August 09, 2018
By Niele Anderson
Contributing Writer
This year’s theme for Taste of Soul is “Come Feel the Love” and Hyundai plans on showing Los Angeles just that.
The road to Taste of Soul has officially begun and Hyundai helped kick things off with a philanthropic donation to Mothers in Action at this year’s 20th Annual Back to School event. The car company plans on providing several donations to non-profits in the Los Angeles area leading up to the Taste of Soul which takes place on October 20 on Crenshaw Blvd.
Hyundai has a huge heart for charity, the company has awarded more than $145 million in grants through there Hyundai Hope on Wheels program where their mission is to support research into new drugs and treatments and help children.
The car company has big plans for this year’s Taste of Soul with a major car sweepstake, giving away a 2019 Hyundai Kona. The Hyundai “Sound Stage” will also return to 39th and Crenshaw at this year’s Taste of Soul with performances from some of the most popular R&B acts. The Hyundai Sound Stage will also be the home of the Star Quest competition which will feature Los Angeles’ unknown talent and rising stars.
Hyundai will join the Los Angeles Sentinel on the road to Taste of Soul with different events leading up to the big day. The road to Taste of Soul will allow Angelinos the opportunity to “come feel the love” of the rich heritage of Black Los Angeles and provide opportunities to register to win the Hyundai Kona and VIP Taste of Soul prizes. Artist line up announcements for the Hyundai Sound Stage will start next week.
Hyundai is a Korean company, but over half the cars sold in the U.S. are made in the U.S. They have technologically sophisticated manufacturing facility in Montgomery, Alabama, engineering facilities in Michigan, plus design, research, and testing grounds in California. All of which provides around 5,000 jobs for American automotive workers. Add to that , they total more than 32,000 employees at Hyundai dealerships and 6,000 workers employed by various vendors.
August 09, 2018
By Kimberlee Buck
Contributing Writer
Seven years ago, Bakewell Media created the StarQuest Singing Competition as part of the Taste of Soul Family Festival in hopes of showcasing some of the hidden talent that lives and thrives within the community. Since then, many of the participants have used the singing competition as a vehicle of inspiration to give them the exposure and confidence they need to make it to the next step in the entertainment industry.
“StarQuest is a huge part of Taste of Soul that we are very proud of. Just as our chefs and entrepreneurs get to show off their business talent along Crenshaw, StarQuest gives our entertainers a chance to show off their vocal talents,” said Taste of Soul creator Danny J. Bakewell, Sr.
“We have judges who participate in this competition who are some of the top executives in the industry and our winners have gone on to participate in national commercials, sign with record labels and perform in venues across this country. We have unlimited talent and potential in our community and StarQuest is a chance for us and them to show off.”
As of this month, auditions for the 7th annual StarQuest Singing Competition have officially launched. That’s right. Those who are interested in participating in the singing competition can audition three ways; online, through the Taste of Soul mobile app, and in person.
How does it work? During the audition, participants are allowed to perform their song of choice a cappella or bring their musical track on a CD or flash drive. Your song should be one minute and 30 seconds, and should be the only song on the CD or flash drive. Lead vocals are not allowed on the song, however background vocals are allowed. Please note StarQuest is a singing competition only! A rap bridge with clean lyrics is acceptable however, 80 percent of the performance must be sung. No bands or instrumental accompaniments are allowed in the audition.
Auditioning Online, Through the Mobile App & In Person
For the StarQuest online auditions, participants can upload a 45 second video of themselves singing a song of their choice now through September 14. Once approved, your video can be viewed and voted by the public one vote per day, per person, per video.
Contestants participating in the mobile app auditions must download the Taste of Soul mobile app through either Google Play or the Apple Store. Once the app has been downloaded, you can record your song of choice on your phone and upload the voice recording to the Taste of Soul mobile app.
All participants are highly encouraged to post their StarQuest audition on their personal social media pages and ask their followers to vote for them to increase their chances of winning. If you decide to post your audition video on social media please use the hashtags #TasteOfSoul2018 and #StarQuest2018. No videos with foul or inappropriate language will be allowed. On September 15, one adult and one child online finalist who receives the most votes will have an automatic slot in the finals at the Taste of Soul Festival on October 20th. Those who did not win online are encouraged to audition again in person.
In person auditions will be held on Saturday, September 22 from 11am-4pm and Sunday, September 23, from 12-5pm at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, 3650 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90008 on the Macy’s Bridge. Ages 5-17 will compete in StarQuest4Kids and ages 18 and up will compete in the StarQuest adults.
Only six finalists from each age category will be selected from the live auditions to perform on the Hyundai Soundstage at the 13th annual Taste of Soul Family Festival on Saturday, October 20 from 10 am - 12:30 pm. In addition to a cash prize, one grand prize winner from each competition will be escorted to perform on the radio station stages. The StarQuest4Kids winner will perform on the102.3 Radio Free KJLH stage and the StarQuest adult winner will perform on the 94.7 the Wave stage.
A StarQuest Testimony
Former StarQuest4Kids participant, Anisa M. Washington spoke to the Sentinel about how the singing competition has advanced her career as a singer, actress, and children’s model. Since StarQuest, Anisa has been accepted to the Hollywood Launch Academy, a performing arts school, where she will continue to perfect her craft. Additionally, she has performed in stage plays, a musical and many other events. Currently she is in production on a stage play that is said to open in Los Angeles this coming January.
“Before participating in the StarQuest competition, Anisa knew that she wanted to entertain the world but she was a bit shy and afraid to be judged on her talents. Singing on the stage at the Taste of Soul prepared her for all of the strides that she is making in her career and she is extremely grateful to all of you that have assisted in her growth,” said Anisa’s mother, Annisha Watson. 
StarQuest producer Pat Shields has been producing the singing competition since 2013 and couldn’t be more excited to see the vocal talent the contestants are bringing to the stage this year.
"Over the past few years, hundreds of vocalists have auditioned for a coveted slot as a finalist in the StarQuest Singing Competition,” said Shields. “We've been the vehicle for L.A. to showcase the exceptional talent we have in this city and for the contestants to build their fan base by performing in front of thousands of people at one of the largest music and food festivals in the country.”
For more information on the StarQuest Singing Competition please visit, www.tasteofsoul.org/starquest or call StarQuest producer Pat Shields at (310) 568-9091 or email her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Get all things Taste of Soul sent straight to your mobile devices by downloading the Taste of Soul mobile app via Google Play or the Apple Store. You can also follow @tasteofsoulla on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for the latest festival news, including StarQuest details!
July 26, 2018
By Kristina Dixon
Contributing Writer
“The greatest show on dirt!” --famously known as The Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo-- celebrated its 34th Anniversary at the Industry Hills Expo Center in the City of Industry on July 20-21st. The nearly sold-out rodeo combined country western fun and African American cowboy culture.
The grand entry began with actor Glynn Turman serving as Grand Marshall, along with Co-Grand Marshalls James Pickens, Jr., Reginald T. Dorsey, Regina T. Dorsey and Obba Babatunde. The audience rose for the Black National Anthem, sung by African American country western singer Priscilla Renea. A short cowboy prayer was said, that expressed gratitude and love for the athletes of the day.
A parade of cowboys and cowgirls took the arena to salute this year’s sponsors. Then, the games began. There were several categories of competition. Crowd favorites included Bull Dogging, Calf Ropin’ and Ladies Barrel Racing, just to name a few. Each rider maintained a face of determination, pride, history and Black excellence all on one saddle.
The crowd was a mix of old and young rodeo lovers from all over the United States, sporting their most fashionable western attire. With fan signs such as, “Team Jean” in support of their favorite cowboys and cowgirls.
There was never a dull moment. In between competitions there were intermission periods, where the infamous “Spanky” the Clown came to entertain and make the crowd laugh. Or you could choose to rush to get snacks and souvenirs from the multiple food and health vendors and sponsors before the next event.
The rodeo winners receive a cash prize and the respected title for the year. Scholarships are awarded to selected students and thank you gifts for audience participants. Afterwards, the riders greet their family and friends and sign autographs for fans.
The Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo’s mission is to celebrate and honor Black cowboys and cowgirls and their contributions to building the west. They highlight the irrefutable global appeal of Black cowboys and cowgirls in the west and their stories behind a sub-culture that is still strong today. The rodeo also serves as a cultural event and opportunity for families to enjoy and embrace the cowboy culture, while being educated and entertained with reenactments, history highlights, and western adventure.
The Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo also travels to Atlanta, Memphis, Oakland, the DMV area and hosts a MLK Jr. Rodeo of Champions in Denver. The BPIR has over four decades of family riders.
The event is much greater than a rodeo, it is a gathering of family who come together to celebrate and cherish the history, legacy and future of 
African-American cowboys and cowgirls.
The rodeo also supports and encourages inner-city children programs to experience the equestrian lifestyle.
“Let’s continue to love and enjoy what has been put before us. Let’s not allow the ugliness of this world to block our blessings and love for one another. We have achieved what many said would never be done and that is creating the only African American traveling rodeo in the world and being able to sustain 34 years of struggles and challenges.
We should all be proud to be part of the history created and by telling our story while leaving footprints everywhere we go.
As we move into celebrating our 35th anniversary, I say stay tune, things are yet to come.” said, Valeria Vason-Cunningham, President of the Bill Picket Rodeo Invitational Rodeo.
July 19, 2018
City News Service
City Attorney Mike Feuer announced today that his office has reached a settlement with a South Los Angeles funeral home over allegations that the company routinely engaged in deceptive and unlawful business practices.
Feuer said the settlement with Agape Funeral Home Inc. at 4250 S. Central Ave. stemmed from an investigation into multiple funeral homes, in which five other businesses cooperated fully with his office and voluntarily came into compliance with the law.
Agape did not immediately come into compliance after being contacted by his office over a number of alleged violations, including failing to provide itemized pricing for services and misrepresenting that unnecessary procedures were required, including embalming, Feuer said.
“It’s appalling that anyone confronting the loss of a loved one should confront practices that take advantage of their vulnerability,” he said.
“This settlement, and our other enforcement efforts, underscore that our office will continue to ensure funeral homes operate according to the law and consumers are protected against predatory practices.”
An owner or manager of Agape could not immediately be reached for comment on the settlement, in which the company agreed to pay a civil penalty of $20,000.
Agape was also placed under an injunction for four years, and ordered to comply with all state laws, regulations and rules, according to Feuer’s office.
The lawsuit against Agape originated from an investigation launched by the city attorney in 2017 identifying six funeral homes in Los Angeles whose websites were not in compliance with state requirements to either provide a link to a price list or a statement that a price list is available upon request, according to Feuer’s office.
Feuer did not identify the other five funeral homes but said they are located in various parts of the city and were targeting different demographic groups. He also said he hoped the lawsuit and investigation would serve as a warning to any funeral homes engaging in unlawful practices.
Feuer’s office said that over the course of 11 months, Agape was given multiple opportunities to bring its website, marketing materials and sales practices into compliance with state law but failed to do so, and multiple undercover investigations were conducted to verify compliance, including as recently as February.
The lawsuit alleged that Agape engaged in fraudulent and deceptive sales of funeral goods and services, including misrepresenting to consumers that embalming is required when it is not, and failed to maintain current and accurate price lists; provide consumers who make in-person inquiries a general price list when beginning to discuss Agape’s offered funeral goods or services and their prices; provide consumers who make in-person inquiries a casket price list when beginning to discuss, and before showing, Agape’s offered caskets or alternative containers and their prices; and to provide information concerning Agape’s general price list on its website.
Anyone with information regarding any funeral home not in compliance with the law should contact Feuer's office at (213) 978-8340 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .