News Summary
A transformative community dinner will be held on June 20 to honor the nine lives lost in the Emanuel A.M.E. Church shooting. This year’s theme, ‘Unity in the Community,’ emphasizes fostering connections among diverse backgrounds through shared meals. Organized by Tina L. Singleton and featuring renowned Gullah Geechee chef B.J. Dennis, the event serves as both a remembrance and an opportunity for dialogue about critical issues. Singleton continues her oversight from Portugal, showcasing the enduring impact of the initiative as it gains interest from communities across the country.
Charleston, South Carolina – A transformative community dinner, organized to commemorate the Emanuel A.M.E. Church shooting and foster unity, will take place on June 20. This year’s event, themed “Unity in the Community,” is part of the ongoing efforts to honor the nine lives lost during the tragic incident, where a racist gunman took the lives of individuals gathered in prayer.
The dinner was founded nine years ago by Tina L. Singleton, who focused on creating a space for people from diverse backgrounds to come together and build connections through shared meals. This year’s gathering will happen at the Johns Island farm of Joseph Fields, a third-generation Gullah Geechee farmer. Renowned Gullah Geechee chef B.J. Dennis will be in charge of preparing the meal, ensuring a culturally rich dining experience.
Singleton believes that the dinner is a perfect opportunity to reflect on and honor the legacies of the Emanuel Nine. She moved to Charleston about a year after the tragic shooting and has since participated in various commemorative events dedicated to those who lost their lives. The inspiration for the Transformation Table came after Singleton attended a talk by Bernice A. King, which motivated her to promote understanding and connection between diverse communities through communal dining experiences.
Singleton’s experiences of hosting dinners during her time in Afghanistan helped shape the concept of the Transformation Table. The inaugural dinner took place in November 2016, initially serving as an experimental gathering where strangers could come together to share meals. The format has since evolved to incorporate a “tamada,” a toastmaster from Georgian culture who guides the discussions, allowing conversations to flow more naturally rather than being restricted by a preset agenda.
Over the years, the Transformation Table dinners have featured 26 chefs from 21 different countries, welcoming more than 700 guests. The initiative not only provides a nourishing meal but also fosters impactful conversations around critical issues, including immigration and personal narratives of acceptance and rejection among attendees. Many guests maintain connections post-dinner through a dedicated Facebook group and alumni gatherings, demonstrating the lasting relationships formed during these events.
Even though Singleton has relocated to Portugal, she continues to oversee the dinners through local staff. She returns to Charleston twice a year to ensure the events maintain their integrity and mission. The popularity of the Transformation Table model has sparked interest from other states, where communities are eager to host their own dinners. To support these efforts, Singleton is currently developing a community toolkit to help others replicate the initiative in their own locales.
The upcoming dinner on June 20 not only commemorates a tragic event in Charleston’s history but also emphasizes the importance of community, reflection, and togetherness in moving toward understanding and healing. As the participants gather to share a meal prepared by an esteemed chef, they will also engage in meaningful conversations that honor the memories of the Emanuel Nine, solidifying the dinner’s role as a beacon of hope and unity in the community.
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Additional Resources
- Charleston City Paper: Transformation Table Builds Bridges to Unify
- ABC News 4: Recovery Jam Shines a Light on Transformation
- Realtor.com: Unique Homes in Charleston
- Southern Living: Taylor Hill Charleston Home Tour
- Bon Appetit: Where to Eat and Drink in Charleston
- Wikipedia: Emanuel A.M.E. Church shooting
- Google Search: Community Dinners Charleston
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Gullah
- Google News: Charleston Community Events
