b'food mattersTastes of HomeHoliday Riz GrasBY ILYSSE RIMALOVSKITastes of Home is a Food Matters series by Ilysseevent during Black History Month, Diallo is mak- Togo and Ghana. A military coup in 2022 contin-Rimalovski celebrating the rich culinary traditions ofing a measurable difference. We need to take careues to plague the population.M eetingAlizetaDialloof all people who need help, she says. Its timeofAs a Burkinab (a person from Burkina Faso), our local residents.to be true to yourself and just be a good human. Dialloisasuperconnectorwithinandbeyond Diallo is grateful for the life she has built inthe West African community. Working with the is a heartfelt welcomeMaplewood during the last 20 years with her hus- MaplewoodDepartmentofArtsandCulture into the culture of herband, Boureima, and their two children, Djodaand other partnerships, she creates cross-cultural homeland,Burkina(20) and Aziz (13). They speak French and Eng- events that celebrate the richness of her heritage. Faso. Riz Gras, or fatlish at home. They have different religious practic- She hopes to meet you personally, sharing a plate rice,isthenationales (she is Christian; he is Muslim) and respect eachRiz Gras and swaying to the rhythms of the dishcentraltoherothers traditions. They were drawn to the area forholidays. family gatherings and holidays. The aromatic one- its acceptance of immigrants with varied culturesIlysse Rimalovski is a well-seasoned home chef, writer potfeastrepresentshospitalityandcelebration,and appearances. andrecipedeveloperlivinginMaplewood.Have sharing what one has, no matter how simple. Diallo has cultivated many networks of friend- food questions or need inspiration? Send a note to At Christmastime and New Years, Riz Gras sim- ship and support from her neighbors, public of- forilysse@icloud.com.mers with rich meats or fish typically reserved forficials and business leaders. In addition to helmingFor authentic West African meals, Diallo rec-special occasions. These elevated ingredients comeher nonprofit and sitting on local boards, she is anommends these Newark restaurants: together in abundance on a platter served with friedemergency manager with the federal government. Burkindi; A Jaaraama and Ka yaa Ouaga.plantains and Obe Ata (spicy pepper sauce). Diallo was valedictorian of her class at Howard Diallo offers an open invitation to experienceUniversityandreceivedadvanceddegreesfromBurkinaBeInActioncanbefoundat the foods, dances, songs and languages of the localother institutions. She is the only one in her fam- bbiaburkinabeinaction.org.TheNewJersey West African community and beyond through herily of nine siblings not to return to Burkina Faso501(c)(3) welcomes support to continue serving Maplewood-basednonprofit,BurkinaBeInAc- to live after education abroad. Earlier in her career,communities in impactful ways. Through out-tion. She teaches a mindset of volunteerism, com- she spent many years in finance at Lehman Broth- reach events, the group aims to create cohesion munity building and integration. ers and heading up global development projectsandculturalunderstandingbetweenresidents The organization aims to provide free, multi-lin- that brought her back to West Africa for monthsand the West African diaspora. The organization gual programs and cultural events that bring peopleat a time. also focuses on providing professional develop-together to foster unity, education and opportunity. Forcontext,BurkinaFaso(formerlyUpperment,training,networkingopportunitiesfor WhetheritsleadingalibraryworkshopforVolta)isalandlockedcountryinWestAfricayoung professionals and business owners.new business owners or planning for a storytellingbordered by the Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Benin, 38/ matters magazine / holiday 2025'