Dubbed the “Black Greenwich Village” by the late filmmaker John Singleton, the historic neighborhood of Leimert Park is widely regarded as the cultural hub for African Americans in LA. Leimert Park was the brainchild of developer Walter H. Leimert, who began the subdivision business center project in 1928.
One of the first planned communities in Southern California designed for upper and middle class families, Leimert Park was considered a model of urban planning – car traffic near schools and churches was minimized, utility wires were buried or hidden from view, and trees lined the streets.
Potential homeowners were attracted by the community’s state-of-the-art design features and meticulously manicured lots. Over the following decades, the 230-acre plot of land grew more diverse and became known for its hip-hop scene, poetry jam nights and authentic Afro-Caribbean cuisine. Famous Leimert Park residents include legendary musicians Ella Fitzgerald and Ray Charles, and former LA Mayor Tom Bradley. (source: discoverlosangeles.com)