When we had the opportunity to chat with Nicole A. Taylor, author of Watermelon and Red Birds: A Cookbook for Juneteenth and Black Celebrations as a guest on BSB Live, we knew immediately who should interview her – our dear friend and Black Southern Belle Hilari Younger of Habitually Hilari. Hilari is a tastemaker born in Dallas, Texas. She founded a boutique design firm & catering business following a unique trajectory after she graduated from HBCU Howard University. She then made her way back to Dallas and landed on HGTV Design Star. “I would do site visits and sourcing all week with a baby in tow and cater all weekend while my family babysat,” shares Hilari, “I was dead serious about being a B Smith or Martha Stewart rival.”
She was perfect host to connect with Nicole on Black culture, Juneteenth, entertaining, & celebrating our heritage. Watch the live conversation here https://fb.watch/dqcEVCaok8/
“I never knew that I could love the experience of anything more than I loved the ideal nature of the fashion industry. I lived for the individualism and art fashion cultivates. It wasn’t until I met interior design that I realized I could curate monuments as opposed to creating moments.” Hilari Younger
Hilari Younger is a Black American interior designer and lifestyle architect.
Hilari is a proud Howard University alumna who notes her experience at the HBCU is one of her life’s most pivotal and meaningful times.
She is a South Dallas Southern Belle who currently lives in the Washington DC area with her family.
During her conversation with Nicole, she shared how celebrating Juneteenth with her family since her youth greatly impacts her life and appreciation for her heritage. She commemorates the holiday with fun gatherings but also respect for the day, it’s history, and her ancestors.
During the live conversation with Hilari and Nicole, they discussed the importance of celebrating Juneteenth and other Black celebrations as an opportunity to pass on your family’s traditions. “These are the ties that bind” shares Hilari.
It’s important to continue to pass on traditions, memories, history of your family and culture. One way to do this is by passing down family recipes. Nicole asked Hilari who makes the potato salad in her family.
Hilari’s grandmother made the potato salad and now she has the honor of making it, which she knows is a sign of one day becoming the matriarch of the family. Taking up the mantle of sharing her families traditions.
The stories, the laughter, passing down these recipes. It’s important to write down family recipes, put your spin on them and share with others.
“Growing up all the children took turns churning the bucket making ice cream, its a right of passage that allows us to know we are all in this together and when you grow tired someone is going to pick up the slack for you and you are going to work together until the ice cream gets made.
Do your Juneteenth memories include making homemade ice cream. Making homemade ice cream is a great way to pass on happiness, family, and perseverance to the next generation. What traditions will be celebrating during this year’s Juneteenth holidayay?
Learn more about Hilari Younger and read more Juneteenth stories at www.blacksouthernbelle.com/bsb-latest-stories/juneteenth
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