Miami Beach, FL – February 25, 2023 – The James Beard Award-winning chef, author, and TV personality JJ Johnson made it his personal and professional mission to amplify Black culture through food – to use food not merely as a means of breaking boundaries and building bridges but to reimagine it as a model for rewriting history. The Cookout was his way of reclaiming the beauty and utter brilliance of African American cuisine, a chance to savor and celebrate the people who have made and continue to make it sing. Co-hosted by award-winning artist, photographer, and DJ D-Nice, this one-of-a-kind SOBEWFF® walkaround event spotlighted dishes that give Black culture its richly layered flavor, brought to life by an exceptional group of diverse chefs who, like Chef JJ, are passionate about reconstructing past foodways and honoring culturally-relevant ingredients and techniques.