American Soul in Portland: A Night of Food and Storytelling

Join us for an intimate evening of food, storytelling, and celebration in honor of (National Geographic), the new book by author and storyteller Anela Malik of @FeedTheMalik.

Hosted in partnership with Here to Stay, this gathering will bring together community, conversation, and cuisine in the heart of Portland.

• A curated menu by Chef Fatou Ouattara of Akadi
• Reflections from Anela Malik on the making of American Soul
• Conversations, networking, and connection with influential local leaders, culinary creatives, and fellow enthusiasts
• Wine from Black-owned brand, Henderson Ave Wines by Tiquette Bramlett, and a selection of beverages from Akadi’s bar program
• A signed copy of American Soul included with every ticket

This dinner experience shines a light on the Black women shaping and flavoring Portland’s vibrant food and beverage scene. It’s a chance to gather, savor incredible flavors, and engage in meaningful dialogue about culture, legacy, and joy.

This is more than dinner. It’s a celebration of culture, resilience, and the flavors that tell our shared story.

Anela Malik is an award-winning creator, speaker, and author of American Soul (National Geographic, 2025), a love letter to the Black roots of American cuisine. Through her platform Feed The Malik, Anela explores identity, relationships, and joy, especially in Black and underrepresented communities. She’s also the host of Our Block, a Black food and travel series that she crowdfunded more than $60,000 for in 2025. A former U.S. diplomat turned creator, Anela bridges worlds, bringing cultural insight, sharp storytelling, and bold perspective to the future of media.

Zanele Mutepfa-Rhone is the founder of Here to Stay, an experiential series rooted in celebrating dynamic and diverse women who have built their own seats at the table. An award-winning diversity, equity, and inclusion consultant and speaker, Zanele brings people together through transformative conversations grounded in authenticity, culture, and community. Zanele and her collective have made contributions to global brand campaigns, such as Nike's Until We All Win campaign, featuring Serena Williams and LeBron James. As an executive producer, she has also created short film interview series featuring thought leaders such as former Daily Show Host, Trevor Noah.

Chef Fatou Ouattara is the chef and owner of Akadi PDX, where she brings the bold, vibrant flavors of her home country, Côte d’Ivoire, to Portland’s culinary landscape. Since opening Akadi in 2017, she has become a force in the city’s food scene, celebrated for her artistry in crafting West African dishes with depth, heritage, and soul. Chef Fatou is committed to introducing Portland diners to the rich culinary traditions of West Africa while creating a welcoming space that reflects community and connection.

Tiquette Bramlett is the founder of Henderson Ave, a canned wine brand inspired by the Bay Area street where she grew up—a place of open doors, shared stories, and community connection. She is also the Founder and CEO of Our Legacy Harvested, a nonprofit advancing diversity and inclusion across Oregon’s wine industry. Bramlett has been a member of the Willamette Valley wine community since 2015 and in 2021 became the first Black woman hired to lead a winery in the U.S. Her leadership has earned national recognition, including Wine Enthusiast’s 40 Under 40 Tastemakers, USA TODAY’s Women of the Year, and Portland Business Journal’s Women of Influence.

Filming Notice

Filming and photography will take place at this event for Our Block and the American Soul book tour, as well as promotional and archival use. Recordings may appear on Feed The Malik’s channels and related platforms. Please let one of the photographers on site know if you prefer not to be filmed.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

AKADI PDX, 1001 Southeast Division Street, Portland, United States