Forward Magazine October 2022

As we continue to maneuver through the fall semester, Thompson Hospitality would thank you for your continued partnership. We do not take serving our HBCU communities lightly. It is our hope and desire to perpetually be a valued contributor to the advancement of your institutions and the communities around them.

While our world is not what we once knew it to be, our local teams are working tremendously hard to deliver dynamic dining programs while we keep our eye on successfully managing public health and safety. As your campuses fill with alumni and cherished community members for homecoming festivities, our teams are preparing to be a beacon of light and excellence for your campus. We have and will continue to emphasize the attention to detail, commitment to excellence, and exceptional customer service standard that you have come to expect from our partnership.

We look forward to another month centered around providing our guests the luxurious dining experience.

You’re Worth Going the Extra Mile!

Sincerely,

Maurice P. Jenore, Chief Operating Officer Dina Zaikouk, Vice President of Operations

What’s in

Your Ocean?

Whether you are enjoying a steamed bag of seasoned crab legs with friends and family, scrolling on Tik Tok see ing thousands of videos with people simply eating sea food dishes, or coming across the internet chef Jayvoo encouraging you to envision the savory smell of his New Orleans style crawfish boil by “smelling it through the phone”; seafood has found a way in everyone’s lives. In 2020, seafood consumption saw a surge, with a 30 percent increase reported by globalseafood.org. As of 2022, the want for seafood continued to rise by 41 per cent, according to the Information Resource, Inc. survey. Amongst the imports, the favorite seafood animals in clude shrimp, freshwater fish, tuna, salmon, groundfish, crab, and squid.

Despite the rise in popularity, the animals in the ocean are in danger because of the harm being done to wildlife. For us to better understand how to care for our oceans, we must identify the major threats and how to combat them. Here are some of the main threats to our oceans and sea animals.

The increase in the use of fossil fuels worldwide

If you are driving your car to campus or using the heat to warm up your room as the weather gets cooler, you are using fossil fuels in your everyday life. Your daily routine may not directly create massive environmental dam age. However, with fossil fuels being the main source of energy worldwide, it is releasing large amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the air which is a direct cause of air pollution and global warming. As a result, the ocean is absorbing more harmful chemicals that is gradually making the ocean more acidic than it

needs to be. To reduce this problem, it is imperative to find other way to do your routine such as walking or taking the shuttle to class instead of driving, turning off any electricity when not in use, and turning off the heat in homes once the place is warm.

The increase in pollution

Simply throwing your trash away in the proper location will go a long way. We have seen the commercials on saving the turtles by cutting down the use of plastic and Disney Channels’ old catchy jingle “Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle,” teaching us how to separate trash. These com mercials are created to be engraved in your mind the importance of taking care of the world around you. Eight million tons of plastic are dumped in the ocean, causing significant harm to our wildlife. At the rate that trash is dumped, sea animals will quickly be unsafe to consume. Recycle any unnecessary plastic you may have and re place them with reusable items to minimize this number.

The impact of overfishing

On the local level, we can do many things to help keep sea animals safe for human consumption. Overfishing has been a considerable problem as much as an abun dance of people loves seafood. As consumers, we can ensure we only buy sustainable seafood to prevent overfishing. The way to decipher between sustainable and unsustainable seafood is by looking at the grocery shopping labels.

The next time you decide to dive into your favorite seafood dish, remember to reflect on how you are doing your part to ensure that our oceans remain safe.

I

Was Called

To Be Great!

How Can I Be Great If I’m Hungry?

Attending college is a great privilege and opportunity, however, it is difficult to be successful when you are concerned about where you’ll eat, what you’ll eat and how you’ll eat. Prior to the pandemic, 30% of college students experienced Food insecurity throughout their college career. Those statistics have risen since then and it’s time to break the stigma!

It’s okay to need help!

Completing college is a feat in itself. Maximizing meal plan participation, using the campus and local food banks and utilizing SNAP benefits are all tools available to help you succeed.

It’s okay to get help!

If you’re struggling with food insecurity, reach out to stu dent affairs to assist you in locating immediate resources.

Let’s Fight Together!

In October, we invite you to participate in The Good Fight, a program aimed to raise awareness around food inse curity. During this month, we are encouraging students to join the fight by simply texting “goodfight” to (205)270-5591. Once enrolled, you’ll choose your challenge and share your progress via social media. The health and well-being of HBCU students are equally important as their education. Together, we can eliminate food insecuri ty across campuses.

It’s okay to support others!

Break the stigma by volunteering to drive friends to the store, donating to the campus food bank, providing mor al support in asking for help and not creating shame for those battling food insecurity.

More than 56% of first-generation students identified as food insecure. Over 10% of college students have gone an entire day without eating

One-third of students have experienced food insecurity since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic

COMING HOME WITH PRIDE

Tips On How To Navigate An HBCU Homecoming

Homecoming season is upon us. As we prepare for the descension of alumni returning to celebrate let’s take a look at how we got started.

How It Started.

A homecoming is a staple event that happens at every HBCU typically in the fall semester of the school year.

Though it is a schoolwide event, homecoming commemo rates the return of alumni to the university and celebrates all the accomplishments and growth of the school. Based on the church roots of HBCUs, homecoming emulates the religious homecoming where current and former church members gather and celebrate each other.

The first modern form of an HBCU homecoming can be dated back to 1924 at Morehouse College, where alumni were invited back to a football game and enjoyed their time back at their alma mater. Traditionally, HBCU home comings included alumni going to a football to show school spirit. As time progressed the tradition expanded from just a day event to a week-long full of festivities with the football game being placed at the end of the week.

How It’s Going.

Homecoming week usually begins on Sunday with univer sities focusing on their traditional Christian roots by host ing a church service at a local church or university chapel. Throughout the remainder of the week, there are events hosted by the student body aimed to get everyone on campus excited for the return of alumni and the potential victory from the football game.

The day of the football game is often Homecoming Day. Following the football game, win or lose, the campus and alumni gather around to celebrate the history and growth of the institution. Though this is largely a celebration for alumni to come back there to give back and reconnect, however, this is a perfect time for new and current stu dents to learn about their college traditions and bask in their school’s specific culture.

Go to as many events on campus as possible

Each HBCU campus has its traditions but one that is the same across yards is the events all week leading up to the big day. The events vary from school to school; however, they are always creative and full of great times.

From the pep rally, silent discos, the block shows, to the

infamous concerts with the famous and trendy artists, there is always a lot to do throughout the week. Home coming for a lot of schools is during a week full of class instruction, therefore as a student, it is important to get classwork done ahead of time. Homecoming is once a year but the effects of being negligent can last through out your matriculation. During this time is where time management skills are the most necessary.

Being at an HBCU homecoming can be an overwhelming experience and it is important to go into the week with a clear understanding of what is ahead. Below, are a few tips that can help you navigate through the week and can ensure that you will make memories that will last a life time.

Always travel with friends

On the day of homecoming, people will be abundant on every inch of the campus. Though the school may feel like home, be mindful that there will be people there that are not just alumni. HBCU homecomings are cele brations that people from other colleges and universities look forward to as well. Therefore, make sure when trav eling on and off campus that you are always with your friends. Traveling together is not only to make memories together but an important safety precaution.

Go to the football game early… and leave a little early. The football game on the day of homecoming will look entirely different than a typical game on any other day of the year. Alumni will be there in droves and will occupy most of the seats that normally current students have. If you want to get a seat and root for your team alongside them, try to get to the game before it starts. Moreover, leaving the game will be a hassle as crowds of people will be all trying to make their way to the main campus at the same time. To avoid the crowd, leave the game before the end of the last quarter.

Try and visit the local vendors and food trucks. Another staple at an HBCU homecoming is the local vendors and food trucks that are there to try. The majority, if not all, are usually black-owned businesses. Sometimes, there are even alumni-owned businesses there to promote their brands as well. Stop by the vendors and food trucks to show the alumni support!

Have fun!

HBCU homecomings are like a black family reunion where you see people you have never met before and reconnect with an old friend. It is a day to rejoice in all the innovation and progress of the institution. This homecoming season, make sure to connect with alumni and people you have never met, learn more about the traditions of your campus, and bask in the abundance of black joy and culture. This is a unique experience that can be duplicated but never fully replicated. Enjoy yourself, have fun, and be safe.

The Power of the Pink Ribbon: Highlighting Breast Cancer Awareness Month

What started as a week-long partnership with the Amer ican Cancer Society and the pharmaceutical division of Imperial Chemical Industries in 1985, has grown to be a month-long event to shed light and forward the research that saves millions of lives.

Breast cancer awareness month is aimed to educate peo ple about the disease and encourage methods to help prevent and fight it. From October 1st to October 31st, Breast cancer survivors along with those who are current ly battling are highlighted and celebrated for their brav ery. People are asked to wear pink to symbolize the cour age, hope, and goodness of people fighting to end breast cancer.

As reported by the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, breast cancer continues to be the most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in the Unit ed States.

Moreover, despite there being an overall 42 percent de cline in breast cancer deaths over the last 30 years, there are still growing disparities amongst those affected.

Black women are more likely to get a more abrasive form of breast cancer and die at a higher rate than any other race and ethnic group leading with 31 percent. The Breast Cancer Foundation also found that black women under 50 are at an even greater risk. Whereas white women are most likely to get breast cancer, their mortality rate is still not as high as black women.

Many social, economic, and behavioral reasons play a part in the disparities. Black women statistically are more likely to have many of the major risk factors that can lead to breast cancer such as heart disease, diabetes, and be ing less likely to breastfeed after childbirth.

Despite the racial disparities and risk factors, breast can cer can happen and occur in anybody. Therefore, it is im portant to regularly participate in self-breast exams and to visit the doctor if anything seems wrong or abnormal. Early detection of anything can and has saved lives as the American Cancer Society reported. Studies show that when breast cancer is detected early, there is a 5-year rel ative survival rate of 99 percent.

Lie down in a comfortable position.

Grab a pillow and place it underneath your right shoulder while placing your right arm behind your head.

Use your left hand to move your fingers around your breast and armpit area gently.

As you are moving your hand around your breast, check for lumps.

Squeeze your nipple to check for discharge.

Repeat steps on the left side.

In the We StandSweets,

The United States has many interesting days that are observed and celebrated with this one being the sweetest. There’s nothing better than indulging in a sweet treat after a savory meal. In October, it is time to try something new and something classic with national dessert month. Before dessert became a necessity at the end of a meal, it was just an occasional treat during ancient times. Instead of chocolate chip cookies and cheesecake, people enjoyed fruits and nuts covered in honey. These sweet treats are believed to be the first candies and lasted until sugar began to be manufactured.

Once the sugar was manufactured and spread around the world, it was mostly consumed by the wealthy on special occasions. However, as it began to be mass-produced, the prices became lower and available to everyone. From classic American apple pie to Mexican wedding cookies, there are a plethora of desserts to try for the first time and revisit throughout the month. After an analysis done through Google trends to see what desserts were most searched in each state, everyone has very different tastebuds. Take this time to explore the various sweet treats of the state where your school is in. See something new? Gather your friends and go take a bite!

Alabama: Poundcake

This rich-in-taste treat can easily be confused with a tradi tional cake. However, the light flavors and topped with a basic glaze frosting are what sets this dessert apart from the rest. It is called a “pound” cake because the recipe originally calls for a pound of each ingredient: flour, sugar, butter, and eggs.

Florida: Key Lime Pie

Reportedly created in Key West, Florida, key lime pie is a dessert that requires specifically key lime juice to give it its signature taste. Because key limes only grow in warm and tropical climates, the key lime pie will always be a fa vorite in the sunshine state.

Georgia: Peach Cobbler

If you ever take a visit to the south, it is a must that one of the food choices on your list is a homemade peach cob bler. Cobblers can consist of any fruit if it is baked with a biscuit-style topping. The popularity of the dessert began because American settlers did not have all the ingredients for a peach pie back in the 1950s. With the supplies they had, they created the popular southern dish.

Maryland & Virginia: Funnel Cake

It is not surprising that the two states closest to each other share the same dessert. What makes seem only reserved for carnivals and fairs is, funnel cakes can be eaten all year. Everyone with pancake mix can make funnel cake. All that is needed is pancake mix combined with eggs, oil sugar, vanilla, salt, and milk. Pour the mix into a funnel or a Ziplock bag and pour the mixture into hot oil and fry it until golden brown.

Mississippi: Banana Pudding

Another southern delicacy comprised of fruit is a key item at cookouts and family gatherings. Unlike most dishes, there are no correct ways to make banana pudding as the core recipe has been altered and changed depending on the family that is making it. It can be warm, cold, or chilled, with peanut butter, vanilla wafers, regular vanilla cookies, etc. Whichever way you are eating or serving it, remember to make sure everyone is enjoying it.

North Carolina: Coconut Cake

Food holds a lot of history in them. They tell a story of the hardships and triumphs of the people before us. It is im portant to honor the history by passing down recipes to family members to keep the memory alive. Coconut cake has a rich history like its taste. The first coconut cake was made by enslaved Africans in the south region of America because they were the only ones that knew how to break down a coconut. From then on, the recipe was passed down and still holds a place in southern households.

Pennsylvania: Ice Cream

Everyone loves ice cream whether its place vanilla or chocolate chip rocky road, there is an ice cream flavor for everyone. Ice cream is as older as America and can be dated back over 3,000 years. The inventor of the fro zen dish varies; however, it is noted that ice cream was introduced to the western world by Italy through trading. There are many different recipes for ice cream that sur pass the original ingredients of milk, ice, and salt. Make sure to try them all!

West Virginia: Fudge

This dessert lives in its category being seen as chocolate and as a candy. It is made with chocolate as the main in gredient but includes sugar, milk, and butter. Chocolate does not have to be the basis of fudge despite the name. The possibilities are endless and can include peanut but ter caramel, hazelnut, carrot cake, red velvet, M&M, etc. If you only had one type of fudge, it is encouraged to try different flavors.

MS

AL

GA

DMV WV

FL PA NC

click to see your upcoming events