Columbia, SC – Richland Library welcomes acclaimed Food Network star and New York Times bestselling author Kardea Brown for a special author talk on Friday, January 16, 2026, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Richland Library Main (1431 Assembly St. Columbia, SC). The free event invites the community to spend an evening with Brown as she discusses her newest cookbook, Make Do with What You Have.
During the program, Brown will be joined in conversation by KJ Kearney, James Beard Award–winning content creator and founder of Black Food Fridays. Together, they will explore Brown’s culinary journey, the inspiration behind her latest book, and the deep cultural roots of Gullah Geechee foodways that shape her work. The discussion highlights how creativity, heritage, and resourcefulness intersect in the kitchen.
Make Do with What You Have features more than 100 recipes that reimagine beloved childhood meals using accessible ingredients and simple techniques. Drawing from her upbringing in a single-parent household, Brown encourages readers to create flavorful, meaningful dishes with what is already on hand, offering a fresh perspective on classic Southern comfort food.
Following the conversation, Brown will participate in a book signing. All Good Books will be on-site with copies of Make Do with What You Have available for purchase. An ASL interpreter will be provided to ensure accessibility for all attendees.
For those seeking a more intimate experience, the Richland Library Friends + Foundation will host a pre-event Meet & Greet with Kardea Brown. Tickets for this special opportunity are available through the Friends + Foundation Eventbrite page and must be purchased by 11:59 p.m. on January 15. Tickets will not be sold at the door.
Who is Kardea Brown
Kardea Brown is a contemporary Southern chef, television host, and author. She is the New York Times bestselling author of The Way Home and the creator of the New Gullah Supper Club pop-up, which honors recipes passed down through generations of her family. Brown is the host of Food Network’s Delicious Miss Brown, Kids Baking Championship, and a resident judge on Spring Baking Championship. She lives in Charleston, South Carolina, with her husband, Bryon, and their dog, Rhubarb.
Who is KJ Kearney
KJ Kearney is a proud Gullah Geechee native of North Charleston and a James Beard Award–winning content creator and cultural strategist.
Kearney founded Black Food Fridays in April 2020 as a call-to-action to support Black-owned restaurants during the pandemic; today, it’s a premier digital-first platform and community of nearly 400,000 engaged supporters, celebrating Black foodways across the African Diaspora.
