Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
'Love Of People And Community' At Leimert Park's Juneteenth Celebration
Nappily Naturals & Apothecary owner Sharon Williams Askia
(
Mariana Dale
/
LAist
)
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.
(
Mariana Dale
/
LAist
)
“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.
Support for LAist comes from
Buna Jaan plays the djembe along Degnan Boulevard in Leimert Park
(
Mariana Dale
/
LAist
)
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.
"My parents came here in 1958 and I'm a son of Los Angeles," said Harun Coffee owner Aaron Chace Johnson.
(
Mariana Dale
/
LAist
)
"Leimert is a place for Black culture, social, political, economic movements [and[ artistic movements," Johnson said.
(
Mariana Dale
/
LAist
)
Support for LAist comes from
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
Queen Aminah's Clothing also sells African art.
(
Mariana Dale
/
LAist
)
"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.
(
Mariana Dale
/
LAist
)
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
Support for LAist comes from
"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."
(
Mariana Dale
/
LAist
)
Vegan or Nah's recipes often substitute fried oyster mushroom in dishes like sliders, chicken and waffles.
(
Mariana Dale
/
LAist
)
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
Customers can create the own trail mixes with the nuts, granolas and and grains at Nappily Naturals.
(
Mariana Dale
/
LAist
)
"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."
(
Mariana Dale
/
LAist
)
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
Support for LAist comes from
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist