Throughout history, iron has been both a tool of progress and a symbol of resilience. The relationship between cast iron and enslaved Africans is a compelling yet often underrepresented narrative that bridges continents, cultures, and centuries. This article explores the critical role that enslaved Africans played in the development of the American iron industry, the cultural significance of ironworking in African societies, and the enduring legacy of cast iron in African American culinary and cultural traditions. Long before their forced enslavement and transport to the Americas, many West African societies had already cultivated advanced knowledge of metallurgy. Communities such as the Yoruba, Akan, and Mandé people possessed highly developed skills in iron smelting, forging, and blacksmithing. Iron was more than a practical material; it held deep spiritual and cultural importance. Skilled blacksmiths crafted tools, weapons, and religious artifacts, often serving as key figures...