Destination Crenshaw’s groundbreaking saw more than 2,000 community residents, business owners and artists come together on February 29 to attend and commemorate a major funding milestone for the 1.3-mile-long outdoor cultural experience celebrating Black Los Angeles along Crenshaw Boulevard.
As we execute our vision and begin hiring local construction workers to break ground on Destination Crenshaw, this is a huge moment for so many of us here in South Los Angeles.
Many communities throughout the country are facing similar challenges of displacement and cultural erasure. After years of community meetings, all of our hard work and engagement has led to this pivotal juncture where we are able to celebrate our commitment to unapologetically preserving and uplifting Black Los Angeles.
At the event, Emmy-nominated actress Issa Rae presented and shared her pride in this project and led the crowd in a procession to the future site of Sankofa Park.
A lively cultural celebration followed throughout the entire afternoon, which included Black-owned food trucks and businesses, along with performances by Terrace Martin, the Inner City Youth Orchestra, Six Sev, Mayala, and Alex Isley.
Cultural experiences outdoors
Designed by international architecture and design firm Perkins and Will, Destination Crenshaw is an outdoor art and culture experience celebrating Black L.A.
The project, stretching along Crenshaw Blvd. from Leimert Blvd. to 60th St. and running parallel to a section of Los Angeles Metro’s upcoming Crenshaw/LAX light rail line, is designed to facilitate economic security and entrepreneurship for residents while doubling as an open-air experience celebrating the energy and accomplishments of Black L.A. through arts and culture.
Destination Crenshaw has been entirely driven by the community itself, and honors not just the neighborhood as a creative hub, but also Black L.A.’s impact on popular culture and social change.
Our role as architects is to translate, through design, the very real, very significant voices and energy of Black L.A.
Destination Crenshaw will transform sidewalks, business facades, public structures with permanent and rotating art installations, 10 pocket parks, culturally-themed street and landscaping improvements, including hundreds of new trees and much-needed green space.
The project documents and preserves more than 200 years of history of Black people in L.A., celebrating the community’s cultural identity and kicking off a community-driven, counterbalancing force against gentrification.
The project will also offer construction career opportunities for residents and is designed to support existing local businesses and provide artists from the area with a launchpad to start their careers.
Our work on Destination Crenshaw has always centered on the theme ‘Grow Where You’re Planted,’ which is inspired by African giant star grass.
Known to thrive in inhospitable environments, the grass reminds us of the history and resiliency of Black L.A., whose deep community roots have strengthened over the decades despite facing years of root shock.
The proposed makeover of the iconic Crenshaw Wall, including art restoration, wall stabilization, and the installation of a parklet, including signage, shade structures, and landscaping.
The 1.3-mile stretch includes four distinct nodes, serving as thematic design lenses to guide visitors throughout their experience as they walk along Crenshaw Blvd.
“Improvisation” at W Slauson Ave. will focus on the community’s resourcefulness, “Firsts” at 54th Street will honor past and present African-American pioneers, “Dreams” at 50th Street will celebrate the community’s ability to create space for itself and “Togetherness” at West Vernon Ave. will highlight the area’s significant cultural infrastructure.
The project culminates at Sankofa Park, an elevated outdoor plaza with views out onto Crenshaw Blvd and beyond, allowing visitors to reflect on their experience in the space.
Destination Crenshaw and Perkins and Will have been working for years with major figures in the Black L.A. community to ensure that community voices are incorporated into the project.
Project team members include Larry Earl, owner of 1619 Exhibits and former executive director at the Mayme A. Clayton Library and Museum and the Houston Museum of African American Culture; Issa Rae; the internationally-renowned artist, gardener and community activist Ron Finley.
The team also included deputy director and chief curator of the California African American Museum, Naima Keith; and the late hip-hop entrepreneur Nipsey Hussle. Other women and minority-owned firms Destination Crenshaw is working with include Studio MLA, AMPR Group, RAW International, Bridge Street, Terry A. Hayes and Associates, and Artemis Events Company.