From 2009 to 2015, I had the pleasure of working with a dynamic ambassador for Leimert Park Village -- "The Harlem of the West Coast." Amaechina Anyanwu introduced me to a wonderful world that is complex, gifted, intense, talented, entrepreneurial and faithful people that fueled a conscious community of people that most of the nation knows little about.
Historically, Leimert Park diversity ranges from African drum circle, replete with an infamous 24 hr ganja aroma all the way to the world headquarters of conservative pundit, Tavis Smiley to Papillon Gallery to the African Art and Music Festival. The most significant such festival west of the Chicago. I served as the official photographic essayist and honorary co-producer.
The festival took place on Labor Day Weekend, embraced an average of 5-10,000 people over 3 days. The menagerie of art, music, fashion, food, beauty, family, comedy, encouragement, social and religious politics, infused with gender and age diversity from infants to centenarians, famous to emerging to the unknown. The music genres displayed from Senegal, Brazil, deep southern rhythms to hip hop, jazz, gospel, folk, doo wop, funk, hymnals and all of the nuances of the blues.
Armed with my ALL ACCESS credentials covered the main stage as well as the audience and behind the scenes for 9 hours each day. It was exhausting and exhilarating simultaneously. This first suite of images is the tip of over 50,000 images captured over 6 years.
Enjoy.