But the location was not chosen by accident: Rodeo Road winds through predominantly African-American enclaves like Baldwin Hills, Crenshaw, and Leimert Park, and is home to the Rancho Cienega Sports Center and Park, where the 44th president held a campaign rally in 2007. The area, known as an “iconic black community,” also has numerous major streets named after other presidents.
City Council President Herb Wesson, who proposed the name change, was quick to deflect such criticism.
"People wanted a longer street, but what I have said to the people, it's not about the length of the street, it's about the significance of the street, it is about what happened on that street," he said.
There’s also significance to the day that the renaming was announced.
The name change is set to be implemented and unveiled on Presidents’ Day 2019, the Los Angeles Times reports. Will everyone’s favorite mic-dropping president and first lady make an appearance? Wait and see. Wesson will only say that he is in “preliminary talks” with the Obamas with regard to that invitation.
While Obama Boulevard is not the first move to pay permanent tribute to the former president in the Golden State, it does have a very specific placement that will allow folks in Los Angeles (including this writer) to have a uniquely symbolic and surreal moment, beautifully described by state senator Holly J. Mitchell.
“I look forward to standing at the intersection of MLK Boulevard (formerly Santa Barbara Boulevard) and the newly minted Barack Obama Boulevard and raising my fist in cultural pride.”
That’s right, folks—Rodeo Road intersects King Boulevard. And in less than six months, the intersection of American hope and dreams will be the most significant (and beloved) intersection in Los Angeles.