Position Title: Director, Historic South LA Black Cultural District
Reports To: Executive Director, LA Commons
Works In Partnership With: California Senate District 28 and BCD Advisory Council
Location: South Los Angeles (Hybrid)
FLSA Status: Full Time (40 hours/week), Exempt
Position Summary
The Historic South Los Angeles Black Cultural District (BCD) seeks a visionary, creative and experienced Director to steward the newly state-designated Historic South LA Black Cultural District. This role will be critical to not only shaping the BCD, but laying the foundation for the legacy and longevity of the district as a pioneering model for Black cultural preservation in the state and nation.
The Director will lead and direct the vision of BCD as identified by BCD leadership team, advisory council, and the community, as well as leading its management and development. This role will steward the creation of a vibrant, community-driven cultural district that uplifts Black history, arts, and narratives in South Los Angeles. The Director will be responsible for program strategy, community and business engagement, tourism intiatives, fundraising, partnership building, and overseeing district-wide initiatives in collaboration with community stakeholders, artists, civic agencies, and funders.
Due to the nature of this role, the ability to navigate the complexities of both local and state government will be critical to success
About the Historic South LA Black Cultural District
The BCD is at an exciting moment in its history. After years of community engagement, the California Arts Council unanimously designated it a California Cultural District on December 12, 2025. The designation was awarded to a partnership between LA Commons, Coalition for Responsible Community Development, and Los Angeles City Planning. The district has recently completed an economic development strategy and implementation plan, its first-ever marketing campaign, and a multi-year strategic plan. Additionally, with state allocations to support the BCD’s development and public art projects, we enthusiastically seek a Director to further catalyze the energy and support to maintain South LA as a destination for Black Angelenos and visitors from across the country.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership and Strategy
- Lead the execution of a multi-year strategic plan for the cultural district to ensure annual tourism and marketing goals are implemented in coordination with Historical South LA Black Cultural District (“Black Cultural District”) Advisory Council, Featured Destinations, and Senate District 28.
- Lead branding and positioning, including campaigns, creative direction, and grant-funded initiatives.
- Strengthen Black Cultural District presence in local, state, national, and international tourism markets.
- Build and manage relationships with the Advisory Council, which is composed of local and regional experts in tourism, marketing and communications, and arts and culture.
- Work with LA Commons Leadership to develop tourism and marketing benchmarks and evaluation tools to measure impact and progress.
Community and Partner Engagement
- Build and maintain strong relationships with city (Department of Cultural Affairs, Metro Department of City Planning, etc.), county, local, state, and national stakeholders, chambers, businesses, and community partners.
- Lead community and partner engagement across the Black Cultural District, building relationships with residents, artists, cultural institutions, small businesses, and community-based organizations, and organizing meetings, listening sessions, and public events that foster meaningful participation.
- Partner with local business support organizations to connect BCD businesses with development opportunities, technical assistance, tools, and resources that strengthen their capacity and support long-term growth.
- Represent the Black Cultural District in state and national tourism associations (California Travel Association, Visit California, International Inbound Travel Association, etc.)
- Actively participate with Destination International for networking and professional development opportunities.
- Identify and support tourism-related events, organizations, and planners through strategic partnerships, marketing, and logistical support to strengthen the Black Cultural District’s visibility and integration within the broader Los Angeles tourism ecosystem.
Communications & Marketing
- Manage and oversee marketing and communications efforts, including advertising, branding, public relations, social media, digital campaigns, and physical marketing to increase awareness of the Black Cultural District.
- Develop and oversee the District’s content and storytelling strategy, including website content, publications, influencer partnerships, and campaigns that elevate the District’s businesses, culture, history, and community.
- Work with marketing and tourism consultants to execute a marketing plan that builds the Black Cultural District’s brand identity and positions the Black CD as a cultural destination for the world.
- Track and analyze tourism, business engagement, and marketing metrics to measure the Black Cultural District’s visibility, economic impact, and effectiveness as a cultural destination.
- Amplify events, activities, businesses, and opportunities across the Black Cultural District that advance the District’s priorities and authentically celebrate and elevate Black culture, history, and narratives.
Resource Development & Fundraising
- Develop and implement a comprehensive resource development strategy to support the BCD’s programs, operations, and long-term sustainability.
- Identify and pursue diverse funding opportunities, including government and foundation grants, corporate sponsorships, philanthropic support, and other revenue-generating opportunities.
- Partner with development staff and consultants to develop proposals, cultivate relationships, and steward funders, sponsors, and other funding partners.
- Implement the BCD’s sustainability plan to strengthen the District’s long-term financial stability and advance the goals outlined in the strategic plan.
Operations & Administration
- Develop and manage the BCD’s annual operating and project budgets, work plans, timelines, and deliverables, including monitoring revenues and expenditures.
- Ensure compliance with grant, contract, and funding requirements, including accurate
and timely reporting, documentation, and reimbursement requests.
- Supervise and coordinate staff, consultants, contractors, interns, and volunteers supporting BCD programs, marketing, administration, and other initiatives.
- Establish and maintain systems that promote accountability, transparency, and effective operations, including tracking key activities, outcomes, budgets, and deliverables.
- Provide regular progress and financial reports to the Executive Director, LA Commons, California Senate District 28, and the Advisory Council on key activities, outcomes, challenges, and priorities
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in arts administration, business, public policy, urban planning, community development, marketing, communications, hospitality and tourism management, or a related field; equivalent lived and/or professional experience will also be considered. Master’s degree is a plus.
- Minimum 7 years of comparable experience in tourism, destination marketing,
community or economic development, arts and culture, nonprofit management, or a related field.
- Demonstrated experience developing and implementing marketing, tourism, cultural, or community-based initiatives, with the ability to translate community priorities into actionable programs, partnerships, and opportunities.
- Proven ability to manage budgets, staff, consultants, contracts, and multiple projects and priorities while maintaining strong systems of accountability.
- Knowledge of marketing and communications strategies, including digital marketing, social media, storytelling, audience engagement, and data and analytics.
- Experience with fundraising and/or grant administration, including grant compliance, reporting, and management of public or philanthropic funding.
- Demonstrated commitment to racial equity, economic justice, and the preservation and celebration of Black culture, history, and communities
- Deep familiarity with South Los Angeles communities, histories, businesses, and cultural assets, gained through lived experience, professional experience, or both.
- Excellent written and verbal communication, public speaking, facilitation, and
relationship-building skills, with demonstrated ability to build and navigate coalitions among community stakeholders, businesses, government agencies, cultural institutions, funders, and other institutional partners, including the ability to navigate public-sector systems and decision-making processes.
- Experience working with a board of directors, advisory council, or similar governance body to advance strategic priorities and maintain accountability
Compensation & Benefits
$125,000–$150,000 annually, commensurate with experience
Our comprehensive benefits package includes:
- Full medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents
- Short Term and Long Term Disability, Life Insurance
- Paid time off, plus paid holidays and sick leave
- 401(k) plan with a 4% company match
- Stipend for professional development opportunities
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.