Los Angeles Best Street Festival is set for October 18th
By Kenneth D. Miller
Assistant Managing Editor
The ‘Taste of Soul" Family Festival will un-fold to its generous na- tion when celebrity chair Queen Latifah reigns over the 9th annual gigantic cultural celebration on Saturday Oct. 18 begin- ning at 10a.m.
Presented by Bakewell Media and in association with Mothers In Action and returning chairs such as Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, Los An- geles Council President Herb Wesson, Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas and Los
Angeles City Councilman
Bernard Parks, Taste of Soul is held south of Cren- shaw from Stocker to north of Crenshaw to Rodeo.
While media partners
94.7 The Wave will host the Taste of Soul Wave Stage and Radio Free KJLH 102.3 will master the Taste of Soul KJLH Stage, to the east and west side of the famous boule- vard will be an array of favorite eateries, bever- ages and sweet and savory treats.
In between the dy- namic chefs from our own community cooking and stewing menus that we have become familiar with, will be the inaugural Brenda Marsh- Mitchell
Gospel Stage.
Marsh-Mitchell who was the longtime president of Taste of Soul passed away on Aug. 3, leaving a void and legacy of com- munity service that could never be replaced.
Among her favorite stages was the gospel be- cause it spoke to the stir- ring souls, and thus her name will forever be asso- ciated with the music and stage she adored.
Also returning will be the StarQuest Stage, a tal- ent showcase of our chil- dren and young adults in a manner that only could be presented at Taste of Soul.
Founder and creator of Taste of Soul, Danny J. Bakewell Sr. set forth a
blue print of a vision that
not only celebrated its vast talents and culinary dishes, but also a foundation for economic empowerment.
Many businesses and
start-up ventures have dis- covered Taste of Soul to be an engine for financial success.
Its broad appeal allows
for the many small Black businesses to be face to face with their consumers. Corporate sponsors have been lured back over and over again by the sheer over powering numbers of individuals with whom they could not reach oth- erwise.
Taste of Soul is Los An- geles’ largest street festi- val which exceeded one million attendees after eight years and anticipates growing even larger amid the METRO construction on Crenshaw Blvd.
"We Are Incredible To- gether," is an appropriate theme that Bakewell has coined for this year ’s festi- val and no one can attest to
that like the expected hun-
dreds of thousands who will dot Crenshaw Blvd. from 10a.m.-7p.m. Satur- day.
Taste of Soul is pre- sented by the Los Ange- les Sentinel Newspaper and benefits several South L.A. non-profit organiza- tions.
Taste of Soul is a free family-friendly event hosted in partnership with
Mothers In Action, the
city of Los Angeles, Radio
Free 102.3 KJLH, and 94.7
The Wave.
"I’m proud to be one of the chairs for the 9th An- nual Taste of Soul Festival. This event truly kicks off the fall with a bang. I love seeing the different com- munities, cuisines, sounds, and organizations come to- gether for this spectacular event every year," Coun-
cilmember Parks said.
"The Bakewell family and the Los Angeles Senti- nel outdo themselves eve- ry year and I can’t wait to see all of you there."
Like Parks, L.A. County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas is antici- pating 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 in-
terests in transportation, job creation, retention and hiring. He also over- saw the new construction of Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital. He advocates the importance of technology and secured funding for health clinics
cited about this time of the
year.
"The annual Taste of Soul promises to be anoth- er community spectacular! It’s again my honor to be a chair of this amazingly successful event, and I want to welcome every- one in Southern California
in underserved areas.
"It is an honor to chair the 9th annual Taste of Soul extravaganza," Rid- ley-Thomas said. "Year after year this exceptional event in the heart of the Crenshaw community cel- ebrates family, music and delicious food. Whether your preference is a burg-
er, barbecue, or gourmet salad, and whether your musical taste encompasses both gospel and rhythm and blues, Taste of Soul is always a wonderful expe- rience. Like so many An- gelenos I look forward to it every year."
Councilman Herb Wes- son, whose 10th Council District is a big part of Taste of Soul, is truly ex-
to Crenshaw Boulevard,"
Wesson said.
Wesson has worked tirelessly to secure the Brenda Marsh-Mitchell Square on the intersection of Coliseum and Cren- shaw 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 wel- come the Honorable May- or Eric Garcetti back as chair to the Taste of Soul. He has always been sup- portive and we look for-
ward to his leadership this
year in making the 9th An- nual Taste of Soul one of the biggest and best ever," Bakewell Sr. released in a statement.
Co-Chairs for the event will be Congresswoman Karen Bass, Councilman Curren Price, Assemblyman Isadore Hall, Los Angeles Unified School Dis- trict Seat 1 Board Member Dr. George McKenna, KCBS-TV News Anchor Pat Harvey and the pres- tigious Ivie, McNeill & Wyatt Law Firm.
"Each of our co-chairs has demonstrated in their professional and private lives their commitment to the Black community and they have steadfastly sup- ported causes that inspire peace, unity and love," stated Bakewell. "We are happy to welcome our chairs and co-chairs to the
9th Annual Taste of Soul and look forward to a day of fun filled entertainment and lots of good food."