Lexington proclaims February Black History Month; restaurateur announces free-plate giveaway and senior banquet

Mayor Jason Hayes on Jan. 27 read a proclamation recognizing February 2025 as Black History Month in Lexington and encouraged residents to reflect on African American history and contributions.

Talita Jones, owner-operator of JJ's Grama Soul Food and Unity Sound and Production, accepted the proclamation and spoke about the importance of history and community giving. Jones said her restaurant will give away 100 plates of traditional soul-food meals in February and described plans for a senior banquet for people age 60 and older.

Jones spoke about the role of love in soul-food traditions and said local support has helped her business expand: “To be Lexington's first soul food restaurant and first black owned restaurant on record…for me to touch record basis means that I have to keep giving out no matter what difficulties I go through,” she said. She added that the free-plate giveaway will begin at 11 a.m. and that recipients will pick up tickets at her music studio; she also said the senior banquet will be free and available by calling her restaurant to register.

Transcript remarks include two dates when Jones mentioned events — Feb. 10 and Feb. 12 — in the course of her remarks. The city proclamation and Jones’s announcements were presented at the start of the meeting during recognitions and public comment; council members thanked Jones and other community organizations for their work.

Reverend Alan Suber, president of the local NAACP, also thanked councilors for their support of Martin Luther King Jr. events during public comment.