SoCalGas’s employee resource group Voices Inspiring Black Employees (VIBE), celebrated Black Restaurant Week’s return to Los Angeles with a mixer at Fixins Soul Kitchen in Los Angeles. The mouthwatering spread included deviled eggs deep fried with bacon, catfish nuggets with chipotle mayo, oxtail with sweet brown gravy and collard greens.

“The SoCalGas VIBE mixer held with Black Restaurant Week gave our members an opportunity to network over a delicious spread of food while also supporting a Black-owned business in Los Angeles,” said David King, SoCalGas VIBE President.

Black Restaurant Week Los Angeles celebrated African, African American, and Caribbean cuisines throughout the city from August 25^th to September 3^rd. This year, the events featuring local restaurants, catering services, and food trucks, were sponsored by SoCalGas, to recognize and share their diverse cuisines with the community.

“SoCalGas supports Black Restaurant Week to provide recognition to the restaurants, chefs and cuisines that make Los Angeles the diverse cultural hub it is. We are proud to empower our communities and local restaurant owners that provide enriching experiences,” said Cedric Williams, Chief Safety Officer at SoCalGas and VIBE Executive Sponsor. “This year, we hosted a group of culinary students for a lunch and learn, to further explore the culinary industry and empower future culinary leaders.”

SoCalGas also held a celebration with a lunch and learn event at Fresh and Meaty Burger, in partnership with the Careers through Culinary Arts Program (CCAP), a nonprofit organization that teaches a culinary and wellness curriculum with culinary job opportunities to middle-and-high school students across the country.

“The celebration of Black culture and food brings our Los Angeles communities together. Throughout Black Restaurant Week, we had an influx of support from restaurant guests, old and new, who joined us in bonding over delicious food,” said Nicole Green of Coco’s Lip Smacking Cupcakes. “We’re so excited to have the support from SoCalGas in highlighting our work as business owners and as foodies.

Since 2016, Black Restaurant Week has moved through cities across the country to give Black-owned businesses a platform to share their stories and their food. The organization provides guides for each city, sharing the history of their cuisine and restaurants that offer a new experience.

Black Restaurant Week created a list of restaurants in Los Angeles with a fresh take on African, African American, and Caribbean cuisines. Check out what restaurants can be found in your community and try out the delicious food they have to offer! For more information about Black Restaurant Week, its events, and participating restaurants, please visit: www.blackrestaurantweeks.com.