“We love some collard greens. Black folks love collard greens.” – Khary Frazier. In this deeply flavorful episode of Detroit is Different, the mic flips as host and producer Amber Ewing interviews Khary Frazier—founder of Detroit is Different and creator of the Collard Green Cook-Off—about the cultural power and future of this beloved community gathering. From Chandler Park to ancestral Vicksburg, Mississippi, Khary roots the cook-off in Black agricultural legacy, experiential marketing, and family storytelling: “The collard green traveled with us during the Middle Passage. That’s our culture in every leaf.” They explore how a dish once dismissed by colonizers now brings together urban farmers, soul food chefs, and thousands of Detroiters in celebration. With over 480 pounds of greens, a live show, and a judging panel featuring Detroit legends like Howie Bell, Coco, and Orlando Bailey, the 2025 Cook-Off is more than food—it’s a movement. The conversation dives into creativity (yes, collard green sushi), cultural pride, regional expansion, and the power of turning “slop” into sacred. This episode embodies what it means to honor Legacy Black Detroit—by nourishing body, memory, and future through community.
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