It’s a family affair: A day at the Taste of Soul

Los Angeles, CA (News4usonline) – Similar to the Black Market Flea, it was only customary that I pop over to the 2025 annual Taste of Soul Event, in Leimert Park. Held on October 25, it was a hot fall afternoon, momentarily well spent. It seemed as though their most ongoers were preoccupied within their own bubble.

Founded in 2005 by Danny Bakewell Sr., the Taste of Soul event was an idea conceived with the intention of bringing all folks from the African diaspora in Los Angeles. The purpose also serves as a space for the Black community to convene and celebrate, while also platforming Black-owned businesses.

With the annual event being held in the heart of a Black mecca like Leimert Park, all of West Los Angeles gravitates towards the space.

The festivities solidify themselves as sort of like a secondary cookout, but for the entirety of the city. Observing the energy around me, the space reflected the neighborhood, bustling with families, friends, and strangers relaxing and just kicking back. Despite being able to interview too many ongoers at the event, thankfully, I was fortunate to speak to some attendees of the event.

With crowds of people flooding into the event by the hour, every line for the vendors, each clustered together. It was a strenuous challenge trying to navigate the crowds. Thankfully for me, I was able to snag a few conversations with attendants willing to open up about their experience at the event.

“What I love about Taste of Soul is that just seeing all of us Black folk coming together, doing line dances, dancing, tasting food – it kinda reminds me of a family reunion,” stated Jaquan Hurts, a member of the Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Incorporated, whose chapter, Upsilon Omega, just so happened to be tabling at the event. You know we are all family, we are all cousins. Even though I don’t know everybody, we are all family in my book.”

Amongst numerous booths, there were many Black-owned community resources and initiatives. Some of these that stood out were The Umoja Project, whose displayed objective stated itself as “community wellness through culturally-affirming resources.”

Even other news outlets such as CBS LA live broadcasted the event, with many celebrities strolling amongst the crowds.

The amount of effort and intention that goes into an event never goes unnoticed. With many businesses, organizations, whether big or small, all put their feet forward to seek to create outreach within the Black community within Los Angeles. “We are trying to get interest for Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Incorporated, but also just to be here, just to vibe.” Hurts continued. “I love coming here. This is my second year coming here to the Taste of Soul, and every time I come, it’s new people, new vibes, new food, and definitely new dances and stuff like that. So just being with the people, and being with the culture. I love that.”

The significance of an event like the Taste of Soul has solidified itself as a staple within the city, especially in the hub of Leimert Park. It is here in the very same location where a show like HBO’s Insecure (created by the trailblazing actress, producer, comedian, and writer, Issa Rae), has helped showcase the neighborhood in an authentic, revered light, and it’s definitive symbolism for the Black community.

“It is important because you gotta be with your people, you gotta know your culture,” stated Hurts. “Especially as a young generation, and I know that Covid kinda messed people up. It kinda made people more antisocial, and more into the digital world.

But sometimes, it’s good to just be outside and touch some grass, or some say ‘hey” to one another. Your neighbor, your person, just anybody. Just be in the moment and have fun. That’s really what matters.”

The spaces like the Taste have also helped ignite an entrepreneurial wave in many of its Black youth, who seek to continue to carry the torch of Black enterprise and prosperity.

“You know, I’m all about Black businesses,” said Thomas Echevarria. “That’s my main thing. I have my own clothing brand called Revolutionary Cloth. What I try to do basically is this. Events like this. In the future, I want to create a Pan-African convention and create a space for Black people, Black businesses, Black delegates from across the world, across the diaspora to come together like this. So this is what I’m about.”

The vibes were ten. Upon attending, I stumbled across a gospel performance on one of the main stages, a DJ bumping throwback jams for the uncles and aunties, and another stage headlining other performances. The downside was that I really couldn’t be everywhere all at once.

“We love to have fun. As Black people, there’s a lot of things that we have to deal with on a day-to-day basis that are more negative than positive,” continued Echevarria. At this period, another influx of people began to flood the crowds ever more, with lines for vendors growing by the second.

“So at events like this, it’s very rewarding to come together and be with one another. Our history will give us all the answers. I feel like learning more about our history will give us the knowledge of self that we need to make us confident Black people in this modern world, because we’re not gonna find it in this modern world.”

I myself had the privilege of revisiting the acclaimed studio of Lulu Washington. A neighborhood gem in the heart of Leimert residing not too far from the Crenshaw Mall, I had to pop in to get a look of the performances that were being showcased. Many of its showcases also consisted of traditional African, Caribbean, step/hip-hop, Ballet, Swing, and Gospel dance presentations.

One of the highlights was looking at the youth step/dance team paying homage to the Divine Nine. “Since I was working, I only ever met the different artists who came to perform at Lula Washington Dance Theatre,” stated Xavier Muepo, a young music engineer who currently works for the dance company.” I got to meet some of the choreographers and some of the performers. They were all high-spirited and eager to share their talents with the audience. It made my job as the sound mixer even more enjoyable!”

Being that there was an array of vendors selling marvellous goods, one of my favorites was Happy Ice, and my newfound gem, the wing spot Fully Loaded, whose seafood mac and cheese and mild mango chicken wings were a treasure to behold. Camera crews, audio technicians, hosts, and other vendor personnel filled the booths and backsides of all the hustle and bustle.

Even high school marching bands kicked off the festival in full swing. One of my highlights was getting a short glimpse of the rapper Sir’s performance on the main stage. It was a sight to be
seen.

“What I love most about Taste Of Soul is a combination of the memories of soul music playing at family gatherings and the community-oriented atmosphere of the event itself,” stated Muepo. “The Taste Of Soul brings like-minded people together across all age groups and creates a simple yet effective way for us to all connect through a shared love of Soul culture. It’s a time where Food, Music, and People coalesce into a peaceful, loving experience.”