Chase Martin

Every year on June 19th, communities across the nation gather to celebrate Juneteenth—a day that marks freedom, resilience, and the enduring spirit of African Americans. While Juneteenth is now recognized as a federal holiday, its roots run deep in Texas soil, making it a particularly meaningful celebration for Texans. The Texas Origins of Juneteenth On June 19, 1865, more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, Union General Gordon Granger arrived...

In South Oak Cliff, food has always meant more than what’s on the plate. It’s about people. It’s about presence. It’s about showing up for one another—day in and day out. At Grandma’s Country Kitchen, we didn’t just open a restaurant. We opened our doors with a purpose: to become a place where the community can gather, grow, and feel at home. A Table for the Community From the very beginning, the vision has been clear—create a space where everyone feels welcome. Not just served, but seen....

Black history lives in more places than we often realize — including the tools we use every day in the kitchen. In 1875, Alexander P. Ashbourne , a Black inventor, was granted a patent for a spring-loaded biscuit cutter. Unlike earlier cutters, Ashbourne’s design allowed dough to be released easily after cutting, improving speed, cleanliness, and consistency during baking. This invention may seem small, but its impact was meaningful. Baking biscuits by hand was time-consuming and physically...