Kingsford Expands $355K Investment in Black Barbecue Culture With Pass The Tongs Program

A new initiative mixes mentorship food festivals and cultural dialogue to honor the past and inspire the next generation of barbecue changemakers.

Kingsford, the legendary name in American barbecue, has launched Pass The Tongs—an ambitious program dedicated to uplifting Black grilling culture and empowering tomorrow’s food innovators. First stop: Atlanta, with a slate of lively events that link the tradition of the grill to the city’s spirit of celebration and progress.

Setting the Table for Community and Change

Pass The Tongs builds on Kingsford’s longstanding commitment to preserving barbecue heritage and invests in food leaders of color. Since 2021, the brand’s Preserve the Pit initiative has fueled more than $355,000 in mentorship, grants, and resources, supporting dozens of barbecue businesses across the nation. With Pass The Tongs, the focus sharpens: enhance cultural education, celebrate community ties, and open opportunities for a new generation of grillmasters.

Mitch O’Furey, Marketing Director at Kingsford, said, “At Kingsford, grilling is more than just a craft. It’s a tradition that connects generations and communities. With Pass The Tongs, we’re not just celebrating the past—we’re fueling the future by empowering emerging innovators and storytellers who carry this legacy forward.”

Morehouse College Partnership Bridges Tradition and Opportunity

Central to this initiative is Kingsford’s partnership with historic Morehouse College—a cultural cornerstone in Atlanta’s Black community. This collaboration aims to foster meaningful conversations, host new campus events, and expand career connections, all centered around barbecue’s role in collective heritage.

Katina Henderson-Hawkins, Director of Event Sponsorships, Partnerships and Parent Engagement at Morehouse College, said, “We are thrilled to collaborate with Kingsford, whose commitment to uplifting our students, enhancing their on-campus experience and expanding career pathways aligns perfectly with Morehouse College‘s mission. Pass The Tongs presents a unique opportunity to support our student body as we work together to nurture the next generation of leaders.”

Flavor-Filled Events Bring the Initiative to Life

The Pass The Tongs program will pop up throughout Atlanta in summer and fall, inviting all to gather and celebrate culinary legacy and innovation:

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  Greek Grill-Off at Atlanta Greek Picnic: Opened with sizzling competition and smokehouse sampling.

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  Morehouse Hump Wednesday (August 27): Celebrity chef Way curates tastings plus music and fireside chat with student host Isaiah Evans and actress Gail Bean, exploring barbecue’s cultural impact.

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  Taste of Soul Atlanta (August 30): A tasting trail at Home Depot Backyard spotlights regional barbecue flavors and honors culinary heritage.

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  Morehouse Homecoming (October 18): Immersive cookout experience with grilling stations, music, trivia, and a special guest appearance from TV pitmaster Pat Neely.

Looking Forward: Grilling as Cultural Connection

With every grill, smoke signal and shared plate, Pass The Tongs strengthens bonds between students, families, and Atlanta’s vibrant community. The program welcomes anyone—whether longtime Atlantans or first-time visitors—to celebrate the joy, tradition, and future of Black barbecue.

Through Pass The Tongs, Kingsford’s message is clear: honoring the past fuels the future, and great barbecue is always about more than the food—it’s about the people who gather, the stories shared, and the legacy built together.