We are excited to have our dear friend and local champion of intercultural exchange, Mr. Jordan Benissan back in the kitchen at PBLS!

Join us for  A Deep Dive into African Influences in American Culture: A History of Denial and Theft. We will be exploring inequity and cultural appropriation in the Black Experience in America. The $45 admission fee includes a tasting sample of numerous dishes associated with American cooking that are in fact direct descendants of African cuisine (not to mention many refugee and immigrant communities over the course of US history. We are happy to work with Mr. Benissan to take a closer look at the food, language, music, dance and so many other “American” cultural phenomena.

Dinner will be served on the beautiful back patio and gardens of Penobscot Bay Language School in Rockland.

Event: “Deep Dive into African Influences in American Culture: A History of Denial and Theft”

Location Penobscot Bay Language School, 28 Gay Street, Rockland, ME.

Date: Tuesday July 19, 2022

Time: 5:30 PM – 8 :00 PM

Cost: $45 (ticket price includes gourmet food, wine/beer and softdrinks) 

Get your tickets here!

Proceeds support our Free ESL of New Mainers program–offering English Language classes and support to all New Mainers! Registered guests will enjoy numerous sample plates of African influenced dishes found in the American cookbook, wine or beer, and a presentation by Chef and world renowned African Music educator and performer, Mr. Jordan Bennisan of Me Lon Togo Restaurant (Rockland). A special guest performer will also be participating in the event to demonstrate one of the most celebrated cultural influences associated with the Black experience in America–Blues Music! The surprise guest will be accompanying Mr. Benissan in a fusion performance of African rhythms layered over traditional American Blues Music.

Much of American Culture as we know it has been forged by many of the peoples that have benefited the least from our “melting pot” of humanity known as the United States of America. Join PBLS staff, volunteers and community members for this wonderful celebration of American cultural heritage – through the lenses of cultural identity, racial inequity and cultural appropriation.