The Non-Profit Organization
Destination Crenshaw is more than a public art and infrastructure project, it’s a long-term investment in community, culture, and sustainability.
The Destination Crenshaw non-profit organization was born directly out of community engagement, a response to a question residents asked from the very beginning: Who will take care of it?
Created as a promise to ensure lasting stewardship, the non-profit exists to maintain and activate the corridor — preserving the art, caring for the spaces, and keeping Crenshaw’s story alive for generations to come. It serves as the operational backbone of the project, overseeing public art conservation, parks and corridor maintenance, exhibitions, and legacy business support.
But its mission reaches further. The non-profit creates real opportunities for South LA, opening doors for artists, cultural workers, entrepreneurs, and conservationists to build careers, sustain creativity, and grow within their own community. Guided by an experienced Board of Directors and a dedicated staff team, Destination Crenshaw’s non-profit ensures this historic corridor remains a living, evolving celebration of Black Los Angeles, cared for by the very people who built it.
Economic Development
DC Thrive champions self-determination and builds a strong economic ecosystem in the Crenshaw District. The program supports legacy businesses, provides grant and façade improvement assistance, and invests in capacity building. During construction, DC Thrive is also leading workforce development and recruiting residents into union construction careers.
Art Commissions
The Arts Program is cultivating a local pipeline of Black Los Angeles artists into the creative economy. It is commissioning over 100 artists for murals, exhibitions, and events that celebrate and reflect the Crenshaw community.
Operations & Maintenance
Destination Crenshaw’s Art Conservation program preserves every monument, sculpture, and mural along the corridor with expert care. Backed by The Getty Foundation, it trains local residents to become certified Collection Care Specialists: highly skilled professionals in art conservation, landscaping, and street maintenance.
Building legacy from the ground up, by the community, for the community.
GOVERNING BOARD
Board Chair
Treasurer
Board Member
Board Member
Destination Crenshaw non-profit Staff
About the CEO
Jason Foster | President & CEO, Destination Crenshaw | Full Bio
At the forefront of Destination Crenshaw’s operations is Jason Foster, a leader who blends financial expertise with a deep commitment to community-driven development. As President and CEO, he oversees the organization’s administration, construction efforts, and finances, ensuring that every investment strengthens both the project and the neighborhood it serves.
With a background in finance, civic partnerships, and affordable housing, Jason has built the systems and strategy that turn vision into action. Under his leadership, Destination Crenshaw is transforming from an ambitious idea into a sustainable cultural landmark for Los Angeles.
Terrii Young
Sr. Operations Manager
Heather Heslup
Director of Public Art Programs
Breaunna Alston
Communications and Marketing Specialist
Asemayet Zekaryas
Program Associate
What’s Happening
Crenshaw Gift Guide ’24
Destination Crenshaw Featured in Alta Magazine
SOUTH LA’S ICONIC CRENSHAW WALL TO RECEIVE A LONG-AWAITED RENOVATION AND NEW MURAL
Call for artists
Call for Black Artists in
Los Angeles
To build this project, we need YOU and your talent to accomplish our goal.
We are looking for talent living in Black LA who create within various mediums, including murals, sculpture, illustration, creative writing, performance, and culturally stamped infrastructure for permanent and temporary installations in the corridor.
Some projects include:
- Community Murals
- Exhibition Design & Storytelling
- Artist Showcases
- Creative Economy Pathways
- Collections C.A.R.E
If you or someone you know is a talent living in Black LA who would be a good fit for the project, please submit your qualifications below.
Construction Careers
The Destination Crenshaw project will create new sidewalks, 30,000 new square feet of landscaping, six pocket parks, 800+ trees, and culturally stamped street furniture (including outdoor seating, shade structures, bicycle racks, and wayfinding signage).
Click here to learn more about opportunities for you to work with the DC construction team to revitalize the Crenshaw corridor.
Be a part of the movement.