The Apollo's Michelle Ebanks: Leading an iconic institution | Rapid Response
About Michelle
- President & CEO of The Apollo, largest African-American performing arts center in the US
- Former CEO of Essence Communications, led Essence magazine, Essence.com, and Essence Festival
- Transformed Essence Festival into a global cultural event
- Raised $69M (2024) for the Apollo's capital campaign, enabling expansion and renovation
- Led Time Inc.'s acquisition of ESSENCE and held multiple executive roles at Condé Nast
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For over 90 years, countless iconic musicians have graced The Apollo Theatre in New York City, from James Brown and Aretha Franklin, to Drake and Bruno Mars. Today, the venue is expanding its footprint in the hopes of straddling in-person and digital engagement. The Apollo’s CEO Michelle Ebanks joins Rapid Response host Bob Safian to explore how she’s tapping into celebrity culture, operating a historically Black institution in the midst of a DEI backlash, and more. Whether it’s negotiating with Prince or proving a judgemental boardroom wrong, Michelle shares stories that illustrate the resilience and creativity we all need today.
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The Apollo’s Michelle Ebanks