responsibility
- Community sustains activism and prevents burnout
- Advocacy begins not only in policy, but in preservation
What stood out most to me was the energy in the room, the presence, the reflection, and the shared understanding that these conversations matter.
Events like this are a powerful reminder that cultural traditions are not simply celebrated, they are protected, carried forward, and reimagined by each new generation.
I am deeply grateful to the Black Student Union leadership, advisors, and members for their trust, care, and commitment to sustaining this important tradition.
Selected Speaking Topic
Food, Memory, and Resistance: Culture, Survival, and Advocacy
Interested in Bringing This Talk to Your Community?
I speak at universities, organizations, and conferences on:
- Resilience and identity
- Healing-centered leadership
- Advocacy and community building
- Culture, memory, and social impact
Book Najat to speak: https://najathamza.com/book-me/
