Recording artist, composer, activist, and philanthropist John Legend has been an outspoken champion of civil and human rights. He is involved in numerous social and charitable causes including serving on the board of the Harlem Village Academies, a progressive K-12 charter school network in Harlem, NY. Through his music, film and television production, and his own activism, he has emerged as one the most outspoken entertainers of his generation.

On September 23 the Apollo Theater is proud to present an in-depth conversation on the duty of the artist with John Legend and Salamishah Tillet. Scholar, writer, and activist, Salamishah is the Henry Rutgers Professor of African-American Studies at Rutgers University-Newark and a Contributing Critic-at-Large at the New York Times. Drawing inspiration from their mutual role model Nina Simone, she and John will discuss the roots of his activism, what he believes the responsibilities of artists are at this moment, and his vision for social change and racial justice.

The Apollo Theater has remained a beacon of Black creativity for over eight decades and a safe space for artists and audiences to thrive. As a non-profit organization, the Apollo Theater depends on generous funding from donors. If you are in the position to do so, please consider making a contribution to the Apollo in support of these free virtual programs presented all season long, keeping the Theater connected with communities around the world until our physical doors are able to reopen.

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