Dr. Joy Simmons is a physician, collector, mentor, and cultural leader whose decades-long work has championed Black artistic voices in Los Angeles and beyond.

Raised in South LA’s Crenshaw District, Joy’s connection to the art world began early.  Her aunt served on the Studio Museum in Harlem board. After Stanford University and UCLA Medical School, she practiced as a radiologist for over three decades while building one of the most respected collections of contemporary art by African and African American creators.

Upon retiring from medicine, Joy dedicated herself fully to supporting institutions, mentoring emerging collectors, and shaping public art narratives. Many say it’s uncommon to find a Black Los Angeles artist who hasn’t been supported by her.

She has held leadership roles at MOCA, ICA LA, LAXART, Watts House Project, Santa Monica Museum of Art, The Mistake Room, and Venice Arts Mecca. Currently, Joy serves on the California African American Museum board (appointed by Governor Newsom) and contributes to the Smithsonian American Art Museum. At Destination Crenshaw, she oversees curators and designers guiding exhibitions and installations that activate the boulevard.