Shaista Mohammed: So why UH?
Eboni Haynes: Um it was far away but close enough, from home.
Mohammed: And where is home?
Haynes: Kountze, Texas
Mohammed: So did you spend time in Kountze, or did you escape elsewhere when you were living there?
Haynes: No, I lived in Kountze. I spent time in Kountze.
Mohammed: So, what is there to do?
Haynes: Nothing, just go to school, play sports.
Mohammed: What sports did you enjoy?
Haynes: Basketball?
Mohammed: I love to watch it, but I can’t play it.
Haynes: Me either, but it’s my favorite sport
Mohammed: So what do you do for fun apart from basketball?
Haynes: I sleep for fun, hang out with my friends. That’s about it. School takes over my life.
Mohammed: So what is the weirdest thing you’ve ever done?
Haynes: I tend to stay away from weird things. I guess I danced on stage at a restaurant.
Mohammed: Which restaurant was it?
Haynes: At Mi Luna’s. That’s weird for me.
Mohammed: Do you like tapas?
Haynes: I didn’t eat, I just danced.
Mohammed: So why were you dancing on a stage in Mi Luna?
Haynes: There’s a live band that comes to play salsa music there sometimes, so there’s a stage.
Mohammed: So you dance salsa?
Haynes: I try to dance salsa.
Mohammed: Do you ever go tango dancing?
Haynes: No, I have no rhythm.
Mohammed: Good to know.
Haynes: Um, when I can, I like to read.
Mohammed: What’s your favorite genre?
Haynes: I don’t have a favorite genre, but I read anything by African-American authors. I like the cultural perspective.
Mohammed: Who’s your favorite author?
Haynes: It’s either Toni Morrison or Alice Walker.
Mohammed: I like Toni Morrison. So what’s your favorite kind of food?
Haynes: Soul food.
Mohammed: Where’s your favorite restaurant for soul food in Houston?
Haynes: I don’t go to soul food restaurants in Houston, because it’s better when my mom cooks it.
Mohammed: I have the same feeling about Indian food restaurants. What’s your favorite restaurant?
Haynes: Fu-Fu Caf’eacute;!
Mohammed: Oh! Have you tried the soup dumplings?
Haynes: No, but I love the, I’m going to mess up the name, chong yo bing. It’s pancakes with little green onions.