Art has a way of bringing people together and on Saturday, March 29, “Black Art Matters: The Pop Up” will host “Pop Out For Dena,” an art and music benefit for survivors of the devastating Eaton fire in Altadena.
The event, held from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 3170 E. 11th St. in Los Angeles, will feature a plethora of performances including a choir and Black community legends, vendors selling food, art, other handmade goods, and more.
Altadena, one of the most diverse communities in L.A. County, is known for having a significant number of affluent Black residents. Located just north of Pasadena, the unincorporated area has been home to many notable Black professionals and creatives such as Octavia Butler, Sidney Poitier, and more.
Another creative hailing from Altadena is Chasity Londyn, the founder of Black Art Matters. Her family migrated from Albany, Georgia generations ago, and has been rooted in the Pasadena/Altadena area ever since.
“I’ve lived here my whole life, and so many of my loved ones lost their homes,” she stated. “The church I grew up in burned to the ground. It’s been devastating to see. Many of our families had multiple homes because we’ve been in this community for generations, and now, it’s just gone. This isn’t just a fundraiser for me; this is really my home.”
Londyn, who describes herself as being a writer and storyteller, has always had an interest in the arts, calling it her escape, voice, and safe place. Whether it was drawing, painting, or writing, art was her creative outlet. She was selectively shy, but whenever she was creating, she felt in her element. Her natural love for creativity is what led her where she is today.
She had already built a name for herself in L.A. with an underground music festival and wanted to create something specifically for Black artists and the community. Since art has always been close to her heart, she felt the Black community needed more spaces that truly celebrated and uplifted Black creatives.
“I wanted to build something where Black artists could thrive, where we could come together, connect, and create opportunities for each other,” she emphasized.
“Black Art Matters: The Pop Up” was initially an event page on Facebook, and to her surprise, it went viral. The first show was in Brooklyn, New York and had a line stretching around the block. She knew she had started something very special, and from there, she fell in love with New York and decided to make Black Art Matters a bi-coastal experience, touring city to city.
Being that Altadena is home for Londyn, when the Eaton fire transpired, Londyn broke down crying.
“The weight of everything was so heavy,” she recalled. “One of my close friends was trying to lift my spirits and said, ‘You have the platform, and you know the people affected, maybe you should organize something.’
“That seed was planted, and from there, we took action. I couldn’t just sit back and do nothing. This is my community. These are my people. I knew we had to step up and make something happen.”
All of the vendors for “Pop Out For Dena” are donating 50% of their proceeds. Black Art Matters has also partnered with 501c3 nonprofit Mixed Behavior Foundation to ensure the funds go directly to the families who have reached out to them.
“We’ll be cutting checks directly in their names, so there’s no middleman; it’s straight to the people who need it most,” Londyn confirmed. “That includes ticket sales, and any other donations made that day.”
The most rewarding part of this entire process for Londyn so far has been giving back and working with the community to build something meaningful. She told the Sentinel that seeing people come together for a cause bigger than themselves is powerful.
“Being able to bring light to such a hard situation and make a real difference is something I’ll always be grateful for,” she expressed.
Londyn concluded with, “I just want to send out inspiration to anyone who needs it. You’re not alone. God got us, and He has the final say in everything. We are one, and until we truly understand that we don’t have much. We’re stronger together, let’s never forget that.”
Black Art Matters tours every year. The first date for this year’s tour kicks off in June in Oakland, CA. From there, they will head to Atlanta, GA.
Those who are unable to attend “Pop Out For Dena” can lend support by purchasing a ticket or making a donation directly underneath the ticket option. This can be found by visiting blackartmattersthepopup.com and clicking POP OUT 4 DENA 3/29 at the top right of the site.
Black Art Matters can be found on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/blackartmatterss/
Visit their website at https://www.blackartmattersthepopup.com/
