In honor of Black History Month, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Monmouth County hosted two events that gave members the opportunity to learn about and participate in traditional African and African American culture.
The festivities kicked off on February 23, 2012, with an African Feast that celebrated traditional African cuisine and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Monmouth County’s partnership with the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties. Together, the FoodBank and BGCM brought over 50 kids an African Feast that exposed them to customary dishes from South Africa, Tunisia, and Kenya.
Ray Cattley, FoodBank Chef Instructor, created the menu and oversaw students in the FoodBank’s Culinary Job Traning Program, who prepared the meal. Cattley explained the menu, which featured babotie, couscous with vegetables, and roasted banana and macadamia pudding cake, and each dish’s ingredients to the kids while they enjoyed their meal.
Babotie, a South African dish, is made with spiced minced meat and baked with a milk and egg custard overlay. Couscous with vegetables, a staple in Tunisia, is a pasta dish with vegetables placed on top. Last but not least, kids enjoyed roasted banana and macadamia pudding cake for dessert, a favorite in Kenya.
The event presented BGCM kids with a unique opportunity to try new foods. “It was exciting and wonderful to watch the children enjoy food from another land during Black History Month,” said Mari McMahon, BGCM Director of HR & Operations. “All of them esepcially loved the dessert.”
George, 6 years old
Chinara, 8 years old, & Aniyah, 9 years old
Tymir, 9 years old, Anthony, 7 years old, & Khalil, 8 years old
On February 27, 2012, BGCM also hosted, “Loving the Skin I’m in,” a performing arts showcase that paid homage to African American theater and film. The showcase featured performances by BGCM members and highlighted African American dance, poetry, music, movies, acting, and monologues.
BGCM partnered with Boscov’s at the Monmouth Mall for the event. Boscov’s offered their large auditorium for the performance and provided snacks and refreshments. The event had a wonderful turnout with more than 90 attendees. Connie Leonard, BGCM Development Director, said, “the kids and staff did an amazing job putting the production together. We are so grateful to Boscov’s for helping us share our kids’ talents with the community in celebration of Black History Month.”
BGCM members Kevin, 13 and Devon, 9 perform a routine and dance performance from the movie, “The Wiz”.
The BGCM Asbury Park Unit dance team debuted a new dance routine combing step, hip hop and pop moves.
For more information about BGCM’s Black History Month festivities, contact the main office at 732-775-7862.
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