05/21/2026
TEA, TRADITION AND LEGACY
Life’s most meaningful lessons are shared around a beautifully set table.
Tea is more than a beverage—it is an invitation to connect, converse, learn, and preserve the traditions that shape who we are.
Today, on International Tea Day, we celebrate the rich legacy of tea within African American culture and the important role it has played in fostering mentorship, hospitality, etiquette, storytelling, and intergenerational connection.
I am honored to support and share the National Black Debutante Project’s African American Cotillions International Tea Day Discussion hosted by Dr. Nikita Y. Harris with special guest Tea Sommelier Hiwatha L. Coleman.
This conversation explores the intersection of tea, cultural heritage, Black cotillion traditions, and the enduring power of gathering with purpose.
As educators dedicated to preparing young people for leadership, confidence, and social excellence, we recognize that traditions such as tea service teach far more than etiquette—they teach respect, presence, conversation, and the importance of honoring those who came before us.
• Preserving traditions.
• Celebrating culture.
• Passing wisdom forward.
Because legacy more than just inherited—it is intentionally cultivated.