CULTIVATE MEMORABLE MOMENTS WITH BBQ’S & BLOCK PARTIES THIS SUMMER IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

This is an incredibly unique SACRED PLACE conversation you do not want to miss!

BBQ & BLOCK PARTIES will offer an insight into the history of BBQ & the African American Church, and practical ways how BBQ & Block Parties can build connections with our neighbors and neighborhoods.

Special guest speaker, Adrian Miller, is a food writer, James Beard Award winner, attorney, and certified barbecue judge who lives in Denver, Colorado. Adrian received the Judge Henry N. and Helen T. Graven award in 2019 for being “an outstanding layperson, whose life is nurtured and guided by a strong sense of Christian calling, and who is making a significant contribution to community, church, and our society.” 

BBQ provided by Roaming Buffalo, rooting itself in Colorado culinary history, with pulled lamb, huge bison ribs and venison sausage. Roaming Buffalo was awarded Best Barbecue in 2022 by Westword.

LOCATION

THURSDAY, MAY 11
6:30pm - 8:30pm
Platt Park Church

We cultivate faith rooted in place.

FOOD & DRINK

• BBQ provided from Roaming Buffalo

• BBQ “Taster Flight” included with registration

• BBQ “Full-Plate” dinner for additional $10

• Drinks provided

SCHEDULE

6:30pm | BBQ Roaming Buffalo
6:45pm | WELCOME Platt Park Church

7:00pm | BBQ & BLOCK PARTIES Andraé Alexander, Stephen Redden

7:15pm | BURNT OFFERINGS: A THEOLOGY OF BBQ Adrian Miller
7:55pm | Q&A Adrian Miller

8:15pm | INVITATION TO PRACTICE Jared Mackey

SPEAKERS

Adrian Miller is a food writer, James Beard Award winner, attorney, and certified barbecue judge who lives in Denver, Colorado. His first book, Soul Food: The Surprising Story of an American Cuisine, One Plate at a Time won the James Beard Foundation Award for Scholarship and Reference in 2014. His second book, The President’s Kitchen Cabinet: The Story of the African Americans Who Have Fed Our First Families, From the Washingtons to the Obamas was the 2018 Colorado Book Award for History. Adrian’s third book, Black Smoke: African Americans and the United States of Barbecue, was published Spring 2021. He is currently the executive director of the Colorado Council of Churches and, as such, is the first African American, and the first layperson, to hold that position.

Andraé Alexander is an Automation Engineering Supervisor at Samuel Engineering. His education and background spans automation, electronic, and audio engineering. Andraé and his wife Alyssa live in Aurora with his three daughters: Jada, Ivy and Brontë. Andraé’s family is originally from Grenada, which remains his “home away from home”. Grenada is at the roots of his value of neighbors coming together to share a meal. Andraé considers it a blessing to host “Share the Smoke” to share his BBQ with his neighborhood and especially those in need.

Stephen Redden is a Managing Director for Marrow, a company that launches and operates small businesses focused on profit and purpose. Before working at Marrow, Stephen was a pastor for more than 20 years. Most recently he helped to plant and lead New Denver Church from 2009-2022. Stephen is originally from the south. He was born in Tennessee, grew up in Mississippi, and lived in Georgia for 12 years before moving to Denver. So, a love for BBQ and southern soul food is in his blood. After moving to Denver, he learned that connecting with neighbors and building community was a whole lot easier when you serve BBQ.