Local Color is back! And we invite you to join us for this second program in a captivating 3-part series celebrating food as it relates to Black culture and the Black experience with an emphasis on the unifying powers of food and shared meals. The Village Square’s very first program series was built on the notion that when you “break bread” with others, it matters less where you fall on the political spectrum or whether you support or oppose an issue and more about connecting with your fellow table mates on a human level. People are hard to hate close up – and even harder to hate after sharing a delicious meal together full of lively and engaging conversation.

On August 11, we’re spotlighting Dr. Shamarial Roberson, a powerhouse in health and human services and a committed champion for rural food access. She’s a leader who’s turning grassroots engagement into system-level impact and helping rural communities reclaim their health one step at a time. Shamarial is a native of Greenville, FL, a small rural community just east of Tallahassee, where she experienced the impacts of food insecurity up close.

With a career built on bold solutions and meaningful collaboration, Shamarial is reshaping how we think about food, health, and community. Through local partnerships, creative models for sourcing and distributing fresh produce, and a passion for health education, she is transforming how rural communities access nutritious food. Her work draws a clear connection between food access, stakeholder engagement, and the prevention of chronic disease. The result is lasting, community-driven change.

The conversation will be facilitated by longtime Village Square Member Jovita Woodrich, and joined by three impressive community leaders: Yolonda Bowman, Linda Bond Edwards, and Jeanne’ Freeman. This is sure to be an inspiring, educational, and mind-opening evening that you won’t want to miss!

Join us at 6:00 p.m. for delicious bites served up by Chef Yolonda Bowman of Blackberry Mimosa catering, plus a cash bar featuring Amicus’ variety of beverage options available for purchase. The program will run from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.

The event is free to attend, but space is limited, so please register to reserve your seat.And if your plans change and you're no longer able to join us, please cancel your registration so someone else may take your place.

We are incredibly grateful to be able to present this with generous support from The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation through the Community Foundation of North Florida.

Learn more about Local Color here.

Local Color: Deeply Rooted Southern Comfort