Long Beach’s Black population is dwindling. This group aims to change that.
On the last Tuesday of each month, Black Long Beach residents gather at a local art gallery to discuss housing policies, build community and empower one another.
- Culture Honey
- July 20, 2023
- Georgia Sanders
The People’s Justice Festival, July 15, 2023
On a hot summer Saturday this past week, Black Lives Matter celebrated its tenth anniversary with a sprawling celebration in the Leimert Park Village, now called AfricaTown, in Central Los Angeles.
And does Black Lives Matter Grassroots know how to throw a party! With reportedly more than 5,000 people in attendance at the day’s peak, those gathered participated in 8 workshop spaces offering educational sessions and seminars, enjoyed live music and inspirational and empowering speakers on 2 stages, participated in community meet-ups and conversations and shopped at the many varied and unique food and vender booths. The day, as was envisioned, was a day of celebration of and recommitment to the movement.
According to the plans laid out by Black Lives Matter Grassroots co-founder Dr. Melina Abdullah, the festival was designed to include “a reunion of families, organizers, activists, artists, spiritualists, freedom fighters, and allies. It’s a reclamation of the soul of Black Lives Matter, a chance to build our skills and restore our Spirits.” The vision was fulfilled this past Saturday!
The Sparking of a Movement: Black Lives Matter
In the now more than a decade since 17-year-old Trayvon Martin was tragically shot and killed by a vigilante in South Florida, Trayvon’s mom, Sybrina Fulton, says the pain of his loss is with her every day, and her mothers tears are a constant part of her life.
Trayvon’s devastating death followed by the unimaginable acquittal handed down in the case against the vigilante George Zimmerman – who shot and killed the 17 year-old student as he was walking home from the local 7-Eleven store after purchasing Skittles and an Arizona Iced Tea – became the catalyst for passionate protests in Florida that spread throughout the country, ultimately spawning what has become a global movement: Black Lives Matter.
Sybrina Fulton, in the over ten years now since the death of her son, is sometimes referred to as the “mother of the movement”. Sybrina showed her support for the movement and joined in the celebration in AfricaTown last weekend – and Journalist James Farr spoke to her during the festivities:
Sybrina Fulton
“…LA owes me nothing!! Black Lives Matter was created because of the unfavorable verdict pertaining to Trayvon Martin ~ Well, BLM turned 10 years old & I was there.”
~ Sybrina Fulton via Twitter
Broadcasting LIVE all day, in addition to KBLA, was Pasadena’s own Conversation Live with James Farr. In fact, Conversation Live had a whole team with them on hand to be sure the interviews ran smoothly and everyone had access to the event, even if remotely!
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