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'Love Of People And Community' At Leimert Park's Juneteenth Celebration
Nappily Naturals & Apothecary owner Sharon Williams Askia
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Mariana Dale
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LAist
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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.
Vendors set up early in the morning for Leimert Park's Juneteenth event on Wednesday, June 19, 2024.
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“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.
Buna Jaan plays the djembe along Degnan Boulevard in Leimert Park
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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.
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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.
"My parents came here in 1958 and I'm a son of Los Angeles," said Harun Coffee owner Aaron Chace Johnson.
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"Leimert is a place for Black culture, social, political, economic movements [and[ artistic movements," Johnson said.
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Mariana Dale
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Aaron Chace Johnson | Harun Coffee | Instagram
- Harun is a coffee shop, community hub and art space.
- Address: 4336 Degnan Blvd.
- Open 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday, closed Sunday
Juneteenth symbolizes .... a day of freedom from a form of chattel slavery. We know nowadays, even now, it's completely not true, but it's symbolic of that ideal and sometimes the ideal is good enough.
— Aaron Chace Johnson, owner, Harun Coffee
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Queen Aminah's Clothing also sells African art.
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"I just love wearing unique clothing, items that you can't find everywhere," Muhammad said. "I love it when it comes from Africa because that's the motherland." She debuted this Ghanian outfit on Wednesday.
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Aminah Muhammad | Queen Aminah’s Clothing | Instagram
- The shop sells clothing, jewelry, art and other imports from Africa.
- Address: 4339 Degnan Blvd.
- Hours: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday
Leimert Park has always been special. I've been coming here since the 70s and I must say that it's always been a cultural hub, a black Mecca… It's a wonderful way to celebrate our history and our culture…I love being a part of this community.
— Aminah Muhammand, owner, Queen Aminah’s Clothing
"Oh my God, it's just a complete vibe," said Vegan or Nah owner Eboney Botts of Leimert Park. "When you come here, you feel the love of the people and the community."
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Vegan or Nah's recipes often substitute fried oyster mushroom in dishes like sliders, chicken and waffles.
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Eboney Botts | Vegan or Nah
- A pop-up restaurant highlighting vegan soul food— think fried oyster mushroom “chickun” and waffles.
- Address and hours vary based on event.
My ancestors fought for us. …They have paved the way for me to be able to come out here freely and with a smile and serve the community because I want to and not because I have to.
— Eboney Botts, owner, Vegan or Nah
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Customers can create the own trail mixes with the nuts, granolas and and grains at Nappily Naturals.
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"We do a lot of spiritual fine tuning and cleansing," said Nappily Naturals & Apothecary owner Sharon Williams Askia. "When people come in here sometimes they just don't want to leave."
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Mariana Dale
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Sharon Williams Askia | Nappily Naturals & Apothecary | Instagram
- Side-by-side stores selling natural foods, herbal blends, teas, soaps and other body products.
- Address: 4342 Degnan Blvd.
- Hours: Tuesday 1 p.m. -6 p.m., Wednesday - Sunday: 10:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Everybody there has some type of talent and skill that they showcase… We're all there to help each other. I believe what I want for myself, I want for everyone else.
— Sharon Williams Askia, owner, Nappily Naturals & Apothecary
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You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
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