CineClub DEI Series

Embark on a Global Soul Food Journey with Celebrity Chef Alisa Reynolds! On Lok's Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council invites you to CineClub journey through the rich history and flavors of soul food from Mississippi to South Africa, Italy, Jamaica, and beyond.

The DEI Council believes that at the heart of On Lok beats a vision where each member of our staff community comprehends and embodies our core values, sparking a cycle of collaboration, cooperation, and innovation. By supporting open dialogues and partnering across all levels of the organization, the Council helps to integrate DEI values into every aspect of our operations. Through its work, the Council strives to foster an inclusive culture that leverages diversity as a strength and aligns seamlessly with the organization’s core values and objectives.

This effort strengthens our shared commitment to a future where inclusivity is the cornerstone of our success, empowering every individual at On Lok to flourish and contribute meaningfully.

To this point, On Lok’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council invites you to a CineClub journey around the world:

Come join us as together we take a virtual journey searching for soul food with celebrity chef Alisa Reynolds as she explores discovering soul food across the globe while bringing her own spice to the table.

Highlighting that soul food is survival food is a powerful testament to its transformation into some of the most exquisite cuisines worldwide.

Here in the States, we’ll travel from Mississippi to Oklahoma to Appalachia and end up in Los Angeles, Alisa’s hometown. We’ll also uncover the influence of soul food in South Africa, Italy, Jamaica, and Peru.

If you are interested in supporting any of these Brown—and Black-owned soul food eateries while you watch Zoom with us, please take a look at the attached list.

Join us for all 8 episodes!

The first one kicks off on:

EPISODE 1

Mississippi

Tuesday, Sept 10, noon – 1pm

"Chef Alisa Reynolds, French-trained with a soul food foundation, returns to the roots of the soul food story with a journey to Mississippi to uncover the origins of this American cuisine."

EPISODE 2

Oklahoma

Tuesday, Sept 17, noon – 1pm

"Chef Alisa heads to Oklahoma to meet and eat with Native Americans who are reconnecting to their heritage by restoring and reclaiming their food."

EPISODE 3

Appalachia

Tuesday, Sept 24, noon – 1pm

"Chef Alisa heads for the hills to uncover the heart and humanity beneath the stereotypes and behind the food of people in Appalachian.

EPISODE 4

South Africa

Tuesday, Oct 1, noon – 1pm

"In her first ever trip to The Motherland, Chef Alisa cooks and eats her way through Cape Town, South Africa, a city with a complex culture of food formed by an even more complicated history."

EPISODE 5

Italy, Naples

Tuesday, Oct 8, noon – 1pm

"Chef Alisa experiences the passion of Neapolitans for the dish perfected by its poorest people that became one of the most beloved comfort foods in the world."

EPISODE 6

Jamaica, Portland

Tuesday, Oct 15, noon – 1pm

"In Jamaica's Portland parish, Chef leaves the beaches for higher ground to uncover the little known story of resistance behind one of Jamaica's most iconic foods."

EPISODE 7

Peru, Lima

Tuesday, Oct 22, noon – 1pm

"Chef Alisa dives into the diverse cultures who combined their culinary traditions with the natural bounty of Peru to elevate Lima into one of the culinary capitals of the world."

EPISODE 8

Los Angeles

Tuesday, Oct 29, noon – 1pm

"She's been around the world and back again, and now Chef Alisa is seeing her own city with new eyes as she returns to the roots of LA food culture to find the source of its soul."