Bringing People Together With Food and Music From the Soul

by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero

Hundreds of community members gather once a month to enjoy a plate of home-cooked soul food while listening to performances and music at the Central District's Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute.

The Sunday Soul Community Dinner series was started by Anthony Tibbs, founder and CEO of Dope Culture LLC, and his son after he hosted a musical event at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute. During the show Tibbs saw multiple houseless neighbors outside listening and dancing in the rain.

"It kind of dawned on me that there's a lot of people that won't ever see one of my shows or productions because there's always a ticket," Tibbs said.

Tibbs has been working in the music industry for over 32 years and has brought big artists like Mary J. Blige and Jodeci to Seattle. He's a strong believer that music is therapy. He created the monthly community dinners — similar to his music production events — to provide anyone in need of a hot meal with soul-food classics, like mac and cheese, collard greens, corn bread, and fried chicken, along with an opportunity to enjoy music and performances. All for free.

In addition to food and music, they also try to connect people with resources, support, and other necessities. They've handed out hygiene products and partnered with Cricket Wireless to distribute cell phones at some events.

The Sunday Soul Community Dinners have been recurring every month since June. Recurring sponsorships include FAME – Equity Alliance of Washington, Central District Forum for Arts & Ideas, Big Dawgs Hot Dogs, and Soul Fusion Food. They've also received support from other organizations such as Africatown Community Land Trust and Ezell's Famous Chicken. "Everybody needs an opportunity and some help," said Dominic'Que Davis, owner of Big Dawgs Hot Dogs. "Reaching down to level people up is a good feeling."

However, a big part of the dinners has been funded by Tibbs and his son, Dorian Michael Tibbs. Additionally, his friends from Big Dawgs Hot Dogs and Soul Fusion Food have provided free food, while Central District Forum for Arts & Ideas provides the event space free of charge.

"As a token of giving back to the community when I saw what he was doing, I said that it would be our contribution to help him out," said Keith A. Floyd, owner of Soul Fusion Food.

Growing up, Tibbs absorbed the belief that helping people and giving back to the community is not a choice but a responsibility. His father, Forest Tibbs, worked at Randolph Carter Family Center, now known as the Catholic Community Services and Catholic Housing Services on 23rd and Yesler. As a young child, Tibbs would see his father feeding houseless neighbors outside the door during and after his shifts, which instilled the value of helping others in need.

Growing up with the desire to give back to others was something Tibbs also wanted to instill in his own son. Every Thanksgiving they would volunteer at a shelter in Seattle to give meals to those in need, and every Christmas he would require his son to give away one of his presents.

"He had to pick one of his gifts," Tibbs said. "He's a shoe buff but he gave a pair of shoes away, and I was in shock. He gave it to a kid that was getting teased about his shoes."

These community dinners have been successful, bringing in more than 400 people at times. And Tibbs would like to expand his reach by finding a sponsor to provide transportation, because a lot of the people who stay in shelters aren't able to leave their belongings behind, making it difficult for them to attend events like these.

Tibbs hopes to create an atmosphere similar to a big family reunion in order to provide people with a sense of normalcy and community. "Just because you're going through something doesn't mean no one cares," he said. "We want to make sure we show up."

According to Tibbs, his most memorable moment from these community dinners was when a group of Latino men came to the event and, in a demonstration of their gratitude, prayed for him.

"I've done hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of concerts and shows," Tibbs said. "I've sold out Paramount, I've sold out the ShoWare, and not once has anyone prayed for me. That was a huge deal for me."

Moving forward, Tibbs wants to continue the events this year. He hopes to increase sponsorships and collaborations with other community organizations and businesses, apply for grants, and help provide transportation to gain a greater outreach to the community.

"​​I know it's not solving the problem, but temporarily it's giving them peace, a safe space," said Tibbs.

📸 Featured Image: Members from Dope Culture LLC, Big Dawg Hot Dogs, Soul Fusion Food, and Rain City Sandwiches join efforts every month at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute. On Nov. 5, 2023, they provided community members a warm plate of soul food. (Photo: Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero)