Kingsford® Announces Pass The Tongs, a National HBCU Partnership to Empower the Next Generation of Barbecue Culture
The initiative launches in Atlanta with unforgettable experiences centered around the shared legacy of the grill
OAKLAND, Calif., Aug. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Kingsford®, the iconic brand synonymous with American barbecue, today unveiled Pass The Tongs, an initiative designed to highlight Black grilling traditions and empower the next generation of grillers through culture, education, and connection.
Launching in Atlanta, Pass The Tongs marks the next chapter of Kingsford's ongoing mission to preserve tradition, spark connection and champion future changemakers. As part of that mission, Kingsford has invested more than $355,000 into the barbecue community since 2021 through its Preserve the Pit initiative, which provided 1:1 mentorship to 15 barbecue entrepreneurs, monetary grants and resources to 35 barbecue businesses nationwide. Through partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and local community organizations, the new Pass The Tongs program will spotlight stories, traditions and flavors that have shaped generations.
"At Kingsford, grilling is more than just a craft. It's a tradition that connects generations and communities," said Mitch O'Furey, Marketing Director at Kingsford. "With Pass The Tongs, we're not just celebrating the past—we're fueling the future by empowering emerging innovators and storytellers who carry this legacy forward."
As a cornerstone of this initiative, Kingsford is partnering with Morehouse College to spark meaningful dialogue and enrich fall programming. This collaboration aims to create interactive on-campus experiences that inspire students, alumni, and unite the wider community, through the shared legacy of barbecue.
"We are thrilled to collaborate with Kingsford, whose commitment to uplifting our students, enhancing their on-campus experience and expanding career pathways aligns perfectly with Morehouse College's mission," said Katina Henderson-Hawkins, Director of Event Sponsorships, Partnerships and Parent Engagement at Morehouse College. "Pass The Tongs presents a unique opportunity to support our student body as we work together to nurture the next generation of leaders."
Pass The Tongs will come to life through a series of flavor-filled experiences across Atlanta. Events kicked off with a lively Greek grill-off and smokehouse sampling at the Atlanta Greek Picnic.
The upcoming schedule includes:
- Morehouse Hump Wednesday (August 27): Curated grill tastings powered by celebrity chef Way, live music and fireside chat, featuring student moderator, Isaiah Evans (HBCU Buzz's Top HBCU Host of 2025) and acclaimed actress and Dream Above The Influence founder, Gail Bean. The conversation will explore the tradition and importance of cultural preservation through the lens of barbecue heritage.
- Taste of Soul Atlanta (August 30): Elevated culinary tasting trail at the Home Depot Backyard, showcasing regional barbecue styles and celebrating the rich traditions of culinary heritage with expertly curated flavors and memorable tasting moments.
- Morehouse Homecoming (October 18): Immersive cookout experience inclusive of hands-on grilling stations, dynamic culture trivia, and special moments that honor legacy while inspiring future leaders, and a special appearance by celebrity pitmaster and Preserve the Pit alum Pat Neely to enrich the event's celebration of community and tradition.
Students, Atlantans, and visitors will have exciting chances to immerse themselves in authentic barbecue culture through Pass The Tongs events, sparking connection, celebration, and community pride.
About Kingsford
An American-made company founded over 100 years ago to make better use of wood waste, Kingsford remains America's favorite charcoal based on IRI unit sales data. Over a century later, it's still made in the USA with North American and global ingredients. Whether you're a first-time griller, retired professional football player or the neighborhood's king of the grill – there's no contest on flavor or experience. From the Kingsford Original briquets you grew up with to premium varieties trusted by chefs and grilling professionals, Kingsford is synonymous with the unique experience and authentic, wood-fired flavor of charcoal grilling.
About The Clorox Company
The Clorox Company (NYSE: CLX) champions people to be well and thrive every single day. Its trusted brands, which include Brita®, Burt's Bees®, Clorox®, Fresh Step®, Glad®, Hidden Valley®, Kingsford®, Liquid-Plumr® and Pine-Sol®, can be found in about nine of 10 U.S. homes and internationally with brands such as Clorinda®, Chux® and Poett®. Headquartered in Oakland, California, since 1913, Clorox was one of the first in the U.S. to integrate sustainability into its business reporting. In 2025 the company was ranked No. 1 on Barron's 100 Most Sustainable Companies list for the third consecutive year. Visit thecloroxcompany.com to learn more.
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