Fact Check: Did Zohran Mamdani urge everyone to eat jerk chicken to honor Black History Month?
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani went viral last year when he was spotted in Brooklyn casually eating jerk chicken with his hands from a street vendor.
In February 2026, a rumor circulated across social media claiming that Zohran Mamdani is urging everyone to eat jerk chicken with rice to honor Black History Month. But is there any truth to this? Let us find out below.
Claim: Zohran Mamdani urges everyone to eat jerk chicken to honor Black History Month
An X account @HoopsCrave posted on Thursday, February 5, "Mayor Zohran Mamdani urges everyone to eat jerk chicken with rice and peas to honor Black History Month."
The post also had a picture of Mamdani along with a plate of jerk chicken and rice. The post was further shared by several other X users.
Notably, Mamdani kicked off Black History Month with a visit to the Louis Armstrong House Museum in Corona, Queens – the longtime home of the legendary jazz musician and his family.
He announced that the Louis Armstrong Museum will offer free admission to all visitors on Saturday, February 7, ensuring Black history is accessible to all New Yorkers.
"I am grateful for the Louis Armstrong House Museum for its work to preserve and showcase the legacy of Louis Armstrong. As we begin Black History Month, I'm inspired by the museum's commitment to opening its doors wide and inviting every New Yorker to experience the enduring achievements of a great jazz pioneer, American icon, and long-time New Yorker," the New York City Mayor said.
Fact Check: False, the post is identified as a satire
The claims made in the online rumors are false, as there is no evidence that he ever urged people to eat jerk chicken with rice and peas specifically to honor Black History Month.
Moreover, searches across web results, news articles, official statements, and his X (formerly Twitter) activity show no such quote, post, press release, or event tied to this.
The specific claim seems to originate from an X post by @HoopsCrave, a parody/hoops-culture account and not an official or news source, which includes an image and has been echoed in a few low-engagement replies or reposts.
The post seems designed as satire, exaggeration, or a joke playing on his known appreciation for jerk chicken, combined with the timing of Black History Month.
Furthermore, no credible news outlet, official NYC government source, or Mamdani's own accounts report or repeat this urging. The NYC Mayor's Black History Month focus has been on historical preservation, accessibility to Black cultural sites, and civic recognition—not food recommendations.
