By Erica Hardison | President, One Community Grocery Co-op
On Monday, December 9th, One Community Grocery Co-op held its monthly Dinner, Drumming, and Discussion at the St. Pete Youth Farm. The event was a perfect blend of rhythm, community, and purpose, drawing in OCGC member-owners, local residents, and partners from across South St. Petersburg to share an experience that was restorative, helped to build community connections, and connected everyone to the work of food access, security, and sovereignty.
This gathering wasn’t just another community event. It was an intentional melding of the Youth Farm’s “Mental Health Mondays,” a program designed to create safe spaces for community members to engage in activities that nurture mental wellness, and OCGC’s Dinner, Drumming, and Discussion, designed to bring people together to share food, culture, and dialogue while raising awareness about food justice and cooperative values. By combining these two programs, the evening became a celebration of culture, connection, and collective healing.
The Power of Drumming
Drumming, rooted in African traditions, has long been recognized as a tool for storytelling, healing, and community building. Led by master drummer Papa Malick Faye, the evening’s drumming session brought participants into a shared rhythm that transcended barriers of age and background. Papa Malick Faye’s expertise, honed over decades, infused the gathering with authenticity and energy. The circle of djembes and shekeres became a space for expression and connection as participants joined in a powerful synergy of sound.
Beyond its cultural significance, drumming has proven benefits for physical and mental health. Research highlights its ability to reduce stress, improve mood, and even strengthen the immune system. (For more on the health benefits of drumming, visit Health Benefits of Drumming). As the beats flowed, attendees experienced a sense of mindfulness and grounding, demonstrating how drumming fosters resilience and emotional well-being.
Food as a Catalyst for Change
Dinner, prepared with love and intention, complemented the drumming experience. Participants enjoyed a variety of options, including vegan, paleo, and traditional dishes, all crafted with local ingredients that showcased vibrant flavors. The thoughtfully curated meal emphasized OCGC’s commitment to promoting healthy, accessible food while celebrating culinary diversity.
As plates were passed and conversations unfolded, the evening highlighted how food can bring people together to address critical issues like food insecurity and inequity. OCGC, a grassroots effort to create a cooperative grocery store in South St. Petersburg, uses events like these to share its mission of building a just and equitable food system. By creating a space where community members can break bread together, the co-op emphasizes the importance of access to affordable, healthy, and culturally appropriate food as a cornerstone of a thriving, resilient community.
Aligning with Mental Health Mondays
Incorporating Dinner, Drumming, and Discussion with the Youth Farm’s “Mental Health Mondays” amplified the event’s impact. Mental Health Mondays is a program that fosters emotional well-being through community-driven initiatives incorporating elements of nature, mindfulness, and creativity. By aligning OCGC’s Dinner, Drumming, & Discussion event with this program, the Youth Farm and OCGC emphasized the profound connection between mental health and community engagement.
Drumming sessions allowed participants to release tension and express themselves freely, while discussions centered around the co-op’s mission & provided a space for purposeful dialogue. These moments underscored the role that cooperative efforts play in addressing mental health challenges—not just on an individual level, but as a community.
Looking Ahead
As the evening drew to a close, participants left not only with full stomachs but also with full hearts. The Dinner, Drumming, & Discussion event was a testament to the power of community to uplift and heal. It reminded everyone in attendance that mental health and well-being are not solitary journeys but collective ones.
OCGC’s next Dinner, Drumming, and Discussion will be held on Saturday, December 28th, at 11 am. You can register/RSVP at Kwanzaa Event Registration. For more information about OCGC and future events, visit OCGC Event Page. Mental Health Mondays happens every Monday night at the St. Pete Youth Farm at 6 PM. Visit St. Pete Youth Farm’s website for details. Stay tuned for future events and initiatives, and join us in creating a more vibrant, cooperative, and resilient South St. Petersburg. Together, we can nourish our minds, bodies, and community one beat, one meal, and one conversation at a time.
Erica Hardison is a dedicated leader and changemaker in food systems, agriculture, and environmental justice. As a Florida Food Policy Council board member and a driving force behind One Community Grocery Co-op, she works tirelessly to create equitable access to healthy, sustainable, and culturally appropriate foods for all. With deep roots in community organizing and agroecology, Erica connects local food initiatives with grassroots programming and regional partners, fostering collective resilience and building vibrant, sustainable food ecosystems. Her work emphasizes environmental stewardship, economic empowerment, and investing in the future of neighborhood food environments through cooperative principles and innovative solutions.
