The Natural History Museum launched a new initiative, “Kneaded: L.A. Bread Stories,” a multimedia series that highlights L.A.’s history of breadmaking, which will run throughout the year. Each month from February through November, NHM will release videos, stories and photo essays featuring L.A.’s diverse bakers and community builders as they share the stories and meaning behind their delicious breads.

LA County Board of Supervisors Chair Holly J. Mitchell said, “Kneaded L.A. spotlights the diverse communities that make our city such a vibrant and interesting place to live. Learning more about the bakers and traditions behind each piece of delicious bread makes every bite more enjoyable and deepens our connections to the small businesses and people in our neighborhoods.”

February’s featured baker was Marlene Beckford, famous for her Jamaican Fry Dumplings from Leimert Park’s Ackee Bamboo Jamaican Cuisine. This month spotlights Justine Hernandez of Frogtown’s vegan bakery, Just What I Kneaded, and her delicious cinnamon rolls. Other spotlights include bakers from mini-malls to pop-up restaurants, food trucks and corner bakeries. All of the bakers have in common their passion for making breads and bringing their community together.

NHM’s website features a visual story map that highlights all the bakers and bakeries mentioned throughout the series. The museum also encourages the community to share their bread stories by interacting with NHM on social media with #KneadedLA.

For more bread stories and where to find L.A.’s bread makers, visit nhm.org/kneadedla