Maple syrup over your jollof rice?

Ever dared to drizzle maple syrup over your jollof rice?

I can already hear Nkem Owoh, in all his comedic glory, snapping his fingers in sheer disbelief, possibly muttering, "This is not it, my brothers and sisters!"

Let's face it, for the Jollof purists among us, the mere thought of such a combination is not just an abomination; it's practically a call to arms.

Jollof rice isn’t just a dish; it's a cultural icon, a symbol of West African culinary excellence that has traversed oceans and found its way into the hearts (and plates) of Africans in the diaspora. It's the culinary equivalent of a warm hug from a beloved auntie—it doesn't need maple syrup; it's perfect the way it is.

Drizzling maple syrup over your jollof rice, symbolizes the challenges of Africans in the North American diaspora. Just as this unusual mix challenges culinary norms, the African diaspora faces the task of staying connected to their roots.

Staying connected to a rich African heritage, while growing roots in new or different soil, is akin to teaching someone to walk a tightrope with grace.

It’s a delicate dance of tradition and adaptation. But fear not, fellow cultural tightrope walkers, for the secret sauce to this balancing act of staying rooted in the rich tapestry of African culture, while making your mark in a different country than your roots, lies in community, connection, and a dash of creativity.

Sharing our stories as Africans in the North American diaspora is crucial to staying connected to our identity. Storytelling, bridges the gap between generations, preserving traditions, and passing down invaluable wisdom.

It is through these narratives that we find the common threads that bind us together, creating a sense of belonging and community in a world that can often feel isolating.

Creating and nurturing a community that allows us to connect with one another does not have to be a forced, dreadful, anxiety-inducing exercise because here are different creative ways to bridge the gap between Africans in the North America diaspora;

• Friends for Food and Fellowship – a universal language that transcends all boundaries. Summer barbecues go beyond delicious dishes like suya or braai; mouthwatering puff-puff or moin-moin; they create the perfect atmosphere for storytelling, laughter, and building and creating bonds that last a lifetime. Imagine forming friendships over shared tales of the latest Afrobeat or African gospel dance moves, Nollywood films, Iwaju, episodes of Skinny Girl in Transit on NdaniTV, Riches or Ebuka Turns Up Africa on Amazon Prime to mention a few. These gatherings, whether organized by your local church, community centers, or simply amongst friends, are golden opportunities for both young and old(er) to connect with their rich culture and heritage, in warm and inviting settings reminiscent of visiting African grandparents on Easter Sunday.

• Take a Virtual trip around the Continent from the comfort of your couch by watching documentaries or videos by African travel and lifestyle YouTubers. Have you checked out Wode Maya or Tayo Aina on You Tube? followed by engaging discussions on history, geography, or African influencers and innovators.

• Enjoy a Ladies & Gents Podcast Listening Brunch - Featuring the likes of Mazino Malaka of You Can Rest Here podcast, Change Africa Podcast hosted by Issac Aboah and Daniel Merki, Buku’s God is My Creative Director podcast, The Blackbox Interviews, Third Third Culture Africans by Zeze Oriaikhi-Sao, We Three African Queens, Fierce Mothers by Ugochi Onyewu, Unlocking Africa by Terser Adamu and I Said What I Said with Jola and FK,. You may get through more episodes than chapters of a book and have fun at the same time.

• Host a Cultural Night or Games Night. Either way make it fun. It provides an opportunity to showcase gifts and talents.

• Explore Group Learning activities with sessions on learning African languages and dances as a collective.

• Plan Retreats or Getaways with themed learning outcomes for a day or weekend of immersive experiences.

• Connect with the College Bound. For college students, to stay connected with their African identity can be a solo journey, but one that’s far from lonely. Social platforms and college societies are the modern-day village square, offering a buffet of opportunities to connect with fellow African students. Encourage them to join or even start a cultural group on campus, where you can find a sense of belonging and a community that understands the unique blend of challenges and triumphs of being African in the diaspora. It's through these channels that they'll find support, understanding, and maybe even a taste of home.

• Establish Informal Mentoring programs where children and young adults are paired with professionals, business owners, or educators in the African community to gain insights into various career paths and endeavors.

• Connect with Africans in your Neighborhood and Africans in the Diaspora Friend groups; This could be a whatsapp chat for bouncing ideas off of other like minded Africans in your neighborhood (think school district proximity) in the North American diaspora for credible recommendations for age appropriate summer camps or caterers for their next summer BBQ.

• Attend Town Meetings, Alumnae Association Reunions, African Festivals and Conferences. One can connect to the local chapter of their village or town meetings They may have celebrations like an end of year Holiday party where friends and family are welcome fostering a sense of community and shared interests.

Staying connected to our African roots in North America is less about rigidly sticking to traditions and more about weaving those traditions into the vibrant mosaic of our daily lives. It’s about celebrating that being African is not just a part of who we are; it’s a superpower. Be flexible within reason without losing your authentic and unique gifts you have to share with others.

These gatherings are not just about food (though, let's be honest, that's a big part of it); they are the perfect backdrop for both children and adults to weave threads of friendship with others who straddle worlds just like them. Encourage participation in safe vetted spaces be it in church groups or community centers - It's in these spaces that children and adults of the African diaspora in North America find their tribe, learning that their heritage is not just a history lesson, but a living, breathing part of who they are.