Black Americans have played a crucial role in shaping the nation's cuisine and yet they have rarely been given credit for their contributions -- some of which are considered among the country's most iconic dishes. Black chefs such as Jerome Grant are now demanding the "visibility they should get," in an industry where many still struggle to break out. The DC-based chef combines sweet potato and collard greens, two staples African-American cuisine, to recapture the familiar flavors of his childhood. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES ARRANGED IN SEQUENCES