On Jan. 31, Kwanza Jones and The Apollo kicked off their nationwide “Culture In Motion” roadshow in LA to celebrate creativity, art, and talent. It brings Apollo-inspired cultural programming and creative engagement, designed to meet communities where they are. “Culture In Motion” transforms local spaces into hubs of cultural exchange, creative expression, and empowerment, reflecting Southern California’s role as one of the world’s most influential creative ecosystems.
“This was not easy to do, but it was a joy in creating and laboring everything together for all of us to be here today celebrating Black culture, LA culture, and the history of the Apollo,” Jones said about the process of putting the roadshow together. “It’s for the people, especially with everything going on in our country; people need the arts, the creativity, and the hope and love that it brings.”
Southern California activations will span multiple communities across the region, highlighting the diversity of voices, histories, and creative energy that define Los Angeles and its surrounding cities. Each activation is rooted in “Culture In Motion’s” four programming pillars—arts access, community engagement, empowerment, and legacy—while remaining responsive to the spirit of each neighborhood.
“‘Culture In Motion’ is the quintessential expression of Kwanza Jones’ supercharged movement—elevating culture, expanding human potential, and uplifting humanity through investment that honors and sustains the heritage and traditions of arts institutions like The Apollo and communities such as Los Angeles,” said Robert Sausedo, President and CEO of Community Build, Inc. “By meeting people where they are, it transforms shared values into a civic asset that strengthens the creative economy.”
The Apollo is a cultural treasure. It is a vibrant nonprofit organization rooted in the Harlem community that engages people from around New York, the nation, and the world. Since 1934, the Apollo has celebrated, created, and presented work that centers Black artists and voices from across the African Diaspora. The Apollo has long championed community engagement, serving as both an incubator for artistic innovation and creativity and a catalyst for social and civic advocacy.
“For more than 90 years, The Apollo has been a place where culture, community, and possibility intersect—championing community engagement, nurturing generations of artists, and serving as a catalyst for social and civic advocacy,” said Michelle Ebanks, President and CEO of The Apollo. “With Culture In Motion, we’re expanding that legacy into new communities, beginning in Southern California, and opening fresh pathways for participation, creativity, and connection as we step into our next century.”