Starex Smith is an accomplished and experienced public administrator, fundraiser, foodie, and culinary business developer who has committed himself to maximizing the Black experience in the United States! He currently serves as Vice President of Strategy and Development for Black Tech Week with over twelve (12) years of experience in managing public/private partnerships, large scale events, and nonprofits. He has successfully raised over 20 million dollars in funding for various governmental entities, food companies, and individuals. Starex has assisted countless food industry businesses successfully obtain funding, taking mom and pop storefronts to scalable businesses. His success in working with restaurants sparked a passion for food and entrepreneurship which led to the launching of Sothern Bytes, a teaching platform food business dedicated to an ever evolving food industry with a focus on technology, culture and innovation. Having constantly run into stereotyping negatively affecting his dining and vacationing experiences, Starex decided to curate great destinations, restaurants, and discuss issues surrounding being a hungry Black man. Starex completed both his Bachelor’s and Master’s coursework in Public Administration at Florida International University where he served as president of the Black Student Union and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated, Lambda Tau Chapter
Have you ever received a recommendation that surpassed your expectations? Island Fusion Grill did that for me, making it my second favorite Broward eatery because it has some of the best food I’ve had in South Florida. (Swirl Wine Bistro is my favorite). Bordering Davie, Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood, this unique gem is located at…
Lemonade serves a critical role in American life, especially in the south. Like many others, my family joyously served it every family reunion. The first pitcher was straight lemonade. But then there would always be another that contained half the freshly squeezed lemonade plus the exact amount of freshly brewed sweet tea to it, also…
Throughout my 38 years on this planet, I have come across my share of amazing tacos, undoubtedly the most fused food creation to ever exist. Its versatility is legendary. Just about every culinary culture has a taco filled with its rich food contributions. A taco is the food version of Cristo Redentor’s Christ the Redeemer…
In 2014, when we could gather freely without fear of dying from someone coughing or sneezing, I attended SWXW in Austin, Texas. While there, I was given an edible that was so potent it transformed a once holy ghost filled and dignified black man into a gluttonous maniac pacing outside of the famed Franklins BBQ.…
Tallahassee is home to FAMU, Florida State and is our state’s capital. Since it’s a college town, I never really had a reason to visit. My total disinterest in Florida’s racist and terrible history made walking the halls of the capital or visiting the Governor’s Mansion very unappealing. Capital City Chamber of Commerce President Katrina…
Chef Richard Ingraham, Dwyane Wade’s personal chef, and Shannon Allen, wife of former NBA great, Ray Allen, have teamed up to create a tasty new concept for the burgeoning organic food market. Grown Southern is a 100 percent organic spin on soul food classics. Located at 8211 S Dixie Hwy, Miami, FL 33143, it’s the…
Firehouse Subs, Quizno’s, Blimpie, Jersey Mike, and other quick casual sub and sandwich shops were hugely popular during my high school and undergrad years. I LOVED them all, especially Quizno’s; but then a very interesting thing happen to my palate. It matured. Suddenly, I loathed Quizno’s subs, in part because its bread had the…
By Michelle Hollinger (FORT LAUDERDALE) – A Ft. Lauderdale restaurant is under fire for what appears to be racially motivated behavior regarding their credit card policy. Joanne Melisizwe posted on Facebook recently about her experience at RockBar, a popular beachside eatery located at 219 S. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale. In the post,…
According to Yelp’s Economic Impact Report, nearly 24,000 restaurants have closed their doors nationwide since March 1, 53 percent permanently. This reality was even more daunting for Black owned eateries because of the inability to access to capital and being located in some of the hardest hit areas. The pandemic has made 2020 feel like…
TRUE Kitchen + Kocktails in Dallas, Texas was at the center of a social media firestorm this past weekend after video showed the restaurant’s owner—Mr. Kevin Kelley going slap crazy on a group of women who had been dancing on his furniture, taking photos with their heels digging inside the surface of his couches and…