Nick Cannon’s LA Vegan Eatery to Host “Ode to Black Lives” Juneteenth Celebration 

On June 19, vegan eatery VTree Hollywood will host an “Ode to Black Lives” celebration in honor of Juneteenth—also known as “Freedom Day,” which marks the emancipation of remaining slaves in the United States at the end of the Civil War. Opened on April 30 inside the historic Yamashiro restaurant in the Hollywood Hills, VTree is a collaboration between rapper, actor, and television host Nick Cannon and chef Velvet Jacobs (known as “Chef Velvet”) who owns vegan restaurant VelTree in Charlotte, NC. The new eatery offers Southern-inspired dishes (served with a side of cornbread) such as seitan-based BBQ Ribz, Cajun Shrimp, African Peanut Stew, Krab Cakes, and Chic’N & Waffles.

For the social-distancing friendly celebration, the restaurant will offer its food for take out which guests can enjoy from 5pm to 8pm in the expansive Yamashiro parking lot while watching a live stream of the event. The event will feature musicians Chika, Mumu Fresh, April Sampe, and Ayanna Gregory—the daughter of late comedian, civil rights activist, and vegan icon Dick Gregory. “Celebrate Juneteenth with us, as we lift our voices in solidarity for justice and equality for Black lives,” the restaurant announced on Instagram.

The event will donate a portion of its proceeds to Our Own Life, an organization working to empower local communities with access to mental, physical, and emotional health support resources.