The 2023 Get Lit Gala shone brightly at the Skirball Cultural Center on December 2 in a dazzling celebration of artistry, impact, and creativity. The annual event highlighted the Los Angeles-based education nonprofit Get Lit- Words Ignite. The gala illuminated the power of words to mobilize youth and energize communities through poetry and visual media.
Tiffany Snow [Everything I Did Wrong in My 20s] hosted the evening, introducing esteemed guests and a special showcase of Get Lit poets. The evening was headlined by 8-time GRAMMY winner, producer, songwriter, artist, and director Anderson .Paak. Vans and WME were also honored for their initiatives with Get Lit.
.Paak’s musical journey, marked by hits like “Lockdown” and the Silk Sonic collaboration with Bruno Mars, was celebrated with the IGNITE ARTIST Award. Diane Luby Lane, the Founder of Get Lit, expressed gratitude, stating, “The determination with which he pursues his unique creative vision and the way he has personally navigated through revolution and evolution serve as an inspiration to every young person who enters the doors of Get Lit.”
.Paak founded the Brandon Anderson Foundation, an organization dedicated to uplifting communities through arts, education, and unique experiences. Get Lit has now partnered with .Paak House, launching the Get Lit Creative Lab to provide hands-on artistic experience for LA’s young talents. The “Come Down” singer spoke about the evening’s honor with Hollywood First Look on the red carpet. “It feels amazing that people are recognizing stuff that you put a lot of work and time in, and they’re saying that it’s important and making you feel seen and saying keep going. This is inspiring generations to come, so it’s humbling.” .Paak credits his family for his inspiration. “Growing up in my house, my mom, my sisters, the music they listened to, like Earth, Wind & Fire, Stevie Wonder, Prince, and Michael Jackson, was the early inspiration. But it still comes back to my family.”
In addition to .Paak’s honor, the gala recognized WME and Vans as Ignite Award Honorees. WME, a leading talent agency, has been a consistent supporter of Get Lit, offering opportunities for youth and unwavering support for social impact-related activities. Vans, the iconic footwear brand, has generously supported Get Lit, contributing to events like the Why I Rise Mental Health competition and uplifting the voices of young poets.
Get Lit’s mission goes beyond poetry, igniting confidence and promoting literacy through free programming and Spoken Word-powered curricula. The gala’s proceeds will underwrite Get Lit’s award-winning literacy curricula for thousands of Los Angeles County students, providing creative opportunities for expression. Superintendent Alberto Carvalho was on hand to speak.
The evening featured mesmerizing performances, including original works by Angélica María (poet) and Salome Agbaroji (National Youth Poet Laureate). Laurie Kurnick, Manager of Education, introduced young poets, and Mason Granger, Deputy Director at Get Lit, highlighted the support received, including a $20,000 pledge from the Canet Foundation. That amount was matched, and .Paak donated $5,000 to adopt a school.
Also in attendance were Geffri Maya (Get Lit Board Member and All American), Daniel Ezra (All American), Michael Evans Behling (All American), and Terayle Hill (Judas and the Black Messiah). Brittani Nichols, writer for Abbott Elementary, shared her experience with Get Lit, emphasizing the importance of after-school programs. “I remember not having anywhere to go after school. I remember having to go home and watch TRL and figure things out on my own. So I’m deeply invested in having places for kids to go and engage and build community.”
The grand finale of the night featured a closing performance by Salome Agbaroji, a former Get Lit player now navigating her freshman year at Harvard University. She spoke about her journey and the profound effect Get Lit has had on her life. Her poem “Are We There Yet?” was a moving piece that sent the audience on an emotional ride.
The gala not only celebrated young poets and achievements but also marked the beginning of future endeavors. Overall, the evening highlighted the change Get Lit brings to schools, offering diverse creative opportunities for young minds.
