Los Angeles has a wealth of history that black seniors will appreciate. Make it a point to plan activities that are senior-friendly in cost, accessibility, culture and history. Take advantage of events and venues that offer senior discounts on admission prices, special matinees and early dining hours. Call ahead to inquiry about special rates and services for seniors. Maximize your budget and your "senior power" to experience Los Angeles from an African-American perspective.
Tour L.A.'s Historic Baldwin Hills Area
Discover the area that was once called the "Black Beverly Hills" and home to celebrities like Ray Charles and Nat King Cole. Today, many black professionals live in the Baldwin Hills area and keep the homes and grounds in the same meticulous condition of the area's "glory days." The area is bounded by La Cienega Boulevard to the west, Crenshaw Boulevard to the east, Slauson Avenue to the south and Rodeo Road to the north. If you know an LA native, ask them to give you a tour by car. If not, you can hire a professional tour guide at Take My Mother Please.com or LATours.us. If you have time for a bite, visit Magic Johnson's TGI Friday's in the Crenshaw District on La Tijera Boulevard.
Engage In An African Dining Experience
Explore the tastes of Nigeria at the popular Nkechi African Café in Inglewood, which is another historic African-American neighborhood. The café is wheelchair accessible and has comfortable seating for seniors. Try new tastes like palm juice, mixed meat with Joloff rice and sample the egousi soup made with melon seeds. The experience is sure to send you away with stories to share. You might even discover a food connection between the types of foods served in Nigeria and those of southern-based soul food and Creole dishes.
Worship With FAME on Sunday Morning
The First African Methodist Episcopal Church (FAME) is the oldest black church in Los Angeles. Founded in 1872, FAME now has over 19,000 members, dozens of ministries, and well-recognized community and business ventures throughout Los Angeles. The motto is "First to Serve," and the church follows the principles and practices of Richard Allen, known as the father of the American Methodist Episcopal denomination in 1787. The FAME website offers directions and worship hours.
View the History of the African-American West
Visit the California African American Museum to view the "African American Journey West," which is one of the museum's permanent exhibits. The exhibit is one of the first of its kind. As described by the museum, "The exhibition chronicles the African-American journey from the West Coast of Africa to the West Coast of America." The collection of artifacts and memorabilia pay homage to the contributions made by African-American pioneers to help shape and establish America's great Western frontier.
Get Listings of Current Entertainment and Events
Make the BlackNLA.com a source to find out what will be going on in the area at any time of the year. The site has a calendar of everything from theatrical performances to films and book signings, art exhibits to a directory of black-owned businesses. The site will also list important information about venues such as discounts for seniors, wheelchair access and senior-focused events.
