Nourishing Waters: A Dinner by Chef Kelly English Celebrating Away with the Tides
Inspired by Calida Rawles: Away with the Tides, the evening features a four-course menu shaped by the exhibition’s themes of water, healing, and transformation. Each course pays tribute to six pioneering Black women chefs—Laura Dolly Johnson, Leah Chase, Abby Fisher, Zephyr Wright, Edna Lewis, and Malinda Russel—whose recipes helped define American cuisine.
Their legacies will be brought to life through storytelling by Dr. Charles McKinney, Chair of Africana Studies at Rhodes College, guiding guests through the histories that live in every bite.
This dinner is a moment to pause, honor, and experience the power of nourishment in all its forms.
Highlights of the Evening
— A four-course dinner curated and sponsored by Chef Kelly English
— Live storytelling by Dr. Charles McKinney
— Original music by Memphis artist Nubia Yasin
— Wine pairings from Black Girl Magic Wines
— Champagne and hors d’oeuvres to begin the evening
Let each course invite reflection, and each story stir the senses. Come hungry for connection—leave nourished in more ways than one.
‘Calida Rawles: Away with the Tides’ is presented by Bank of America. Supported by Terra Foundation for American Art, Fish + Associates (logo), Black Art Collective, and The Burroughs Foundation, Cathy Ross and Black Art Collective.
Members make moments like this possible—and enjoy exclusive savings. Memphis Brooks Museum of Art Members and Black Art Collective Members receive significant discounts on this special evening. Membership unlocks free admission and exclusive pricing on over 300 events each year, while providing essential support for the museum’s mission. Black Art Collective Members enjoy all the benefits of membership, while directly advancing the museum’s commitment to collecting, preserving, and celebrating Black art. Not yet a Member? Join today and start experiencing the rewards of belonging, while making a lasting impact on Memphis and its art museum.
