From great and amazing wine to travel with a purpose, Cuisine Noir Magazine delivers what readers are looking for which is more than where to find the next great meal. And most importantly, it is a culinary publication that complements readers’ lifestyles and desire for a diverse epicurean experience.
As the country's first digital magazine that connects the African diaspora through food, drink and travel, Cuisine Noir's history of highlighting the accomplishments of Black chefs dates back to 1998 with its founder Richard Pannell. It later made its debut online in October of 2007 and again in September 2009 with a new look under the ownership of V. Sheree Williams.
Cuisine Noir made history again when it introduced its first print issue in 2011. With copies available in the U.S. and Canada, the publication featured cover stories with celebrities Al Rock, Laila Ali, Andre Carthen and Kimberly Elise. Print issues were published from 2011-2017, with a planned return in 2021.
Each week online, readers around the world are treated to exclusive features that share important narratives through a cultural lens. Celebrity chefs featured include Carla Hall, Marcus Samuelsson, Aaron McCargo, Jr. and Kevin Sbraga. In addition, the magazine is also the first to showcase the “foodie” side of other celebrities such as the late great Dr. Maya Angelou, Wendy Williams, Yolanda "Yo -Yo" Whitaker, Tonya Renee Banks, Will Downing and Ray Leonard, Jr.
Over the last ten years, Cuisine Noir has gained global recognition for pioneering life and industry-changing conversations that have been nonexistent in mainstream food media outlets for more than 40 years. In 2016, it received one of its biggest honors by being included in the Smithsonian Channel video on the fourth floor of the National Museum of African American History and Culture Museum (NMAAHC) about the contributions of African Americans to American cuisine.
In 2020, Williams launched the new media nonprofit, The Global Food and Drink Initiative (GFDI), to expand the work of the publication in its mission to share, connect and preserve the history and culture of the African diaspora through food, drink and travel. Through Williams' continued leadership, GFDI will curate programs, events and opportunities for communities and small business owners and continue its advocacy efforts for diversity and inclusion in these industries where Blacks have influenced and financially supported for hundreds of years.