Location

In Los Angeles, CA, at the intersection of Crenshaw Blvd. and Vernon Ave. is a pocket park (Leimert Park). Crossing the street and going N for 2 blocks and both E and W for one block, you are in the heart of Africatown @ Leimert Park. Welcome, and Enjoy!

Why

From a LEAP report: “A people without land in their name is a people without Power --and, therefore, a people forever economically, culturally and politically poor.” That is why all other groups in the City have insisted upon a land site in recognition of their name and/or culture. (from: Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics, Inc.)

  • Yes, 16 Other ethnic, cultural tourism sites already exist in the L.A. area.

Description:

  • It’s the epicenter of Afro-centric events and culture in Southern California
  • Over 65 Black-owned businesses are collated here: shops, cafes, music
  • Its central location gives easy access to downtown L.A. and the freeways
  • The architecture (mostly art deco) and wide streets are perfect for tourism

The quiet and lovely, tree-lined residential area that surrounds Africatown @ Leimert Park is known for its Moorish/Spanish architecture, mixed with a moderne styling of some of the apartment buildings. Africatown mirrors that beauty. You will love the space you’re in.

A geographic cultural location constantly promotes:

Cultural Understanding, Unique Experiences, Fun, Education and Entertainment

Aren’t you excited about seeing an architecturally stunning and culturally authentic tourism district-- one showcasing the diverse expressions of global African culture?

The Inventions, the Art, Music, etc., of The Caribbean, Pacific Islands, South America, Africa, Indonesia, Australia, Oceania… We’re international! What an historic experience it’s going to be! Fun, Entertaining and Educational!! You will want to enjoy:

Afro-Descendants can then join 16 groups that proudly showcase THEIR influence:

Little Armenia

Byzantine/Latino Qtrs

Little Bangladesh

Little Japantown

Filipinotown

Koreatown

Thai Town

Little Tokyo

Little Ethiopia

Chinatown

Little Saigon

Olvera Street

Little India

Little Arabia

El Salvador District

and now: ….AFRICATOWN @ LEIMERT PARK………………!!

Events/Festivals

The Plaza

Home of the famous “Drum Church” that draws crowds of 100-300 on Sunday afternoons, it features 10-15 African drummers in a circle, dancers; sidewalks and the plaza filled with hats, jewelry, art vendors, children playing and a stage.

The Festivals

At least 7 huge festivals are held annually with something going on most every weekend: Kwanzaa Parade & Festival; Juneteenth Festival; Marcus Garvey Day Festival; Haitian Celebration Day; the Belizean Festival; Labor Day Weekend Jazz Festival; Festival of the Masks; and, al fresco dining, vendors, food trucks…. Whew!!

On every block there is usually some nighttime entertainment, book signing, lecture, martial arts demonstration, classes, plays and so on.

The Theatre

A $31M renovation of the historic, breathtakingly beautiful art deco 750-seat Vision Theatre is scheduled to re-open in 2025 as a venue for major productions, plays and concerts.

Performance Sites

The World Stage-- Master artists perform day and night—many stay to teach
The Fernando Pullum Community Arts Center—renown teacher, free classes; Jazz Band
From Jazz to Hip Hop-- Regency West, Barbara Morrison’s PAC, Ora’s, Kaos….

Plaza

Safety & Parking

The Los Angeles Police Department has reported that since 1990, the Southwest District of the LAPD has the LOWEST crime rate in the City of L.A.!

Let me put your mind at rest:

Gold RR

AFRICATOWN @ Leimert Park, as well as the nearby Baldwin Hills-Crenshaw Mall, has the lowest crime rate within the City for a commercial district. Don’t believe what the media tell you—look at stats from the FBI and the L.A. police department.
We want you to know that much of the VILLAGE IS UNDER DEVELOPMENT; HOWEVER:

EXCITING events, concerts and festivals are happening on the WEEKENDS--

– along with our signature boutiques for shopping during the week. Weekdays: Shopping, especially personal shopping, and doing business with all the merchants is the thing to do. NOTE: Most shops on Degnan are closed on Mondays. Weeknights: (and every night, really) There is usually live music at from 3 to 5 of the venues, as well as often a book signing and/or play.

Parking

Honestly, parking can be a headache because the area is so popular. However, there is a City-owned lot on both sides of the main street (Degnan). Quite often there is parking on the perimeter streets. The Hon. Amb. Dianne Watson Subway stop allows visitors to leave their cars at the Expo Line Metro parking lot (Crenshaw & Exposition) and hop on the subway train. It stops right at the corner of Africatown! So convenient.

Come and enjoy Events, Shops and Restaurants and the cultural ambiance in the area!

Join

The Mission: AFRICATOWN

The Mission of Africatown @ Leimert Park is to ensure a commercially sustainable and authentic Black/African culture geographic location within the City of Los Angeles that will showcase the awesome beauty, diversity and history of Black people, which will provide the means for economic growth, high job creation, peace and understanding by the sharing of our arts, exciting culture, events, museums and entertainment.

All mayors and politicians know that planned and managed cultural tourism sites create more jobs and revenue than any other economic sector.

Our culturally relevant name (branding) signifies to tourists that their fun dollars will be well-spent.

Carving

We promote Jobs, Businesses, Education, Entertainment, Fun, Understanding and Security while our Visitors and Families have enjoyable and memorable experiences!

YOU'RE INVITED TO BECOME A MEMBER of the AFRICATOWN at LEIMERT PARK CULTURAL SITE & SUSTAINABILITY GROUP, NAMED:

The Pan-African Cultural Tourism Association (thePACTA.org).

ONLY $5/year and receive monthly updates, the latest information and happenings, and DISCOUNTS to events/products, invites to special presentations and all we can think of.

BUT, MAINLY BECAUSE YOU WANT:

    o To ensure a land base and Black peoples’ presence for generations to come
    o To ensure access to the telling and showcasing of our history
    o To ensure jobs and opportunity that we develop, control and occupy
    o Use what works! Cultural Tourism creates the most jobs—and quickly!

Over 49 million visitors came to L.A. in 2019, which results in well over $14 billion in revenue/yr.

Let’s get our share of that revenue—you know we have so-o-o much culture to offer!

And, you know if we do anything, everybody is going to want to come see what it is!!

We have a MORAL obligation to create jobs, opportunity and to safeguard Afro-centric culture in L.A.!

Contact: fun@thepacta.org         424-223-1519         Enroll: thepacta.org