Although the annual festival did not take place this year, the Leimert Park merchants hosted a Juneteenth celebration Wednesday.
Although the annual festival did not take place this year, the Leimert Park merchants hosted a celebration Wednesday, and the Leonard family plans to keep their tradition going.AyEsha Leonard McLaughlin and Ariyana Leonard are carrying on the Juneteenth tradition their father, Jonathan Leonard, and family brought to Southern California decades ago.
Although the annual festival did not take place this year, the Leimert Park merchants hosted a celebration Wednesday, and the Leonard family plans to keep their tradition going for generations to come."The day that General Gordon Granger came to Galveston, Texas, to announce that the enslaved people were emancipated," explained Ariyana Leonard.
"We also serve watermelon, which represents the traditional African colors. It was also a survival food for our ancestors who chose to seek freedom through escaping," she said. "I get emotional talking about him, but I think the understanding where you came from and know where you're going."
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