Vertamae Smart-Grosvenor is a poet, actress, culinary anthropologist, and writer. She is the author of "Thursdays and Every Other Sunday Off: A Domestic Rap," "Vertamae Cooks in the Americas Family Kitchen," and "Vertamae Cooks Again: More Recipes from the Americas Family Kitchen." She has served as a correspondent and host for National Public Radio and written for the "New York Times," the "Village Voice," the "Washington Post," "Life," "Ebony," and "Essence.""