25 Black Food Creators to Follow This Juneteenth & Beyond

Last Updated on June 18, 2025 by Barbara

Some holidays you can feel in your soul. It’s the time of year when the sun feels a little warmer, music sounds a little brighter and the smell of barbecue lingers in the air. For me, the upcoming Juneteenth holiday is a day of profound joy, deep reflection, and incredible food.

Juneteenth is more than just a day off. It’s a merited celebration of freedom, a testament to resilience, and a powerful reminder of our history. It is a time to gather, to fire up the grill, and honor the legacy of those who came before us. Today, I want to share a piece of that legacy with you and celebrate the contemporary storytellers who are carrying our culinary traditions into the future.

What is Juneteenth?

Juneteenth (a blend of “June” and “nineteenth”) marks the day, June 19, 1865, when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, finally received the news of their freedom. This was a full two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. While many celebrate July 4th as America’s Independence Day, for Black Americans, Juneteenth is our Day of Freedom, the true end of the inhumane institution of slavery in the United States. It’s a day that has been celebrated in our communities for over 150 years, but only recognized as a federal holiday in 2021.

The Taste of Freedom: Juneteenth Food Traditions

From the very first celebrations, food has been at the heart of Juneteenth. After generations of being given discarded unpalatable scraps, the freedom to choose, cook, and share our own food was a spiritual act. The Juneteenth table isn’t just a meal; it’s a history book, with every dish telling a story of our pain, survival, and triumph.

One significant tradition is the color red. Red foods and drinks are staples at every Juneteenth gathering. You’ll see red velvet cake, red sausages, watermelon, and, of course, red soda or hibiscus tea. This color holds deep meaning: it symbolizes the bloodshed and sacrifice of our enslaved ancestors. It also represents the strength, spiritual power, and resilience of our people.

And what’s a summer celebration without barbecue? The grill has always been a beacon of community, a place around which we gather to share stories and abundance. From smoky ribs to perfectly grilled chicken, a barbecue brings the warmth of fellowship and the joy of a shared past.

Uplifting the Creators Carrying the Torch

These traditions are kept alive not just in our family kitchens, but by a gifted community of chefs, bloggers, and content creators who dedicate their craft to celebrating Black culinary heritage. They are our culinary historians and innovators, preserving classic recipes while adding contemporary flair.

Celebrating and supporting these creators is a powerful way to honor the spirit of Juneteenth. By following them, sharing their work, and trying their recipes, you help ensure these stories and flavors are passed down for generations to come.

I know this list only scratches the surface of all the amazing Black food creators sharing their magic online! Please consider this a starting point for discovery. Everyone is listed in no particular order, because this isn’t a competition—it’s a community celebration.

Black Food Creators to Put On Your Radar

1. Soul Food Cooking

• Full disclosure: I’m definitely biased — but hey, it’s my own channel and my own blog, so I get to brag just a little! This space is my pride and joy, and I’m thrilled to share it with you. Welcome to The Queendom of Soul Food Cooking, where I break down all of my favorite comfort and Soul Food recipes in easy, step-by-step tutorials. If you’ve ever wanted to make flawless fried cabbage, truly unforgettable smothered chicken, or the kind of banana pudding people talk about for days, you’re in the right place. I’ve poured my heart into creating over 400 detailed recipes, making sure you have everything you need to feel confident in the kitchen. So come for the food, but I promise you’ll stay for the love!
• Website: SoulFoodCooking101.com
• YouTube: Soul Food Cooking

2. Smokin’ and Grillin’ with AB (Aaron Brown)

• If good food had a hype man, it would undoubtedly be AB. He brings an infectious energy and genuine passion to every dish, celebrating flavors in a way that makes you want to run to your kitchen. Not only is he a beloved member of the Soul Food Cooking Family and one of the largest Black food creators on YouTube, but he’s also a true master of the grill, commanding smoke and fire with an artist’s touch. His channel takes the mystery out of cooking! 
• Website: smokinandgrillinwitab.com
• YouTube: Smokin’ and Grillin’ with AB

3. Grandbaby Cakes (Jocelyn Delk Adams)

• As the foremost expert on nostalgic Southern desserts, Jocelyn artfully reinterprets recipes from generations past with a modern spin. Her cakes are a testament to her skill, managing to be both timelessly classic and excitingly brand new.
• Blog: grandbaby-cakes.com
• YouTube: GrandBaby Cakes

6. Island Vibe Cooking

• This channel transports you straight to a Caribbean kitchen. From Jamaican oxtails to curry goat, every recipe is an authentic celebration of island flavors, delivered with a fun, vibrant energy that makes cooking a joy.
• YouTube: Island Vibe Cooking

7. Chris Cook 4U2

• Chris delivers classic recipes in a relaxed, no fuss style that feels like cooking with family. She’s the aunt you wish was always on kitchen duty at the cookout, serving up pure comfort without any pretense.
• YouTube: Chris Cook 4U2

8. Britney Breaks Bread

• From fluffy cinnamon rolls to rich, savory pies and all the brunch classics in between, Brittany’s cooking turns any morning into a memorable occasion.
• Blog: britneybreaksbread.com
• YouTube: Britney Breaks Bread

9. Camirra’s Kitchen

• Camirra is all about hearty, family-style meals. Her recipes are perfect for Sunday dinner, with a focus on classic dishes, generous portions, and a down-to-earth presentation that feels both familiar and delicious.
• YouTube: Camirra’s Kitchen
• Blog: Camirra’s Kitchen

10. Ray Mack’s Kitchen and Grill

• Ray Mack brings the soul and spirit to Southern food like no one else. His storytelling is as rich as his recipes and his videos will have you nodding, laughing, and cooking all at once. His channel is like a church revival, family reunion, and Food Network masterclass rolled into one.
• YouTube: Ray Mack’s Kitchen and Grill

12. The Soulful Pot (Shaunda Necole)

• Shaunda’s blog is all about bringing family together with food made from the heart. Her recipes are infused with love, comfort, and the joy of creating memories in the kitchen.
• Blog: thesoulfulpot.com
• Instagram: @thesoulfulpot

13. Ellen’s Homemade Delights

• With the credentials of a culinary graduate and the heart of a beloved neighbor, Chef Ellen welcomes you to her kitchen. Her channel is a treasure trove of reliable tutorials for heartwarming meals and classic baked goods, all delivered with a warm smile that makes cooking a joy.
• YouTube: Ellen’s Homemade Delights

14. Cooking at Pam’s Place

• Pam has a nurturing presence in the kitchen that immediately makes you feel right at home. Her reassuring presence and focus on traditional Southern recipes make her channel perfect for anyone wanting to learn the classics.
• YouTube: Cooking at Pam’s Place

15. Charlie Andrews (Charlie The Cook Andrews)

• Journey into the heart of New Orleans cuisine with Charlie Andrews, whose vibrant instruction unveils the secrets to crafting soulful Louisiana dishes. He demystifies complex flavors and traditional techniques, empowering every cook to confidently bring the essence of the Big Easy to their table. Prepare for an engaging culinary adventure that transforms your home kitchen into a hub of rich, authentic Southern taste.
• YouTube: Charlie Andrews
• Website: charliethecookandrews.com

16. Sweet Potato Soul (Jenne Claiborne)

• Jenne’s colorful, plant-based dishes prove that food doesn’t need meat to be magical. A professionally trained chef, her recipes are light, flavorful, and deeply rooted in heritage, inspiring a new generation of vegan food lovers.
• Blog: sweetpotatosoul.com
• YouTube: Sweet Potato Soul

17. Sweet Greens Vegan (Shakayla)

• Flavor packed and meat free, this channel brings Southern inspired vegan eats to the spotlight. Shakayla shows us that you don’t need bacon to make greens pop or dairy to make mac & cheese slap.
• YouTube: Sweet Greens Vegan
• Blog: sweetgreensvegan.com

18. All Wings Everything

• This channel is a masterclass in the art of the chicken wing. From classic buffalo to creative new flavors, you’ll find every style imaginable; fried, baked, smoked, and grilled. It’s the ultimate destination for wing fanatics.
• YouTube: All Wings Everything

19. Whisk It Real Gud (Kim)

• Southern sweets with personality! From lighter than air chiffon cakes to rich, syrupy puddings, Kim’s blog delivers decadent and delightful treats that are rooted in tradition but updated for the modern baker.
• Blog: whiskitrealgud.com
• YouTube: Whisk it Real Gud

20. Old School Soul Food

• This channel is all about tradition. The recipes are authentic, unapologetic, and just like you remember them. It’s the perfect place to learn from a seasoned cook who honors the old ways.
• YouTube: Old School Soul Food

21. Chenée Today

• Chenée’s cake and pie tutorials are polished, precise, and always stunning. With her clear instructions and gorgeous results, your dessert table will look like it came straight out of a cooking magazine.
• Blog: cheneetoday.com
• YouTube: Chenée Today

22. Brown Sugar Food Blog (Jessica)

• Family style recipes meet pure nostalgia. Jessica creates the kind of comforting bakes that make you tear up. Think cinnamon rolls that fill the whole house with their aroma and pecan pies that give grandma a run for her money.
• Blog: https://bsugarmama.com/

23. Sweet Tea & Thyme (Eden)

• With the expertise of a pro chef and the warmth of a Southern kitchen, Eden delivers reliable recipes for hearty meals and classic desserts. Her blog is packed with flavor and feels as comforting as a visit with a good friend.
• Blog: sweetteaandthyme.com

24. That Girl Can Cook!

• The name says it all. Her recipes are a perfect marriage of modern aesthetics and timeless flavor, with each dish presented as a work of art that tastes as good as it looks.
• YouTube: That Girl Can Cook!

25. Chef Lola’s Kitchen

• A festival of West African flavors with homey soul. Chef Lola makes Nigerian cuisine accessible and exciting for everyone, with vibrant rice dishes, hearty stews, and creative techniques that will expand your palate.
• Blog: cheflolaskitchen.com
• YouTube: Chef Lola’s Kitchen