June 16th 2024.
In 1990, Kofi and Yvette Moyo founded Real Men Cook as a response to the negative portrayal of Black men in the media. This Father's Day, the group is celebrating its incredible impact over the last 35 years. The group's signature event even made an appearance on the White House lawn during the Obama administration.
Yvette Moyo shared with the Chicago Defender that the Chicago-based group's mission is to honor the contributions of Black men to their families and communities. She explained, "We wanted to recognize the dedication of men who, despite facing racism and discrimination, continue to strive to make a difference. When new fathers come to us, they see Real Men Cook as a rite of passage because they want to be among other men who serve and have maintained strong family relationships despite challenges."
This year, Real Men Cook will be celebrating "Black on Black love" on Father's Day with a focus on food and fatherhood. The group also has a non-profit arm, Real Men Charities, which works to support families throughout the year. According to Moyo, their building, The Quarry, is a popular gathering spot for men in the community. She shared, "Men know that when they come to our facility, which we own, called The Quarry in South Shore, they will be welcomed with open arms because we are a hub for their healing."
Moyo continued, "Real Men Charities is a movement that aims to shift the narrative about Black men, both in the eyes of society and in the way they view themselves. We also want to communicate to them that their presence is more valuable than their wealth, and that we don't have to conform to capitalism in that way."
One notable alum of Real Men Cook is former President Barack Obama, who is from Chicago and attended their events before his presidential days. Rael Jackson, Yvette Moyo's son and the current president of Real Men Cook, shared that Obama carried the tradition to the White House. Jackson said, "I love that we have photos of Barack Obama wearing a bandana. We have photos of him holding Sasha and Malia at Real Men Cook, and he even wrote the foreword for our cookbook. And this was all before he became a national phenomenon."
Jackson also echoed his mother's sentiments on the inspiration behind the group's founding. He told Block Club Chicago, "Thirty-five years ago, we were having conversations about the extinction of the Black male. The narrative was that we were all going to end up in jail, the War on Drugs was at its peak, there was a lot of gang activity in Chicago, and the murder rates were higher than they are now. But we knew that men truly wanted to take care of their children, that they were trying to work and provide for their families."
He added, "We wanted to counterbalance the negative narrative in the media with the reality that we saw every day in our communities." Looking ahead, Jackson hopes to see Real Men Cook evolve into a licensed brand. He shared, "My ultimate vision is to build a licensing empire. I would love to see a Real Men Cook refrigerator in every home. I want Real Men Cook to become the Brand Jordan of the kitchen, with Real Men Cook knives, cast iron skillets, and more. It can be a symbol of quality in the kitchen."
In addition to celebrating food and fatherhood, Real Men Cook is also focused on empowering modern men and leading ladies through their BE Empowerment Zone. This is a powerful movement that recognizes the importance of food in bringing people together and the impact that men and women can have in their communities. Real Men Cook is truly making a difference in the world, one meal at a time.
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