Image: Maryem and Melvin Wright from Yaya’s Kitchen provided patients, visitors and members of Team LHSC with a cultural lunch in celebration of Black History Month.
February 28, 2025
The sights and smells of Guyanese and Ghanaian ingredients filled London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) cafeterias this month as part of the hospital’s Black History Month celebrations.
The University Hospital (UH) cafeteria was bustling with activity on February 13 as local chefs, Maryem and Melvin Wright from Yaya’s Kitchen, prepared and served cultural cuisine to patients, visitors and members of Team LHSC. The culinary experience from Old East Village was then replicated at Victoria Hospital’s (VH) Faye’s Café on February 27 to bring their unique blend of flavours to that location as well.
“Being invited to serve our cuisine at LHSC has enabled us to share this experience with people who may not have been exposed to it,” states Maryem. “For us, this is an opportunity to showcase the spices, herbs, and grains that make up our culinary history.”
The special Black History Month menu consisted of jollof rice bowls, Carribean-style coleslaw, masa, zobo, and dublan. Proceeds from each meal purchased will be donated to the WEAN Community Centre, London’s first and only centre providing wholistic health for local Black communities.
While lunch was being served at both hospitals, local artist Amsa Yaro was on hand to lead people through the creation a one-of-a-kind piece of art inspired by her Nigerian background. Patients, visitors, and members of Team LHSC were invited to produce their own colourful designs using paint and custom-made stamps created by Amsa.
Staff, physicians, patients and visitors at both locations also enjoyed the opportunity to browse cultural jewelry, artwork, and much more as part of a Black History Month Vendor Fair.
“We were pleased to be able to work in partnership with Yaya's Kitchen and Compass One Healthcare to make this Black History Month experience a success for everyone involved,” says Cathy Wood, Black Health Lead at LHSC.
This month, the LHSC Black History Month Organizing Committee planned numerous events that brought cultural education, wellness activities, and Black History Month programming to patients, visitors, and members of Team LHSC in an effort to bring key elements of Black culture into the hospital.
“It is critical for Black people to see themselves reflected in the programming, activities and culture of the hospital,” Wood states. “The Black Health team is continuing to build important partnerships and relationships within the community so that we can better meet the needs of Black patients and their families. Building awareness and education within the organization about Black culture, history, and health issues faced by Black populations is an important part of that process.”
The work of the Black Health team continues long after the conclusion of Black History Month. Currently, the team is working in collaboration with multiple community partners to host an upcoming Black Health Fair that will bring awareness to health issues faced by Black populations. Information on the event will become available in the coming weeks.