This weekend marked the 6th anniversary of the Leimert Park Village African Art & Music Festival. In the center of Leimert Park; artists, entertainers and vendors from the community, gathered to celebrate the arts, listen to music and spoken word, and eat yummy treats. Co -produced by Amaechina Anyanwu, the festival creates a soulful binding and energy among its vendors and guests. One of the oldest, culturally rich neighborhoods, in Los Angeles, Leimert Park, is, in my opinion, the Harlem or Greenwich Village of Southern California.
I grew up in this community. I remember going to Dobson's for bubble gum. I attended Audubon Jr. High. My aunt and uncle still live on 11th avenue and I worshipped at a neighborhood church for more than 20 years. Bumping into old school mates and connecting with former choir members and friends, was priceless.
Saturday, I had the pleasure of a v.i.p. invitation to attend a panel on "LA's Love Affair with Natural Hair", featuring the natural hair community's own, Lydia Boyd of LA Curly Girls. It was a great interactive discussion about all things #naturalhair.
Another highlight was an excerpt from Supernatural The Play. This stage production explores the journey back to natural hair and the trials and triumphs along the way - a story I am all too familiar with. If you have the chance, please support and attend, it runs through the end of September.
The Leimert Park Village festival proved to be a fantastic way to spend a few days in the community fellowshipping with my folks and supporting black owned businesses. Let's work together to keep this historical gem a viable and thriving neighborhood.
xo
Lila
special shout out to Kyma Monai for my ear cuff!
