Dr. Jessica B. Harris

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A Leading Authority on the Food of the African Diaspora
Consultant and Culinary Historian
New York Times Bestselling Author of 'High on the Hog' and 17 Other Books
Recipient of the James Beard Lifetime Achievement Award

Dr. Jessica B. Harris has spent decades uncovering the histories hiding in plain sight on our plates. One of the world’s foremost authorities on the foodways of the African Diaspora, she has followed food across continents and generations to reveal the remarkable stories behind what we eat. Along the way, she has lived an extraordinary story of her own, breaking bread with figures including James Baldwin, Maya Angelou, Julia Child, and Edna Lewis.

Her New York Times bestseller High on the Hog inspired the Peabody Award-winning Netflix series that brought the sweeping story of African American foodways to millions. Harris has also brought that history to life beyond the page, from her work with the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture to curating the New York Botanical Garden’s African American Garden. In A Kwanzaa Keepsake and Cookbook, she turns her attention to the food and rituals that keep traditions alive.

A captivating storyteller with an extraordinary life to draw from, Harris makes the past feel immediate and personal. A James Beard Lifetime Achievement Award winner and TIME100 honoree, she takes audiences inside the meals she has shared and the histories she has spent decades uncovering, revealing just how much of the human story can be found around a table.

Past Hosts Include:

Upperman African American Cultural Center, UNCW
African Diaspora Consortium & Columbia University
Adobe Systems Inc.
Sysco
Coastal Georgia Historical Society

American Society of Agronomy
Rutgers University
John G. Riley Center & Museum for African American History and Culture, Inc.
Plenty
Wake Forest University

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We LOVED having Dr. Harris on campus. She was a huge hit! - Iowa State University

”

More rave reviews

"Our MLK Celebration was great! Dr. Jessica Harris presented a phenomenal keynote. Everyone enjoyed her presence at the VIP Reception and during the event."

-Upperman African American Cultural Center, UNCW

"It was spectacular! Naturally, Dr. Harris’ presentation was off the chart. Dr. Harris brought us a level of credibility that is already taking our work to a new level. Her presentation was the highlight of our event. Thank you all so very much for working with us to make this happen. We are grateful!"

-African Diaspora Consortium & Columbia University

"Dr. Harris is so awe inspiring and knowledgeable, it was an absolute honor to not only learn from her, but have dinner with her."

-National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

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Dr. Jessica B. Harris Interview for High on the Hog | Netflix - Get Sharable Link

Dr. Jessica B. Harris Interview for High on the Hog | Netflix

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Now

Race in America: Black Culinary History with Stephen Satterfield and Jessica B. Harris | Washington Post

Soul Food Looks Back with Carla Hall & Dr. Jessica B. Harris | City of Greensboro, NC

"Wish You Were Here" Virtual Gallery Talk with Jessica Harris; Food Historian and Author | MV Museum

Dr. Jessica B. Harris: My Soul Looks Back | The Strand

Dr. Jessica B. Harris: Travelling for writing High on the Hog | Library of Congress

Award Profile - Jessica B. Harris: Lifetime Achievement Award Winner | James Beard Foundation [3:36]

Keynote - Serve It Up Proudly! Some Food for Thought on The Intersections of Food Studies and Museums | American Alliance of Museums [37:47]

Talks & Conversations with Dr. Jessica B. Harris

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Author Talk: ‘Braided Heritage’

In her thought-provoking keynote, Braided Heritage, DR. JESSICA B. HARRIS invites audiences to explore the rich intersections of food, history, and culture. Drawing on her decades of expertise as a culinary historian, author, and cultural scholar, Harris delves into the deep connections between heritage and identity, examining how food shapes and is shaped by cultural narratives.

A natural storyteller, Jessica brings to life the fascinating histories embedded in the foods we consume, highlighting how food can serve as both a vessel for tradition and a means of cultural expression. This captivating speech will leave audiences reflecting on the personal, societal, and historical impact of the meals we share.

Ideal for corporate events, academic conferences, and cultural gatherings, Jessica’s Braided Heritage presentation offers a unique and engaging look at how our past informs our present and how culture can be tasted, experienced, and remembered.

Cooking & Conversation: ‘High on the Hog’

Culinary historian, New York Times bestselling author of High on the Hog, and winner of 2 NAACP Image Awards, DR. JESSICA B. HARRIS has captivated audiences internationally with her Peabody Award-winning Netflix series. In this engaging conversation, Dr. Harris shares the stories of her career alongside some of her favorite heritage dishes.

Book purchases and signings with Dr. Jessica B. Harris are available upon request.

Hawkers, Caterers, & Restaurateurs: African Atlantic Pathways to Wealth

Drawing on her landmark exhibit African/American: Making the Nation’s Table presented by New York’s Museum of Food and Drink, DR. JESSICA B. HARRIS examines how African Americans in the United States and the diaspora used food as a vehicle for the creation of personal wealth. Drawing links between her archival research and today’s thriving African American culinary scene, Dr. Harris shares the cultural links that bind the countries of the hemisphere to the African continent.

Putting Gender on the Table

Culinary historian DR. JESSICA B. HARRIS shares her thoughts on the historically gendered roles of women and men in the world of food, providing insight into how we can form a more equitable future.

Studying the Silence: Approaches to African American History

Foremost expert in African Diaspora culture DR. JESSICA B. HARRIS shares how her research methods for looking for what is unsaid, alluded to, or simply ignored can give a more fully rounded picture of history. Applicable to academic, institutional, and personal intellectual pursuits, Dr. Harris provides the tools to fill in gaps of the archive with empathy, care, and respect.

Serve It Up: Food, Museums, & Community

Lauded for the success of her culinary community engagement, James Beard Lifetime Achievement Award winner DR. JESSICA B. HARRIS examines several ways in which including food can increase community outreach and improve attendance. Having successfully conceptualized the award-winning cafeteria of the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture, Dr. Harris has firsthand experience crafting a menu of community outreach.