Lost Black American Recipe Series Continues Beyond Black History Month

Sonja Norwood's viral TikTok and Instagram series highlighting the history and significance of traditional Black American recipes will expand to a weekly format.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Sonja Norwood, a social media creator with over 2 million followers, launched a series called "Lost Black American Recipes" during Black History Month that explored the origins and significance of traditional Black American dishes. The series, which featured recipes like vinegar pie, Burnt Sugar Cake, and Black Walnut Praline Cake, resonated deeply with viewers who shared personal connections and memories sparked by the content. Due to the overwhelming positive response, Norwood plans to continue the series on a weekly basis, as the history and cultural importance of these recipes extends beyond a single month.

Why it matters

Norwood's series highlights the rich culinary history and ingenuity of Black Americans, which has often been overlooked or marginalized. By sharing the backstories and significance of these traditional recipes, she is preserving an important part of Black cultural heritage and inspiring viewers to connect with their own family food traditions. The series also demonstrates the power of food to trigger memories and foster a sense of community and shared experience.

The details

Norwood's "Lost Black American Recipes" series began with a video about vinegar pie, also known as "desperation pie", which sparked her curiosity about other disappearing Black American recipes. She then reached out to her mother and friends from different regions to learn about their family food memories and traditions. The series has featured dishes like Burnt Sugar Cake and Black Walnut Praline Cake, with Norwood providing historical context about the origins and significance of the recipes. Her goal is to recognize the "creativity, ingenuity, and skill our ancestors used to survive" and find joy through food, even in the face of adversity.

  • Norwood launched the "Lost Black American Recipes" series during Black History Month in February 2026.
  • Due to the overwhelming positive response, Norwood plans to continue the series on a weekly basis beyond Black History Month.

The players

Sonja Norwood

A social media creator with over 2 million combined followers on Instagram and TikTok, who launched the "Lost Black American Recipes" series to explore the history and significance of traditional Black American dishes.

Norwood's mother

Norwood consulted with her mother about her food memories, as many of these recipes live in family stories first.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We're losing recipes, and I'm going to find out if that's for a good reason.”

— Sonja Norwood

“When the history of ancestors we never knew connects with our present-day families, it creates this powerful moment of understanding.”

— Sonja Norwood

“Food triggers memory in a way almost nothing else can. The comments on this series literally bring me to tears every day. People are remembering childhood moments and sharing stories about their great-grandmothers, grandparents, and parents.”

— Sonja Norwood

What’s next

Norwood plans to continue the "Lost Black American Recipes" series on a weekly basis, as the history and cultural importance of these dishes extends beyond a single month.

The takeaway

Norwood's "Lost Black American Recipes" series is a powerful reminder that Black food history is not confined to a single lesson or month, but is an integral part of our everyday lives and family traditions. By preserving and sharing these recipes, she is honoring the ingenuity, resilience, and cultural contributions of Black Americans.