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Soul Food Poetry Cafe Presents: The 5th Annual All-White Affair

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/08/25 .. fe-presents-the-5th-annual-all-white-affair.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Monday, August 25th 2025 at 12:55 GMT by Nashville Lifestyles Magazine
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Soul Food Poetry Café Hosts the 5th‑Annual “All‑White Affair”: A Celebration of Community, Culture, and Creativity

The Nashville‑based Soul Food Poetry Café is gearing up to host its fifth‑annual “All‑White Affair,” a vibrant, community‑focused event that combines the power of spoken word with the comfort of soul‑food cuisine. The gathering—scheduled for Saturday, October 12, at 6:00 p.m.—promises to be a highlight on the city’s cultural calendar, drawing participants from across Middle Tennessee for a night of storytelling, culinary delights, and the shared celebration of African‑American heritage.

What the “All‑White Affair” Is All About

The All‑White Affair began in 2019 as a small, intimate poetry reading at the café’s own space. Since then, the event has grown in both scope and impact, expanding to a larger venue and attracting a diverse roster of performers, from emerging local poets to established artists known for their social‑justice‑oriented work. According to the event’s description on the Soul Food Poetry Café website, the “All‑White Affair” is “a celebration of the power of community, culture, and creativity.” The event’s name is deliberately tongue‑in‑cheek; the organizers use it to call attention to a historical tendency for “white‑only” spaces and to re‑claim that language in a context that is inclusive and affirming for people of color.

The program is structured to feature a series of readings, a DJ set, a live mural, and a “soul‑food potluck” where attendees bring dishes that have personal or familial significance. The event also includes an interactive “story‑telling corner,” where audience members can record short audio monologues and share them on the café’s social‑media channels, further extending the event’s reach beyond the physical venue.

Program Highlights

• Opening Monologue – The event will open with a spoken‑word piece by the café’s founder, Tasha Thompson, who has spent the past decade cultivating a safe space for creative expression in Nashville. Thompson will contextualize the event’s history and highlight the café’s ongoing work to support artists of color.

• Poetry Carousel – A curated line‑up of nine poets—ranging from 18‑year‑old high‑school student Maya Johnson to 55‑year‑old activist and poet Reverend L.J. Ellis—will perform 5‑minute monologues. Each poet will be invited to discuss the themes of their pieces, which range from “racial justice” to “self‑love.”

• Live Mural – While the poetry reads unfold, local muralist Kofi Asante will paint a large, live mural on a wall that frames the stage. Asante’s style blends traditional African patterns with contemporary street‑art influences, and the mural will be dedicated to the “cultural heritage of Nashville’s African‑American community.”

• DJ Set – At 9:00 p.m., DJ Maya “The Soul Beat” will spin a playlist that mixes classic R&B with modern hip‑hop, creating a dynamic backdrop that encourages dance and social connection.

• Potluck & Community Table – In a nod to the café’s name, the event will feature a “potluck” table where attendees can bring or order soul‑food dishes. The café will provide a small selection of dishes—mac & cheese, collard greens, cornbread, and fried chicken—to serve as a communal centerpiece.

How to Get Involved

The event is free to attend; however, guests are encouraged to make a donation at the door or via a QR code that will be displayed on the stage. All proceeds will go toward the Soul Food Poetry Café’s “Poetry 2 Purpose” scholarship fund, which supports emerging poets in pursuing higher education or artist‑in‑residence programs.

Tickets can be purchased through the café’s official event page on Eventbrite, and a limited number of tickets are available for individuals who wish to bring a guest. The café also offers a “VIP Experience” tier—at $20 per person—which includes a front‑row seat, a signed copy of the event’s commemorative program, and a private meet‑and‑greet with the performers.

Community Impact and Past Success

In a press release posted on the café’s website, Thompson notes that the All‑White Affair has become “an essential gathering for artists, activists, and anyone who wants to celebrate Nashville’s cultural richness.” She cites the event’s role in fostering community resilience, especially during the pandemic, when many local artists lost their platforms.

The café’s “Soul Food Poetry Café” page on Instagram highlights the event’s previous editions, which have drawn over 2,000 attendees cumulatively. Photos from last year show a diverse crowd of men, women, and children dancing to live music, and the café’s Facebook event page is filled with comments that praise the sense of belonging the event cultivated.

Take‑Away Quotes

• Tasha Thompson (Founder): “The All‑White Affair is more than a poetry reading; it’s a testament to the power of community and the importance of owning our space in a city that has historically marginalized us.”

• Maya Johnson (Featured Poet): “When I write, I’m not just telling a story. I’m sharing a piece of my soul, and I want people to feel that emotion and know they’re not alone.”

• Reverend L.J. Ellis: “The event is a reminder that our stories, our histories, and our cultures are not confined to one space. They belong to us all.”

Where to Find More Information

• Soul Food Poetry Café website: https://soulfoodpoetrycafe.com (contains event details, volunteer opportunities, and donation page)
• Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/d/tn--nashville/all-white-affair/ (tickets and RSVP)
• Instagram: @soulfoodpoetrycafe (live updates and behind‑the‑scenes footage)
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoulFoodPoetryCafe (event page, comments, and community discussion)

Conclusion

The 5th‑Annual All‑White Affair promises to be an engaging, multi‑layered experience that merges the art of spoken word with the comfort of shared food. For many in Nashville, the event is a beacon of solidarity and cultural pride—a place where stories are told, histories are honored, and the community can come together to celebrate what it means to be part of a shared tapestry. Whether you’re a poetry aficionado, a lover of soul food, or simply looking to connect with your community, the All‑White Affair offers a compelling opportunity to experience Nashville’s vibrant cultural scene in a setting that’s as inclusive as it is inspiring.