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

Detroit Suburb Has A New Black Owned Eatery and it’s $#%#^@ Delicious!

Detroit, Restaurant Review17 Comments

Searching for creative and delicious dishes within Detroit’s Black food ecosystem has become easier and easier.  Cameraman Joe and I visited Sweet Magnolias Restaurant where we were thrilled to encounter the Magnolia’s Southern Omelet ($11.75) with a side of sumptuous Green Fried Tomatoes. This six egg monster omelet infused with collard greens, mac and cheese,…

Miami-Dade Largest Vegan & Vegetarian Restaurant is Black Owned & Delicious!

Restaurant Review, South Florida16 Comments

While vegetarianism and veganism are on the rise in the African-American/Black community; it’s still a relatively new frontier for our people, especially African-Americans.  Vegetarianism was relatively low in West Africa, home to our ancestors, so changing your entire diet to a plant based one can be challenging. Following the coronation of Haile Selassie I as…

Haitian Takeout is Fort Lauderdale Hidden Gem! @$#!%#@ Delicious!

Restaurant Review, South Florida3 Comments

If cameraman Korey (@KoreyDavisPhotography) doesn’t shoot it, I won’t eat it. DON’T SLEEP ON HAITIAN CUISINE!  Increasingly, I find myself identifying Haitian cuisine as one of my favorite Caribbean selections.  The origins of the cuisine are rooted in African cooking traditions with strong influences, namely from France and Taino food pathways. Haitian food is also…

Black Owned Miramar Eatery Creates Amazing Soul Food & Caribbean Fusion!

Restaurant Review, South Florida7 Comments

Diaspora is defined as the dispersion of any people from their original homeland.  So when you hear the phrase “African Diaspora,” it is simply referencing all Black people throughout the world outside of Africa; including Black Haitians, African-Americans, Jamaicans, Bahamians, Brazilians, Colombians, Venezuelans, and any Black person outside of Africa regardless of ethnicity.  So if…