TOS-2 “Taste Of Soul”! …. “See you on the 20th”! ….. “Brother Bakewell, I can’t wait to eat on the Shaw!!” …. Are all quotes that I heard from people in our community as October 20th approached. Everywhere I went and everyone I spoke with was excited about this year’s Taste of Soul. Whether it is at a restaurant, rally or standing in line at Starbucks, everybody has a favorite tradition, eatery, or experience that happens at Taste of Soul. The truth is, this is our Family Reunion. Place where new and old friends, family, fraternity or sorority sister all join together to have a good time and Unapologetically Celebrate our Blackness! We don’t shy away from this fact, and we don’t apologize for it. It is not a day that is exclusive to us but it is absolutely all about US. It is the day we come into our own community and “ Come Feel The Love” as only we can. This feeling of Love Is only possible because of the extraordinary dedication of corporate sponsors like Hyundai, South Coast Air Quality Management District, LeadersUp, LADWP, Bank of America, McDonald’s, Chase Bank, Kaiser Permanente, Airbnb, City National Bank and Public Servants like Supervisor Mark Ridley Thomas, Council President Herb Wesson, Councilmembers Marqueece Harris-Dawson and Cur- ren Price and our own musical Mayor Eric Garcetti who along with the dedicated men and women of the City and County of Los Angeles make this day the day it has become. Taste of Soul is now a Tradition! 102.3 KJLH and 94.7 The WAVE bring great artists every year. The Brenda Marsh-Mitchell Gospel Stage, sponsored by McDonald’s brings out the Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour brought to you by the McDonalds Black Operators of Southern California. My team at The Sentinel and Bakewell Media have been working all year long to bring this day of LOVE to our community. Every year Taste of Soul get’s bigger and bigger and it is only because of the generous support we receive from businesses and institution all over this city that Taste of Soul remains the largest FREE festival in all of California and maybe the nation. The entertainment is always First Class and star studded, The food is second to none and is a display of some of the finest African American chefs this city has to offer. I must also thank our other corporate partners who have dedicated their time talent and resources to demon- strating to our community that we are not just consumers but we are valued partners in the struggle for eco- nomic equality and opportunity. Sponsors like Hyundai, LeadersUp, Walsh/Shea, Bank of America, South Coast Air Quality Management District, LADWP, Kaiser Permanente, Law Firm: Ivie, McNeill & Wyatt, The Brotherhood Crusade, Airbnb, City National Bank, McDonald’s, Plenary Group, California Resources Corporation, Chase Bank, Metropolitan Water District, Wells Fargo Bank, SEIU Local 2015, US Bank, AT&T, Charles R. Drew University, Cali- fornians For Energy Independence, Comerica, Lyft, MLK Jr. Community Hospital, LA World Airports, One West Bank, Covered California, Cedars-Sinai, SoCalGas Co, City of Hope, DaVita, Watts Health, LA City Workforce In- vestment Board, Californians for Energy Independence, Easy Choice Health Plan, West Basin Municipal Water District, City of Hope and Metro PCS. Thank you to our Official Transportation Partner Metro. These partners and sponsors have made it possible for Taste of Soul not only to become the largest festival of its kind in Los Angeles, but these partners have allowed it to remain a FREE day of Fun and Family for all who attend. So as always I say to you, ENJOY the day, Celebrate with your friends and Family, have a good time sharing you annual pilgrimage here on the “Shaw” and create a new annual tradition to share with the next generation of folks who come out to celebrate, but most importantly, come out to Taste of Soul and “Come Feel The Love” Yours In Brotherhood, Danny J. Bakewell, Sr. Creator/Founder Taste of Soul Chairman & Executive Publisher The Los Angeles Sentinel The Los Angeles Watts Times Bakewell Media DOWNLOAD THE TASTE OF SOUL MOBILE APP Download the Mobile App for a chance Where to EAT. to What to DO. WIN What to SEE. great In the palm prizes! of your hand! GIVEAWAY PRIZES DOWNLOAD IT TODAY 1 iPhone Watch 1 SegRunner Hair Makeover by 729 Beauty ON CRENSHAW BLVD TOS-3 First Aid/ First Aid/ First Aid/ First Aid/ Cooling Station #1 Cooling Station #2 Cooling Station #4 Cooling Station #5 Main Medical/Cooling Station #3 Los Angeles Medical Providers Unite for Taste of Soul The best-of-the-best medical facilities from across the Southland come together to provide care By: Brian Carter, Contributing Writer and wellness at Taste of Soul. On October 20, Taste of Soul (TOS) celebrates 13 years ous and non-life threatening, illnesses or injuries.” medical assistance. of peace, love and brotherhood on Crenshaw Blvd. Veasley added, “Our other booth will be providing “In the years 2015 and 2016, we had community out- For over a decade, the family festival has uplifted, information on healthy eating and active living, give- reach booths where we provided health screenings, entertained and united the community time—and aways and flu shots to Kaiser Permanente members.” but did not do any first aid or medical emergency time again. The best thing about the happiest festival Watts Healthcare has been around for over 50 years care those years,” said Lauren Espy, community ben- in Southern California is it’s always prepared—meet and has participated in Taste of Soul for the past nine efit coordinator. “So, technically we have been in- the medical providers. years. volved since 2015 and this would be the 4th year.” This year, festival attendees can find emergency “We at Watts Healthcare look forward to providing “At Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital’s and first aid care provided by the following: W. King free mammograms in acknowledgment of Breast medical station, we will be providing first aid level Health Care Group at Medical Station #1, Martin Lu- Cancer Awareness Month to all women over 40 with care and additional medical services in the event of ther King Jr. Community Hospital at Medical Station no pre-existing conditions, no mammogram within a medical emergency provided by our clinical staff #2, Kaiser Permanente Medical Center at Medical Sta- the past year and no breast implants,” said Bryant of licensed nurses and physicians,” said Espy. “In ad- tion #3, Watts Healthcare at Medical Station #4 and Crook Sr., Community Health Promoter. dition to these services, MLKCH will be offering St. John’s Medical Clinic at Medical Station #5. Watts Healthcare will also be providing free oral den- the Know Your Basics program which provides free “We make sure that there is a comprehensive plan tal screening, blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, health screenings and distribution of educational in place to provide for the citizens,” said Los Angeles and BMI screenings. resources in an effort for people to know their basic City Fire Department captain, paramedic, and lead “We invite everyone to come to our booth located at health numbers and take control of their health.” officer of the TOS Medical Action Plan, Rico A. Gross. Crenshaw and Coliseum and get information about “Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles is commit- “That plan is several remote [medical] stations and our low-cost health and dental services in addition ted to helping the South L.A. community thrive by main medical that are all from our community part- to information about our new Jefferson Crenshaw providing world-class health care and ners. That combined with LAFD, private ambulance Health Center,” said Crook, Sr. an inviting campus that anyone medical services—we provide support logistics and The Los Angeles Wellness Station is a collaborative in the community can enjoy,” medical care actually on-site.” program of National Council of Negro Women View said Veasley. “We’ve got walk- There will also be medical providers offering health Park (NCNW). This is will be their 5th year partici- ing paths, outdoor exercise screenings and testing which will take place at sepa- pating with Taste of Soul. Former Mothers in Action equipment, exercise class- rate stations. Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles president, L.A. Sentinel executive and one of the es, a farmer’s market and a will be offering flu shots and HIV testing; Cedars- founding organizers of Taste of Soul, the late Brenda public event space.” Sinai will be offering BMI screenings for adults and Marsh-Mitchell, was a Life Member of National Coun- “MLKCH is excited to be children, and health education; Watts Healthcare will cil of Negro Women. Pamela Bakewell, Chief Operat- part of Taste of Soul, and be offering dental screenings, mammograms, blood ing Officer of the L.A. Sentinel is also a Life Member of as a new community hos- pressure, glucose BMI checks; Breathe California of the National Council of Negro Women. pital we believe the staff is Los Angeles County will be providing lung health in- “This year, we will provide a mobile unit for health a very special group express- formation and resource along with free lung health screenings and for a cooling station – in addition ing their deep commitment to screening for adults; L.A. Child Guidance Clinic will be we also offer blood pressure monitoring, HIV/STD our community,” said Liz Mason, offering free mental and behavioral health services screening and information and healthcare assess- director of marketing & communica- to children, youth and young adults; Shields for Fami- ments,” said Carolynn Martin, executive director of tions.