Daily Inspiration: Meet Janae Green

Today we’d like to introduce you to Janae Green.

Hi Janae , can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My name is Janae Green, and I am the founder and operator of A Great Day in South LA, a Black-owned, woman-owned cultural tourism company that has been operating in South Los Angeles since 2023.

I am originally from Chicago, but I have called Los Angeles home for nearly 12 years. South LA, specifically, is my neighborhood. Every morning when I walk out my door, I am surrounded by beauty, culture, and history that often goes unnoticed or misrepresented. I started A Great Day in South LA because I wanted to challenge the single-story narrative about this community and replace it with depth, pride, and historical truth.

Our tours take guests on a culturally immersive journey through Los Angeles history, beginning in 1781 when 26 of the 44 original pobladores of the city were of Afro-Mexican descent. From there, we explore the legacy of Central Avenue’s jazz era and Black enterprise from the early 1900s through the 1950s, the cultural impact of Leimert Park, the entrepreneurial spirit of Hyde Park, the pride of Watts, the historic homes of View Park, and the powerful legacy of Sugar Hill in West Adams.

What started as an idea rooted in love for my neighborhood has grown into something deeply meaningful. Since launching, we have welcomed over 300 guests and counting. It has been an enriching experience to help people see South Los Angeles not as a headline, but as a living archive of innovation, artistry, and resilience.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Launching a business is never a smooth road. It is exciting, but it is also scary. From navigating compliance and permits to figuring out capital and operations, I have been carrying the weight of this company since day one. Building something from scratch requires resilience, faith, and a willingness to learn quickly.

On a personal level, I also had to overcome stage fright. I am equal parts extrovert and introvert, but I naturally lean more introverted. Leading tours means stepping into an entertainer’s role. You are holding people’s attention, guiding them through heavy and complex history, and making sure the material is accurate, engaging, and meaningful. That balance took time and practice.

I also wrestled with imposter syndrome, especially during the early stages of launching the company. I am originally from Chicago, and I questioned whether I had the right to tell South LA’s story. What changed everything was interviewing longtime residents and listening deeply to their lived experiences. Those conversations grounded me. They reminded me that history belongs to the community, and my role is to steward it responsibly.

In some ways, being an outsider sharpened my perspective. I noticed details that were hiding in plain sight and felt compelled to amplify them. Over time, what started as uncertainty transformed into a deep sense of connection. South LA is my home, and I feel honored to help carry its stories forward.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I often say I wear many hats, but they are all rooted in one mission: telling Black stories with depth, care, and intention.

Professionally, I am a film producer with experience producing independent short films as well as working in studio environments in production management roles. I have worked on both the studio side and the freelance production side, which has given me a strong understanding of both the creative and operational sides of storytelling. I know how to take an idea and shepherd it from concept to completion.

I am also a historian and cultural storyteller. In addition to founding A Great Day in South LA, I co-founded Our Heritage Outside, a history platform dedicated to exploring Black history across all 63 U.S. National Parks. Both ventures are rooted in reclaiming narratives and amplifying stories that have often been overlooked or misunderstood.

Creatively, I am expanding into photography and experimental public art. I am currently working toward publishing my first photography book focused on South Los Angeles, and I am developing outdoor projection work designed to amplify local South LA artists and tastemakers in public spaces. I am deeply interested in how art can transform neighborhoods, shift perception, and create collective memory.

Most recently, I completed my first fiction novel, Pages from the Green Book, which I co-wrote with my writing partner Aileen Natalia. The book is currently being pitched to editors. Writing it was a milestone moment because it merges my love of history with narrative storytelling in a way that feels deeply personal and purposeful.

What sets me apart is that all of my work is interconnected. I am not just documenting history. I am producing it, curating it, writing it, teaching it, and creating platforms for others to share it. Whether through tours, film, literature, photography, public art, or live events, the throughline is the same. I want to tell Black stories with integrity and lift up artists in meaningful ways.

I am most proud that these paths are beginning to converge in a way that feels aligned and intentional.

And none of it would be possible without my family back on the Southside of Chicago. They live simple, honest lives, but their strength, love, and integrity shaped me in profound ways. I feel deeply empowered by them to tell Black history and carry the flame forward. My great grandfather migrated to Chicago from Georgia and he probably didn’t intend for me to repeat his story every other day in my life. Even from across the country, I feel spiritually connected to my folks. They built lives rooted in love and resilience. Their sacrifices and values live inside the work. I carry them with me in California. They are my foundation of why I do what I do.

How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Please reach out to me at heyfriend@agreatdayinsouthla.com, I love a good Collab!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.agreatdayinsouthla.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agreatdayinsouthla

Image Credits
Images Courtesy of A Great Day in South LA and Janae Green