Black History Month Episodes

As we honor Black History Month’s centennial in 2026, I sat down with two powerhouse guests, Zoe Moore and Diane Brown, to discuss how event design can truly honor Black culture and community. Zoe, an Army veteran, certified diversity practitioner, and founder of Grow with Zomo, brings her expertise on turning DEI statements into measurable action. Diane leads Derby Brown Productions, crafting high-touch experiences for global brands with culture at the heart.In this episode, we dig into what Black History Month means right now in our socially and politically charged climate, why compassion and intentionality are more important than ever, and how evolving language shapes our industry. We share stories about navigating the “tightrope” of equity, the hesitations organizations face, and why prioritizing people over terminology matters.We don't just talk policy—we celebrate heritage at the table. Zoe and Diane offer practical advice for planners honoring Black history through food…

To close out 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡 I’m sat down with Chef Deborah VanTrece, a culinary visionary 𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐥 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝. From her days as a flight attendant exploring global cuisines to becoming a 𝐉𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝-𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐟, restaurateur, and 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭-𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫, Deborah has built a legacy on honoring tradition while pushing boundaries.