Four-Chair Members Return for the October 18th event
The 9th Annual Taste of Soul Festival is quickly approaching and the momentum behind the event is quickly growing speed.
This week founder and creator Danny Bakewell Sr. announced the new chairs and returning chairs for Taste of Soul: Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, Los Angeles City Councilmember Bernard Parks, Los Angeles City Council President Herb Wesson, Los Angeles County Supervisor and Board Chair Mark Ridley-Thomas.
“I’m proud to sponsor the 9th Annual Taste of Soul Festival. This event truly kicks off the fall with a bang. I love seeing the different communities, cuisines, sounds, and organizations come together for this spectacular event every year,” Councilmember Parks said.
Councilmember Parks is currently serving his third term in the Eighth Council District, one of the most densely populated areas in South Los Angeles. An Alumnus of Pepperdine University and University of Southern California, Parks is a lifetime member of the NAACP, the Los Angeles Urban League, the Challengers Boys & Girls Club and the Brotherhood Crusade. He has more the 45 years of experience serving the community and working on housing ordinance to help Eight District residents.
This year Parks has agreed to serve as one of the four chairs for Taste of Soul (TOS) and looks forward to working with the Bakewell family.
“The Bakewell family and the Los Angeles Sentinel outdo themselves every year and I can’t wait to see all of you there,” Parks said.
Like Parks, L.A. County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas is anticipating being involved with Taste of Soul. Ridley-Thomas has served as the county’s supervisor since 2008. He has promoted some of the district’s interests in transportation, job creation, retention and hiring. He also oversaw the new construction of Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital. He advocates the importance of technology and secured funding for health clinics in underserved areas.
“It is an honor to chair the 9th annual Taste of Soul extravaganza,” Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas said. “Year after year this exceptional event in the heart of the Crenshaw community celebrates family, music and delicious food. Whether your preference is a burger, barbecue, or gourmet salad, and whether your musical taste encompasses both gospel and rhythm and blues, Taste of Soul is always a wonderful experience. Like so many Angelenos I look forward to it every year.”
Councilman Herb Wesson, whose 10th Council District is a big part of Taste of Soul, is truly excited about this time of the year.
“The annual Taste of Soul promises to be another community spectacular! It’s again my honor to be a co-chair of this amazingly successful event, and I want to welcome everyone in Southern California to Crenshaw Boulevard,” Wesson said.
Wesson has worked timeously to secure the Brenda Marsh-Mitchell Square on the intersection of Coliseum and Crenshaw Blvd. “You and your family will experience the incredible food and entertainment that’s been planned. I look forward to seeing you,” Wesson said.
Mayor Eric Garcetti is serving as chair for the second time and Bakewell Sr. looks forward to his participation.
“We are pleased to welcome the Honorable Mayor Eric Garcetti back as Chair to the Taste of Soul. He has always been supportive and we look forward to his leadership this year in making the 9th Annual Taste of Soul one of the biggest and best ever,” Bakewell Sr. released in a statement.
Assistant Managing Editor Kenneth D. Miller contributed to this story.
