Focus on Community: A Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. from Ben’s Chili Bowl in Washington, D.C. 18 January 2021 1000 - 1025

Bens-early-daysBen’s Chili Bowl has been a mainstay of the Black community in Washington, D.C., for nearly 62 years. It stands as a historic example of how a business can serve as a driver of economic development during good times and provide hope and solidarity to a community during hard times.

Virginia Ali, cofounder of Ben’s Chili Bowl with her late husband, Ben, will share stories about sitting with Dr. King and later with the first Black President of the United States, Barack Obama, and share how her restaurant has served as a gathering place for everyone, whether you are homeless or the President of the United States.

Ben’s current staff will share a cooking demonstration of some of their specialties.   

Register for the full MLK Day: A Tribute to Service program