A partnership with L.A. Metro promotes cultural tourism and transit.
By Cynthia Gibson
Metro bus and train routes are designed to maximize efficiency, transporting the highest number of riders within a mile of their destinations. But how do riders traverse that final mile to arrive directly at their doorsteps?
For those within an eight-mile radius of Leimert Park, the Sankofa City Shuttle provides the answer. This fleet of three 5-passenger electric shuttles operates similarly to popular rideshare services like Uber or Lyft through an app called Ride Circuit. Riders can register with Ride Circuit, select Leimert Park, and arrange a free shuttle pick-up.
The Sankofa City Shuttle is an integral part of Metro’s Cultural Economic Tourism Plan for Leimert Park. Metro awarded Leimert Park Village, Inc. a Visionary Seed Fund Grant to enhance cultural tourism by providing seamless transportation options for visitors. By integrating the shuttle service with the Metro system, tourists can easily access local attractions, performances, and events that showcase the rich cultural heritage of the community. This initiative promotes local artists, cultural experiences, and attracts both domestic and international visitors seeking authentic Black cultural experiences.
“Sankofa City Shuttle allows us to capitalize on the cultural and entrepreneurial spirit of Leimert Park,” said Michelle Banks-Ordone, Senior Director of Transit-Oriented Communities. “It encourages movement throughout the community, connecting riders to micro-entrepreneurs on the K Line platform and small businesses across the area.”
Leimert Park Village, Inc. board member and thought leader Sherri Franklin leads the development and implementation of a Micro Entrepreneur and Metro Leimert Park Station Activation Plan, which includes the Sankofa City Shuttle program. The Visionary Seed Fund Grant also supports Metro stations at Westlake MacArthur Park and Willowbrook Rosa Parks.
“I grew up in and around Leimert Park and consider it the epicenter of African American culture in Los Angeles. Its history needs to be preserved and shared, and the Sankofa City Shuttle plays a major role in that effort,” Franklin said. “I’m thrilled to partner with Metro on this pilot project to prevent displacement, boost transit ridership, and foster cultural tourism.”
The Sankofa City Shuttle is the brainchild of long-time Leimert Park resident, filmmaker, educator, and community activist Ben Caldwell. Caldwell, the owner of Kaos Network in Leimert Park Village, established the intergenerational media hub in 1984.
In Ghana, Sankofa means “go back and get it.” It symbolizes learning from the past to inform the future, reaching back to move forward, and lifting others as we climb.
“We’re using old-school ideas and concepts with new-school tools and technology,” said Caldwell. “It’s about repurposing and modernizing technology to serve our community.”
Kaos Network also hosts workshops on developing rideshare apps. Caldwell envisions the Sankofa City Shuttle eventually operating on its own independent platform.
“Our goal is to create a transportation system that reflects our unique cultural identity—just like Black music distinguishes itself from the Western world,” Caldwell explained. “When you ride the shuttle, you’ll know you’re in a funky, good space.”
Designed at the ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena by a retrofuturist engineer from Caldwell’s team, the Sankofa City Shuttle currently operates within the boundaries of Jefferson Boulevard to the north, Hyde Park to the south, La Brea Avenue to the west, and Western Avenue to the east. By 2028, the service area is projected to expand from La Cienega Boulevard to Figueroa Street, with the goal of increasing the fleet to meet community demand.
According to Caldwell, the public has warmly embraced the Sankofa City Shuttle. “The neighborhood rides in it like they're VIPs. You can see the pride and happiness on their faces.”
The shuttle program was made possible by a $1.5 million grant from Clean Mobility Options (CMO). The CMO Pilot Program funds clean mobility projects and community transportation needs assessments, aiming to establish sustainable, community-driven transportation systems.
One of the long-term goals for the Sankofa City Shuttle is financial independence through innovative advertising and virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) experiences. Vehicle wraps provide local businesses with advertising opportunities, while VR/AR technology enhances the user experience and promotes local culture. By capitalizing on hyper-local advertising, the initiative aims to create a self-sustaining digital ecosystem controlled by the community, reducing reliance on external funding.
The Sankofa City Shuttle operates Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. For more information, download the Ride Circuit app or visit ridecircuit.com/leimert-park.
