We took the lead on developing, crowd-funding, and producing an ambitious short documentary that sought to explore the profound cultural significance of one of the world’s most ubiquitous dishes—jollof rice—while also examining the broader experiences of the West African diaspora. The project aimed to provide a platform for both lived and academic perspectives, capturing the stories of individuals who have carried this dish across two continents: Africa and the West. Through the documentary, we delved into the complex layers of identity, migration, and memory, focusing particularly on the erasure of West African history and culture within the diaspora. By weaving together personal narratives and scholarly insights, we brought attention to the struggles and resilience of West African communities, highlighting the ways in which food serves as both a symbol of resistance and a vehicle for preserving cultural heritage. This powerful exploration of history, identity, and diaspora was made possible through successful crowd-funding, which allowed us to amplify these voices and share this important story with a global audience.