Member Profile: Freedom: Culinary Culture
Freedom: Culinary Culture Kiosk Sign (Image Provided by Dean Lucas)
If you’ve spent any time wandering the Halifax Boardwalk this past year, you might have noticed a new kiosk in the food vendor area. The idea for it came to Dean Lucas during his weekend walks along the boardwalk after dropping his daughter off at a nearby class. With a background in sales, Dean was used to striking up conversations, so he enjoyed talking to tourists and locals alike. Eventually, the conversations shifted. He started asking something more specific: “What do you know about African Nova Scotian history?”
The answers weren’t what he expected. Sure, tourists understandably didn’t know much, but even locals, the people who had grown up in the province and had gone to school here, knew next to nothing either. There are 52 historic African Nova Scotian communities across the province, along with countless stories and traditions, yet most people had no idea they existed. Standing on one of the most visible and visited parts of the city, Dean also realized there was barely any representation of that culture on the waterfront itself. If people can’t see it, how would they ever learn?
And so, the idea for Freedom: Culinary Culture was sparked.
Freedom officially opened on July 1, 2025, not just as another food stand, but as a place to connect, teach, and spark conversations. The name itself comes from Nova Scotia being historically seen as a “promised land” for those escaping slavery, and Dean felt the space should reflect that legacy of resilience and hope.
Freedom’s Blueberry grunt (Image Provided by Dean Lucas)
He built a menu that blends traditional Maritime food with a twist, such as Blueberry Grunt, Warm Cornbread and this year will be introducing fresh subs and sandwiches. The food draws people in, but the conversations are what stick.
Dean and his team enjoy talking with customers about where recipes come from and the history behind them, along with sharing more about ANS culture in general. For many visitors, it’s information they’re hearing for the first time, but Dean is always happy to share and hopes they walk away with new knowledge.
At its core, Freedom’s goal is to create space, spark conversation, and help the African Nova Scotian community grow. Dean wants the culture to be visible and present year-round on the waterfront and to build it up more across the province as well.
Looking ahead, he hopes to expand Freedom into a larger restaurant that also serves as a hub for art, performances, and community gatherings. He also plans to work towards offering opportunities for youth and collaborating with other local organizations to create an ANS tourism initiative.
“It’s all about making sure our communities thrive,” Dean said. “We can’t let our heritage fade away.”
Answering questions in the place he once walked asking them, Dean has built a space that is much more than just a business, it’s the beginning of change.
