21st Annual Taste of Soul: California’s Largest Black Street Festival Comes Alive With Culture, Music and Connections

Joe W. Bowers Jr. | California Black Media 

The 21st annual Taste of Soul Family Festival brought hundreds of thousands to Crenshaw Boulevard in South Los Angeles on Oct. 17 for food, music and a celebration of Black culture. Visitors could shop with small businesses, enjoy live music performances, speak with health professionals and learn about job opportunities. 

Presented by Bakewell Media and the Los Angeles Sentinel, the free festival stretched along the corridor from Stocker Street to Obama Boulevard. The Sentinel estimated attendance at more than 300,000. The day also marked founder Danny J. Bakewell Sr.’s 80th birthday. 

For the Taste of Soul, Bakewell drew inspiration from his childhood in New Orleans, where festivals and parades were central to community life. He envisioned a similar celebration in Los Angeles that would showcase the culture, traditions, and the city’s Black community.

“We call it a party with a purpose,” Pam Bakewell, the founder’s sister and a longtime festival organizer, told California Black Media (CBM). 

The University of Southern California marching band opened the festival. Dorsey High School’s band, majorettes and dance team also performed. Pam Bakewell said Crenshaw High School and Audubon Middle School participated in the morning program. Youth from Brotherhood Crusade served as festival ambassadors, and a Black art exhibit added to the cultural offerings. 

The enticing aromas of barbecue, fried chicken and catfish filled the air as food vendors served up a tempting array of Southern favorites, including cobbler and other desserts. Vendors also offered clothing, jewelry, books and beauty products. About 350 vendors and sponsors participated, including approximately 80 food vendors, Bakewell said. Businesses came from across Southern California and as far away as Chicago and Atlanta.

“In one day, an entrepreneur has the opportunity to showcase their business to hundreds of thousands of people,” Danny J. Bakewell Jr., president of the Sentinel. 

Chase offered vendors training in marketing and financial management, followed by a reception. Organizers want to extend the assistance throughout the year. 

Serving that crowd takes preparation. Experienced vendors also help newcomers. Pam Bakewell cited Cobbler King, a longtime participant who shares lessons from his early festivals about preparing for crowds and building a business. 

“We want everybody to be successful,” she said. “We can’t guarantee that, but we give you the crowd.” 

Kaiser Permanente served as the festival’s main medical provider. St. John’s Community Health sponsored Children’s World, where children played games while families received preventive care and information about follow-up services. 

According to a report shared with Bakewell, St. John’s provided flu shots, fluoride treatments for children and clinic sign-ups for physical examinations. It also reported distributing more than 10,400 bags of diapers. Bakewell said the organization has committed to returning in 2027. 

CBM hosted a booth as part of its California Black Health Journalism Project, a yearlong, solutions-oriented reporting initiative to advance health equity for Black Californians. 

Dr. Deidra Beckles, who practices family and internal medicine, and Adriana Westby-Trent, Ph.D., a licensed clinical psychologist, held “Ask the Doc” conversations. Both are with Divinely Restored Health & Wellness. The booth drew steady traffic as they answered attendees’ health questions. Visitors received a “Your Wellness Matters” T-shirt. 

The event guide listed recruitment booths for the Los Angeles city and county fire departments. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) also participated as a sponsor. The Sentinel promoted a developing jobs platform, inviting attendees to post resumes and connect with employers. Bakewell said about 350 people signed up along the boulevard. 

Three stages offered music for different generations. The Bakewell Media Sounds of the Soul Stage featured Thelma Houston, Switch and headliner Midnight Star. Tony Cornelius, son of “Soul Train” creator Don Cornelius, introduced Midnight Star and appeared with eight veteran dancers from the television show. 

Houston, a neighborhood resident, had attended the festival long before taking its stage. 

“I’ve come to Taste of Soul many times, but as a neighbor,” she said. 

The Radio Free KJLH Music Stage featured Lucky Daye, Alex Isley, Allen Stone and Terisa Griffin. On the Brenda Marsh-Mitchell Gospel Stage, MAJOR. served as host and performer. The lineup included Deitrick Haddon, local choirs and a youth performing arts ensemble. 

During the festivities, police activity nearby drew concern. ABC7 reported two stabbings and an hours long Los Angeles Police Department citywide tactical alert.  

Pam Bakewell said police told organizers the incidents occurred outside the festival boundaries. She said organizers are reviewing safety measures with security personnel and police. 

The festival also connects the Sentinel with readers and advertisers. Sponsorship packages include advertising and digital promotion that support the newspaper’s business. 

“Newspapers have so much power and strength to bring people together,” Bakewell said. 

 Danny Bakewell Sr. credited residents with making the festival a lasting part of their community. 

“The community owns Taste of Soul now and every year they come because they appreciate it and enjoy it,” he said.