Rock the Block LA Drops the Beat for Community and Culture – Los Angeles Sentinel

Veteran actor Kareem Grimes and rising entertainer Heaven Ava introduced charisma and star energy to the stage as they co-emceed the Rock the Block LA program, conserving the power excessive and the group engaged all through the day. (Billy Montgomery/L.A. Sentinel)

The streets of South Los Angeles pulsed with objective and rhythm Sunday as White Corridor Arts Academy (WHAA) remodeled a stretch of 54th Avenue right into a full-fledged symphony of sound, creativity and group. The third annual Rock the Block LA competition lived as much as its title—turning a quiet Sunday right into a sonic increase of celebration, youth empowerment and cultural delight.

From Third to Seventh Avenue, the guts of the Crenshaw District skilled the unmistakable power of a group united in pleasure and dedication. Described by organizers as “a vibrant, family-friendly celebration of tradition, creativity and group,” this yr’s competition struck a deeper chord—honoring progress and improvement and recognizing the legacy of a hometown musical hero.

Main Milestones and Musical Heroes

At heart stage—each actually and symbolically—was the inaugural commencement of the Soundworks program, White Corridor’s pioneering workforce improvement initiative. The primary class of scholars walked throughout the primary stage, cheered on by neighbors and mentors alike. Educated in music manufacturing, reside occasion tech and the ins and outs of the leisure trade, these younger graduates proved that the subsequent wave of trade professionals can rise proper from South LA’s streets.

Taia Mimms is all smiles as she celebrates her commencement from the Soundworks program. She’s joined by White Corridor Arts Academy founder Tanisha Corridor (left) and Decide Songhai Armstead, who helped honor the achievements of the inaugural class. (Billy Montgomery/L.A. Sentinel)

“This graduating group is particular for thus many causes, however one of the vital necessary is to grasp the ability of God’s timing,” mentioned WHAA founder Tanisha Corridor, noting that the group has raised $1 million since final yr’s occasion.

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White Corridor Arts Academy Celebrates Arts and Training with Rock the Block Competition

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Congressional Help Joins the Refrain

Amongst those that joined the celebration was Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.), who attended the occasion to talk straight in regards to the significance of community-centered arts programming.

“The reality is, arts programming in prisons has led to an 89 p.c drop in infractions. The reality is that low-income college students engaged within the arts are 5 instances much less prone to drop out of faculty,” she mentioned. “The humanities matter. The humanities save. The humanities can heal. The humanities can make use of.”

Gary Tucker proudly celebrates his commencement from the Soundworks workforce improvement program. He’s joined by White Corridor Arts Academy founder Tanisha Corridor (left) and Decide Songhai Armstead, who helped commemorate the achievements of the inaugural cohort. (Billy Montgomery/L.A. Sentinel)

Her workplace has supported initiatives that broaden entry to arts training and workforce coaching in traditionally under-resourced areas—making her look greater than ceremonial.

Including a crescendo to the day’s excessive notes was the presentation of the 2025 Lifetime Changemaker Award to Grammy-winning artist and Inglewood native James Fauntleroy. Identified for crafting chart-topping hits for Beyoncé, Bruno Mars and others, Fauntleroy was honored not only for his musical achievements however for his dedication to uplifting Black communities via mentorship and inventive fairness.

Actor Kareem Grimes, greatest recognized for his function as Preach within the hit sequence All American, was available to assist the occasion as a co-host. He additionally careworn the significance of staying related to the group he grew up in.

“White Corridor takes youth who’ve confronted life challenges and provides them redemption via the humanities. I assist that initiative, and other people have to know the world I’m from is a gold mine for expertise,” Grimes mentioned.

Tanisha Corridor, founding father of White Corridor Arts Academy, presents the 2025 Lifetime Changemaker Award to Grammy-winning artist James Fauntleroy in recognition of his international musical contributions and unwavering dedication to uplifting Black communities. (Billy Montgomery/L.A. Sentinel)

A Household-Pleasant Block Occasion with Objective

Whereas music blared and beats dropped, the house got here alive with a Children Zone stuffed with bounce homes, horse rides and interactive artwork.

L.A. native Keisha Woods, attending along with her grandson Wendell Jefferson, mentioned the occasion was a much-needed pause to get folks again in tune.

“This places one thing constructive in adults’ and youngsters’ minds. It’s nice to see all people come collectively and have time regardless of every thing occurring on this planet,” Woods mentioned.

Meals vans served up a tantalizing assortment of flavors. In between bites, attendees stopped by cubicles providing a spread of companies—from psychological well being sources to job alternatives.

“These occasions are good as a result of lots of people don’t know organizations exist to assist them,” mentioned Tamekia Strayhorn, founding father of the Right here to Assist Basis.

What made the occasion particular wasn’t simply the lineup or the meals—it was the plain feeling that one thing larger was being orchestrated. Rock the Block LA isn’t simply leisure—it’s infrastructure. It’s mentorship in movement. It’s a reminder that Crenshaw isn’t just a backdrop for tales of battle however a stage for celebration and innovation.

Concerning the writer: Billy Montgomery is a Los Angeles-based photojournalist and educator who captures tales with coronary heart, depth and a pointy eye for cultural moments that matter. IG: @photojournalistbilly

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