Spirit Awakening Foundation (SAF) has announced its 30th Anniversary Legacy of Love celebration, “Voices of the Unheard,” taking place on Friday, October 3, 2025, at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. with a pre-show reception, 7 p.m. dinner, and 8:30 p.m. performance.
Akuyoe Graham is the founder and CEO of Spirit Awakening, a nonprofit arts-based organization founded in 1995, dedicated to helping young people discover their spiritual identity through creative expression.
“We are celebrating 30 years of doing good,” said Graham. “To me, the celebration is about celebrating our legacy, which is love, love in action as an organization.”
“Voices of the Unheard” is an annual theatrical performance fundraiser that showcases the written and spoken word of child detainees in the juvenile justice system.
This year’s event features spoken word, poetry, song, dance, and storytelling, showcasing the unfiltered voices of vulnerable individuals.
“We were one of the first to recognize that our young ones who were and are incarcerated were traumatized,” Graham said. “We recognized that the healing arts were needed. Thirty years ago, the system didn’t offer yoga or meditation – we did. The arts can heal and transform. Writing, acting, and singing all have the potential to heal. We knew writing would be cathartic. The arts can make a significant difference in the lives of young people.”
Spirit Awakening Foundation (SAF), founded in 1995, is a nonprofit arts-based organization dedicated to helping young people discover their spiritual identity through creative expression.
With a mission to build character and raise self-esteem, one child at a time, SAF has served over 10,000 incarcerated and underserved youth throughout LA County’s juvenile facilities and schools.
The foundation believes that art is influential and can entertain, heal, transform, and inspire; therefore, artistic expression is a powerful means of uncovering and healing from traumatic experiences.
With the use of meditation/mindfulness practices, creative writing, visual arts, music, role-play, conflict resolution, and dramatic improvisation, we support abused, neglected, and underserved youth and young adults in realizing their value, self-worth, and dignity.
As part of the ‘Voices of the Unheard’ celebration, some formerly incarcerated Spirit Awakening participants will present their original writings.
The evening will also include several proclamation presentations.
Event speakers include Dr. Michael Beckwith of Agape International Spiritual Center, Spirit Awakening Committee Chair Lynn Kitchen, former California Wellness Foundation President and CEO Judy Belk, Gina Morris of EDL Northwest, and Tracy Romulus, Chief Brand Officer – KKW Brands (KKW Beauty, Skims, and KKW Fragrance).
Celebrity supporters expected to be in attendance include actors Gary Dourdan (‘CSI: Criminal Scene Investigation,’ ‘Albany Road’), Frances Fisher (‘Titanic,’ ‘Unforgiven’), and Debra Wilson (‘Cobweb,’ ‘Batman: The Enemy Within’).
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What: Spirit Awakening Foundation ‘Voices of the Unheard’
The Spirit Awakening Foundation (SAF) has announced its 30th Anniversary Legacy of Love celebration, “Voices of the Unheard,” scheduled for Friday, October 3, 2025, at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles.
Where: Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90049.
When: Friday, October 3, 2025
Tickets: Prices are $150.
Online: www.spiritawakening.org
Phone: 866 456-8002
Tickets: $150. Tickets for the event are available for purchase, with proceeds supporting Spirit Awakening Foundation’s art-based programming, mentorship, career counseling, and financial aid services for underserved youth.
Spirit Awakening 30th Anniversary Celebration, Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90049. www.spiritawakening.org, info@spiritawakening.org 866 456-8002
Website – http://www.spiritawakening.org
Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/SpiritAwakeningFoundation
Instagram – thespiritawakening
