Southern Black culture has always carried a rhythm of grace, resilience, and refinement. Our manners aren’t just polite gestures—they are survival, tradition, and love passed down through generations. From the way we welcome guests into our homes—like the open-door warmth of my auntie’s house—to how we honor elders at the table, etiquette in Black culture is layered with meaning that transcends simple “rules.” ✨

Earlier this week, I shared the first piece in this journey:  Grace in Our Homes: Southern Black Hospitality and the Roots of Modern Guest Etiquette . That post set the tone by exploring how hospitality in our homes shaped the foundation of guest etiquette today. But that’s only the beginning.

This series takes us deeper into the cultural practices that shape how we show up for each other—and how those traditions continue to influence modern etiquette and hospitality standards. We’ll explore:

• Manners as Self-Respect — How “yes ma’am” and “no sir” became both respect and armor.
• Sunday Best — Why our church traditions still echo in modern dress codes.
• Respect for Elders — What honoring wisdom teaches us about professionalism today.
• Food, Faith & Fellowship — The etiquette of the table in Black households.
• Celebration & Community — How reunions and rites of passage shape life-long etiquette.

This is more than a history lesson—it’s a love letter to our culture and a reminder that etiquette is alive, evolving, and deeply rooted in identity. 💜