In addition to an array of food and music, the LAX Lounge will conduct on-site job interviews.
The greatest Black block party on the West Coast – the 19th Annual Taste of Soul Family Festival – kicks off on Saturday, Oct. 19, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Crenshaw Blvd., from Obama Blvd. to Stocker Ave.
More than 500,000 people attended the free daylong event in 2023 and a comparable number is expected in 2024 to enjoy the array of music, food, and shopping, along with job interviews, financial information, health screenings and more!
“For 19 years, Taste of Soul has served as the biggest and baddest celebration of Black enterprise. No event captures the collective spirit, strength and unity of the Black community quite like this one,” declared Danny J. Bakewell, Sr., TOS founder and creator.
“On this day, we come to celebrate ourselves, our families, our businesses, our people and our shared journey. I want to thank the community for their love and support of Taste of Soul, year after year. This celebration of culture, unity and joy would not be possible without each and every one of you.”
The Taste of Soul experience features a wide variety of cuisines including soul food, Caribbean meals, fried and grilled dishes, vegetarian options, and tantalizing desserts. Music will also play a leading with top entertainers and recording artists performing on three stages – Bakewell Media “Music for the Soul” Stage presented by Chevrolet, Mothers In Action Brenda Marsh-Mitchell Gospel Stage, and the Radio Free 102.3 KJLH Music Stage presented by Amazon Access.
Also, Children’s World sponsored by First 5 California will host fun activities for young people such as face painting, inflatable games and the slime tank. Another highlight is the LAX Lounge produced by Los Angeles World Airports where a panel discussion and job opportunities will be outlined. Los Angeles County will also conduct job interviews at their pavilion.
Actress and comedienne Tiffany Haddish returns as the Taste of Soul celebrity co-chair. The chairs are Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, L.A. Mayor Karen Bass, Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson, and Councilmember Heather Hutt. Co-chairs include Councilmember Curren Price, LAUSD Board Member Dr. George McKenna, CBS/KCAL News Anchor Pay Harvey, Assemblymembers Isaac Bryan, Mike Gipson, and Reggie Jones-Sawyer, and the law firm of Ivie McNeil Wyatt Purcell & Diggs.
“Taste of Soul would not be possible without the overwhelming support from our corporate sponsors, community members, small business owners and elected officials,” noted Bakewell.
The Premiere Sponsors are Chevrolet, Southern California Gas Company, Chase Bank, South Coast Air Quality Management District, City National Bank, Ivie McNeill Wyatt Purcell & Diggs, BMO, Los Angeles World Airports, Port of Los Angeles, and Premier Sponsor and Official Transportation Partner and Premiere Sponsor Metro.
Other sponsors are Bank of America, Waymo, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, LADWP, UDW-AFSCME Local 3930 Wells Fargo, Southern California Edison, Cedars-Sinai, SEIU Local 2015, UCLA Health, Pasadena City College, MLK Community Healthcare, Brotherhood Crusade, US Bank, Kaiser Permanente, Vallarta Supermarkets, InnovAge California PACE Crenshaw Center, USC, California Teachers Association, Watts Health Care, Los Angeles Community College District, Charles R. Drew University, AT&T, Los Angeles Dodgers, Black Girl Sunscreen, Los Angeles Public Library, Habitat for Humanity LA, OneLegacy, Pantages/Centerstage Group, Black Girl Sunscreen, Cal Fire, California Conservation Corps, California Black Media, Pet Food Express, Umpqua Bank, SEIU 721, Lee Andrews Group, W. King Healthcare Group, CA Yimby, Target, Comerica Bank, California Highway Patrol, DoorDash, Los Angeles Football Club, First 5 LA, Center for Healthcare Rights, LA Sanitation, West Basin Municipal Water District, UTLA, 97.1 KNX, K-Earth 101, KTWV, L.A. Care, Neighborhood Housing Services.
Taste of Soul partners include Bakewell Media, Los Angeles Sentinel, Mothers In Action, Radio FREE 102.3 KJLH, CBS2/KCAL9, 94.7 The WAVE, Brotherhood Crusade, LAUSD, LA Department of Transportation, Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, City of L.A., County of L.A., Los Angeles Bureau of Street Services, and Western States Carpenters.
“We invite you to bring your entire family to enjoy this free, first-class event in South Los Angeles,” added Bakewell.
Free public parking and shuttles to Taste of Soul are available at Crenshaw High School, 5010 11th Ave in L.A.; and Dorsey High School, 3537 Farmdale Avenue in L.A. Attendees can also take Metro to Taste of Soul.
To learn more, visit tasteofsoulla.com.
