The aroma of jerk chicken, peach cobbler, and fried fish filled the air as couples swayed to jazz music under the late morning sun. Crenshaw Boulevard buzzed with laughter, conversation, and the steady rhythm of drums that carried through the crowd. At a colorful food truck labeled “Experience a Taste of Belize,” Chef Randolf flipped Jamaican patties and fried plantains, the scent drawing a line of hungry visitors eager for a taste of something special.
In an interview, Randolf shared with enthusiasm that Los Angeles is home to many Belizean Americans, yet so many of the younger generations have never truly experienced their heritage.
“There are a lot of third-generation Belizeans born here who don’t get to feel the culture,” he said. “I want to bring it here for people to experience it and feel connected to where they come from.”
For Randolf, Taste of Soul is more than a food festival. It is a way of keeping his culture alive, a living story of Belize shared one plate at a time. Every patty and every slice of plantain carry the flavor of family, resilience, and the creativity that keeps tradition alive.
Around him, Crenshaw thrived with energy. The sound of soulful melodies mixed with children’s cheers as they chase bubbles and families chat in line. Poets shared words of empowerment while vendors sold dishes that reimagined soul food for a new generation. Under the shade of palm trees, people shared plates, stories, and laughter, their energy wrapping the street like sunshine.
As visitors strolled down the boulevard, the rows of vendors formed a vibrant map of flavor and culture. Food stands like Happy Ice, 2nd Healthy Eatery, Smashin’ It Burgers, Red’s Smokin’ BBQ, Fun Time Kettle, Mr. Gramps Cheesecakes, Xtremely Delicious, Cookie Bottom Delights, and All Seasons Catering each showcased their own taste of home at the festival. Together, they created a symphony of sizzling grills, sweet aromas, and the pride of family-owned businesses that captured the spirit of South Los Angeles.
The festival offered more than just food. Health and wellness stations lined sections of the street, providing free resources and information to promote community well-being. Families gathered at activity areas filled with games, face painting, and crafts for children. Black art exhibits displayed vibrant paintings and sculptures that reflected the neighborhood’s creativity. And when the legendary American funk band Cameo took the stage, the crowd erupted in dance, singing along to hits that radiated joy throughout every block.
Everywhere you looked, people were in good spirits with smiles on their faces and hope in their hearts. The festival radiated togetherness, not just in the music or the food, but in the shared sense of pride that filled the air.
The Taste of Soul Family Festival, founded by Danny J. Blackwell Sr. of the Los Angeles Sentinel, has become more than a local tradition. Now celebrating its twentieth anniversary, it is a homecoming for hundreds of thousands who return to Crenshaw each October. For small business owners like Randolf, the event represents both opportunity and pride, a reminder that Black culture, artistry, and entrepreneurship continue to thrive in South Los Angeles.
As the afternoon light settled over the boulevard, artists displayed their work, elders shared memories, and the scent of barbecue lingered through the crowd like an open invitation. Each moment had its own rhythm, an unspoken harmony between generations that made the festival feel like a family reunion with room for everyone.
For many, Taste of Soul feels like coming home. Malik, the owner of Fun Time Kettle, has been part of the festival since the very first year. He said he sees Taste of Soul as “a family gathering that’s strong for the community and means so much to so many people.”
His words capture the essence of the event: togetherness, pride, and joy that fill Crenshaw Boulevard each year. As the music slows down and the crowd begins to leave, what remains is a powerful sense of unity that continues to nourish the community long after the day is over.