LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Black Events L.A. is taking strides to support black-owned businesses by hosting a monthly community walk for people who want to explore their communities, while getting some fresh air and exercise.
“Guests can expect a lovely, leisurely walk anywhere between a mile and a half to two miles in a different neighborhood of Los Angeles,” said Jocelyn Chambers, the organization’s founder.
They also came up with the idea as a way to highlight hidden gems in the community.
“We wanted to support Black-owned businesses along the way, so we started at Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen in View Park, right up the street. We had about 80 people come out,” said Chambers.
February’s monthly Community Walk on Saturday started at SÜPRMARKT — an organic grocery store in South Central.
“I’ve grown up here my entire life, and I never realized it was a food desert until I got older and became vegan,” said Olympia Auset, the store’s owner. “I just feel that healthy food is a human right. Everybody deserves to eat healthy.”
Auset also acknowledged how access to healthy food is not just an issue in South Central but also in many major cities with urban centers.
About 250 people then walked the neighborhood and stopped at other small businesses along the way.
Black Events L.A. says the Community Walk introduces folks to new shops, restaurants and venues that they may otherwise have missed if they weren’t top of mind or if they were simply driving by the area.
“So often Black-owned businesses are forgotten about after February and after June and after August, and we want to make sure the support of Black businesses happens all year long,” said Chambers.
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