Come savor inspired twists on family cookout classics, imagined and prepared by celebrated Black chefs!
THE COOKOUT, Platinum Edition
June 27, 2026 • Bank of America Stadium
A Celebration of 20 Years of Action Inspired by the Power of Black Philanthropy
THE COOKOUT—NGAAP’s signature food experience, distinguished by a tasting menu seasoned with culture and crafted by Black chefs. The gathering is enhanced by friendly fellowship and great entertainment—all making for an unforgettable feast and extraordinary cultural fest on a summer evening in the Carolinas.
Lovers of fine food, wine, spirits and culture will revel in creative twists on family cookout classics made with premium-quality ingredients and farm-fresh goodness. The Cookout is poised to become a classic, so don’t miss being a part of this distinct Charlotte gathering with gastronomic delights and philanthropic sights on the community.
Our two-decade milestone has ushered in a joy-filled season of reflection, reconnection and intention. At The Cookout, we wish to share our spirit of abundance, unity, resilience, possibility, and fun with our community of grantee partners, collaborators, and racial equity champions. At 20, NGAAP is primed to chart a bold path forward and unleash a new era of generosity with The New Trust, built with and for the communities we serve. Come learn why it matters.
Join us at the table!
Email ngaap.charlotte@gmail.com for further information on receiving an invitation to The Cookout.
Platinum View of Charlotte skyline and Bank of America Stadium
Good times. Great cause. The best food. A better future.
Our Lineup of Chefs from Across the Carolinas • 2026
We have assembled a talented team of 11 chefs for The Cookout, Platinum Edition, including our Lead Chef & Star Quarterback Oscar Johnson.
CHEF OSCAR JOHNSON has received national recognition as a 2024 James Beard Foundation nominee for Best Chef Southeast as Chef/Co-Owner of Jimmy Pearls Chesapeake Kitchen in Charlotte, NC. Also, in 2022, Johnson claimed the title of Chef of the Year by the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association.
Today, Oscar has started a new chapter as proprietor of Biscuit Jam and enjoys culinary ventures and adventures in Charlotte and across the Southeast. The baseline of his work in food is influenced by family traditions, the history of his hometown of Virginia and the Chesapeake region as a whole. Oscar also loves to explore the African diaspora and incorporate international cuisines into the creative process of his cooking.
He’s often NGAAP’s go-to guy when we gather for special occasions.
Chef Oscar Johnson • Charlotte, NC
IG: @ chef_oscar_j
Rounding out our team of culinary culture keepers are:
- Chef Awo Amenumey • Concord, NC
- Chef Marketa Appiah • Monroe, NC
- Chef Ade Carrena • Durham, NC
- Chef Tchnavia Carter-Hallman • Charlotte, NC
- Chef Daryl Cooper • Charlotte, NC
- Chef Shikira Grimes • Charlotte, NC
- Chef Tiore McFarland • Charlotte, NC
- Chef Marvin Ross • Summerville, SC
- Chef Brandon Staton • Charlotte, NC
- Chef Joleen Usher • Charlotte, NC
Look out for further spotlights on our talented chefs of The Cookout!
NGAAP :: New Generation of African American Philanthropists 