Community Workshop Uses Art and Nature to Remember  South LA Victims of Serial Murders

Leimert Park, Los Angeles — On a bright, hot, and sunny Sunday afternoon, community members gathered in the heart of Leimert Park for a ceremonial workshop centered on healing, remembrance, and art. The event, held February 22, invited participants to reflect on the lives of more than 200 Black women from South Los Angeles who were murdered or remain missing and are presumed to be victims of serial violence.

The workshop, titled “The Healing Power of Art & Nature,” was organized by Reclaiming Our Sisters Everywhere South LA (ROSE SLA) in collaboration with KAOS Network and LA Commons as part of Black History Month programming during the Leimert Park Art Walk.

Led by ceremonial artist Thalia Carmona, the gathering centered around a hands-on activity where participants created crowns of remembrance—floral and nature-inspired headpieces meant to honor the women whose lives were lost. Art materials were provided, and participants were encouraged to take their completed crowns home as a symbol of reflection and remembrance.

The afternoon was filled with families, artists, elders, and young people drawn by the opportunity to participate in a creative act of collective healing. The sunny weather and open-air setting added to the welcoming atmosphere, as people worked side by side on their crowns, shared stories, and reflected on the importance of honoring the lives of women too often forgotten.

The event also featured an African drum circle, whose rhythmic beats echoed through Leimert Park and drew many passersby into the gathering. As the drumming intensified, participants and visitors alike joined in dancing, turning the afternoon into a vibrant expression of remembrance, resilience, and community connection.

“This was about remembering  the women whose lives were taken by serial murderers in South LA and those who are still missing,” said Margaret Prescod, founder of the Black Coalition Fighting Back Serial Murders and a longtime advocate for justice for the victims. “Art and ceremony allow us to remember them not only through grief, but through community, creativity, and the power of gathering together.”

 Children  were also part of the day’s activities. The children’s activities allowed younger participants to engage with art while learning about the importance of community remembrance and honoring history.

The event featured an atmosphere that balanced reflection with celebration of community life. Spanish interpretation was also available to ensure broader participation from neighborhood residents.

KAOS Network, a longtime multimedia arts and training center collaborating with ROSE SLA and LA Commons, reflects a shared commitment to using public art and community engagement as tools for storytelling, healing, and historical recognition.

For many who attended, the workshop offered a powerful reminder that remembrance can take many forms—and that healing often begins with community coming together in shared purpose.

As participants placed flowers, greenery, and ribbons into their crowns while drums echoed through the park, the message of the afternoon was clear: these women will not be forgotten.

For more information the Black Coalition Fighting Back Serial Murders and ROSE South LA, click here.