Leimert Park has long hosted celebrations of Juneteenth that bring thousands of people to South L.A.
This year the large-scale festival was postponed over rising costs, but local business owners stepped up to organize a day of music, food, and community.
“We decided that we would come together in unity and continue on with this tradition,” said Aminah Muhammad, president of the Leimert Park Village Merchants Association.
Juneteenth marks the day federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation declared two years earlier. June 19 became a federal holiday in 2021.
Leimert Park’s festivities date to 1949 when Texas transplant Jonathan Leonard held his first picnic there— a tradition his family carries on to this day.
The event is also a vital economic driver for local businesses owners. The festival organizers estimate the previous gatherings generated more than $1 million in sales.
As Wednesday’s festivities were getting underway, we talked to a few of these entrepreneurs about what the holiday and the neighborhood mean to them.
Harun Coffee
Instagram
4336 Degnan Blvd.
Open 7 a.m. – 5 pm Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday, closed Sunday
Coffee shop, community hub and art space.
Queen Aminah’s Clothing
Instagram
4339 Degnan Blvd.
11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Tuesday- Sunday
Shop selling clothing, jewelry, art and other imports from Africa.
Vegan or Nah
Instagram
Address varies based on event
A pop-up restaurant highlighting vegan soul food— think fried oyster mushroom “chickun” and waffles.
Nappily Naturals & Apothecary
Instagram
4342 Degnan Blvd.
Tuesday 1 p.m. -6 p.m., Wednesday – Sunday: 10:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Side-by-side stores selling natural foods, herbal blends, teas, soaps and other body products.
Read the full article here
Discussion about this post