2026-05-15T05:48:55-04:00 2025-06-30 475677171 WALTERS & SKLYAR LLP 21031 VENTURA BLVD STE 401 WOODLAND HILLS CA 91364 990 2024-07-01 812917440 WACO THEATER CENTER WACO 8184001151 5062 LANKERSHIM BLVD 160 NORTH HOLLYWOOD CA 91601 SHAY WAFER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 8184001151 2026-05-15 true true YEFIM SKLYAR CPA P00362128 8189752040 2026-05-15 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z X SHAY WAFER 5062 LANKERSHIM BLVD 160 NORTH HOLLYWOOD CA 91601 143808 false X HTTPS://WACOTHEATERCENTER.COM/ X 2016 CA WACO THEATER CENTER IS A PERFORMING AND VISUAL ARTS ORGANIZATION THAT PRESENTS, COMMISSIONS AND DEVELOPS ARTISTIC WORKS DEDICATED TO STORIES OF THE AFRICAN DIASPORA. WACO PROVIDES ARTISTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE A PLATFORM AND VOICE TO SHOWCASE THEIR CREATIVITY, IN ORDER TO CONNECT AND INSPIRE OTHERS. 6 5 10 10 0 1310612 49019 42 0 8038 48093 19311 46696 1338003 143808 0 0 787028 727914 0 67028 1194228 1281598 1981256 2009512 -643253 -1865704 3396255 1327376 304992 101817 3091263 1225559 X WACO (WHERE ART CAN OCCUR) THEATER CENTER IS A PERFORMING AND VISUAL ARTS ORGANIZATION THAT PRESENTS, COMMISSIONS AND DEVELOPS ARTISTIC WORKS DEDICATED TO STORIES OF THE AFRICAN DIASPORA. CO-FOUNDED BY RICHARD LAWSON AND TINA KNOWLES, WACO PROVIDES ARTISTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE A PLATFORM TO VOICE AND SHOWCASE THEIR CREATIVITY TO CONNECT AND INSPIRE OTHERS. WACO'S ARTISTIC AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS ARE DRIVEN BY FOUR VALUES. WE CREATE WORK THAT UNAPOLOGETICALLY: CENTERS BLACK ART AND CULTURE FROM A DIASPORIC LENS AND VOICE; INCUBATES AND LAUNCHES NEW CREATIVE IDEAS TO MEMORIALIZE THE PAST AND ENVISION THE FUTURE OF BLACK LIFE; IS COLLABORATIVE AND LEADS WITH AN UBUNTU MINDSET, "I AM, BECAUSE WE ARE- AND SERVES THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY INCLUDING THE SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, AND CIVIC PRIORITIES OF OUR NEIGHBORS AND BLACK LOS ANGELES. NOW IN OUR EIGHTH SEASON, WE HAVE CONTINUED TO ELEVATE AN EMPHASIS ON THE HISTORY OF THE AFRICAN DIASPORA AND CULTURE IN OUR PROGRAMMING. WE FIRMLY BELIEVE IN THE POWER false false 1205734 WACO'S MOST AMBITIOUS PROGRAMMATIC UNDERTAKING OF FY25 WAS THE CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT OF STILL HERE - A DUAL-PLATFORM CREATIVE INTERVENTION THAT EXISTS AT THE INTERSECTION OF ART, ADVOCACY, AND PUBLIC HEALTH. STILL HERE IS BOTH A WRITTEN PUBLICATION AND A LIVE PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE, AND TOGETHER THEY FORM A POWERFUL, UNAPOLOGETIC RESPONSE TO ONE OF THE MOST UNDERREPORTED HEALTH CRISES FACING BLACK WOMEN TODAY: THE RISING RATE OF HIV DIAGNOSES IN BLACK COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THE STILL HERE MAGAZINE WAS COMPLETED FOR PRINTING DURING THIS FISCAL YEAR - A LANDMARK ACHIEVEMENT REPRESENTING MONTHS OF CREATIVE LABOR AND COMMUNITY COLLABORATION. THE PUBLICATION FEATURES STORIES COMMISSIONED FROM 32 BLACK WOMEN WRITERS, EACH BRINGING A DISTINCT VOICE, PERSPECTIVE, AND LIVED EXPERIENCE TO THE PAGE. THE RESULT IS NOT A CLINICAL HEALTH RESOURCE. IT IS A LIVING DOCUMENT - PART ANTHOLOGY, PART RESOURCE GUIDE, PART LOVE LETTER TO BLACK WOMEN - THAT MEETS READERS WITH HONESTY, DIGNITY, AND CARE. THE MAGAZINE IS DESIGNED TO REDUCE STIGMA, SPARK CONVERSATION, AND AFFIRM THE LIVES OF WOMEN WHO HAVE TOO OFTEN BEEN RENDERED INVISIBLE IN BOTH MAINSTREAM MEDIA AND PUBLIC HEALTH DISCOURSE. ALONGSIDE THE MAGAZINE, THE STILL HERE LIVE EXPERIENCE WAS DEVELOPED FOR THE STAGE - A ONE-OF-A-KIND 360-DEGREE PERFORMANCE THAT FUSES STORYTELLING, VIDEO, MUSIC, AND DANCE INTO AN IMMERSIVE THEATRICAL ENCOUNTER BROUGHT TO LIFE INSIDE A HAIR SALON, ONE OF THE MOST SACRED AND TRUSTED COMMUNAL SPACES IN BLACK WOMEN'S LIVES. A TEAM OF 20 CREATIVE COLLABORATORS - INCLUDING ACTORS, DIRECTORS, A CHOREOGRAPHER, A MULTIMEDIA ARTIST, A HAIR ARTIST, A VISUAL ARTIST, AND A COSTUME DESIGNER - CAME TOGETHER TO BUILD THIS EXPERIENCE FROM THE GROUND UP THROUGH A DEVISED, COHORT-BASED CREATIVE PROCESS. STILL HERE LIVE IS POWERED BY THE VOICES OF LOCAL AND NATIONAL ACTIVISTS AND ADVOCATES WHO REFUSE TO LET THIS CONVERSATION REMAIN IN THE SHADOWS. THE PRODUCTION IS SCHEDULED TO MAKE ITS LOS ANGELES DEBUT IN SEPTEMBER 2025, WITH A NATIONAL TOUR TO BATON ROUGE AND ATLANTA IN 2026 - BRINGING THIS VITAL WORK TO THE COMMUNITIES THAT NEED IT MOST 180198 WACO'S EDUCATION PROGRAM, THE ANGELS AND WARRIORS MENTORSHIP PROGRAM, IS BUILT ON A SIMPLE BUT RADICAL BELIEF: EVERY YOUNG PERSON DESERVES TO BE SEEN, SUPPORTED, AND EQUIPPED TO PURSUE THEIR FULLEST POTENTIAL. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE WRAP-AROUND SERVICES DESIGNED TO FACILITATE PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH FOR YOUNG PEOPLE FROM 8TH GRADE THROUGH COLLEGE - MEETING THEM WHERE THEY ARE AND WALKING ALONGSIDE THEM AS THEY GROW. AT THE CORE OF ANGELS AND WARRIORS IS THE WORK OF HELPING YOUNG PEOPLE IDENTIFY THEIR DREAMS AND THEN BUILDING THE CLARITY, DISCIPLINE, AND SKILL TO ACTUALLY ACHIEVE THEM. THIS IS NOT A PASSIVE PROGRAM. IT IS AN ACTIVE, RELATIONAL INVESTMENT IN THE NEXT GENERATION OF BLACK ARTISTS, LEADERS, AND CHANGE-MAKERS. THROUGH MENTORSHIP, PARTICIPANTS DEVELOP NOT ONLY ARTISTIC SKILLS BUT THE CONFIDENCE AND SELF-AWARENESS TO NAVIGATE THE WORLD ON THEIR OWN TERMS. THE PROGRAM CURRICULUM IS INTENTIONALLY EXPANSIVE - EXTENDING BEYOND CLASSROOM WALLS THROUGH OFF-SITE FIELD TRIPS, HANDS-ON WORKSHOPS, AND MEANINGFUL ENCOUNTERS WITH GUEST ARTISTS. THESE EXPERIENCES EXPOSE YOUNG PEOPLE TO THE FULL BREADTH OF CAREERS AVAILABLE IN THE ARTS WHILE FOSTERING A DEEP APPRECIATION FOR CREATIVE EXPRESSION AS BOTH A PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL PATH. ANGELS AND WARRIORS DOESN'T JUST DEVELOP ARTISTS - IT DEVELOPS WHOLE PEOPLE. 111750 AS WACO DEEPENS ITS ROOTS IN LEIMERT PARK AHEAD OF OUR VENUE TRANSITION, OUR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM THIS YEAR WAS ANCHORED BY THE OUR VISION PORTRAIT AND ARCHIVE CAMPAIGN - AN EXPANSIVE, PARTICIPATORY INITIATIVE DEDICATED TO DOCUMENTING THE SPIRIT, FACES, AND STORIES OF THE LEIMERT PARK COMMUNITY IN A PERMANENT, PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE ARCHIVE. THE CAMPAIGN WAS BUILT ON THE CONVICTION THAT COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE NOT JUST THE AUDIENCE FOR ART - THEY ARE THE ART ITSELF. EVERY PORTRAIT, EVERY ORAL HISTORY, EVERY PLANNING CONVERSATION WAS AN ACT OF CULTURAL PRESERVATION, ENSURING THAT THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE SHAPED THIS NEIGHBORHOOD ARE SEEN, HONORED, AND REMEMBERED. THE RESULTS SPEAK TO THE DEPTH OF COMMUNITY TRUST AND PARTICIPATION THE CAMPAIGN GENERATED: 135+ PORTRAITS WERE CAPTURED, EACH ONE A TESTAMENT TO THE PRESENCE, BEAUTY, AND RESILIENCE OF LEIMERT PARK'S COMMUNITY MEMBERS. THESE ARE NOT PASSIVE IMAGES - THEY ARE DECLARATIONS OF EXISTENCE, GATHERED WITH INTENTION AND CARE. 60 MINI ORAL HISTORIES WERE COLLECTED THROUGH INTIMATE CONVERSATIONS WITH PARTICIPANTS - PRESERVING PERSONAL NARRATIVES, NEIGHBORHOOD MEMORIES, AND COMMUNITY WISDOM THAT MIGHT OTHERWISE GO UNDOCUMENTED. THE CAMPAIGN WAS GROUNDED IN GENUINE COMMUNITY PROCESS, NOT TOP-DOWN PROGRAMMING. 5 PLANNING MEETINGS WERE HELD WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND PARTNERS TO COLLABORATIVELY GUIDE AND SHAPE THE DIRECTION OF THE INITIATIVE. 2 ORAL HISTORY TABLING SESSIONS WERE HOSTED AT THE BELOVED SUNDAY MARKETPLACE, CREATING LOW-BARRIER, ACCESSIBLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR NEIGHBORS TO SHARE THEIR STORIES ON THEIR OWN TERMS. AND 1 PORTRAIT SHOOT ACTIVATION BROUGHT THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER IN A CELEBRATORY GATHERING WHERE PARTICIPANTS WERE PHOTOGRAPHED AS PART OF BOTH THE EXHIBITION AND THE PERMANENT ARCHIVE. THE CULMINATING EXHIBITION NOW LIVES ON THE OUTDOOR WALLS OF A BUILDING IN LEIMERT PARK - A PUBLIC, PERMANENT INSTALLATION THAT TRANSFORMS THE NEIGHBORHOOD ITSELF INTO A GALLERY. IT IS VISIBLE TO EVERY PERSON WHO WALKS THOSE STREETS, A DAILY REMINDER THAT THIS COMMUNITY'S HISTORY, BEAUTY, AND HUMANITY ARE WORTH DISPLAYING FOR THE WORLD TO SEE. 88670 DURING THIS FISCAL YEAR, WACO MADE SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENTS IN ORGANIZATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE TO ENSURE THAT OUR TRANSITION TO THE VISION THEATRE IS NOT ONLY SUCCESSFUL, BUT SUSTAINABLE. WE RECOGNIZE THAT A MOVE OF THIS MAGNITUDE REQUIRES MORE THAN ENTHUSIASM AND ARTISTIC VISION - IT REQUIRES SOUND PLANNING, STRONG GOVERNANCE, DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL STRATEGY, AND THE LEADERSHIP CAPACITY TO STEWARD A COMPLEX, MULTI-PROGRAM INSTITUTION AT A NEW LEVEL OF SCALE. BECOMING THE VISION IS THE WORK OF BUILDING ALL OF THOSE THINGS AT ONCE. TO GUIDE THIS PROCESS, WACO ENGAGED EXPERIENCED PLANNING CONSULTANTS WHOSE EXPERTISE SPANS NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, ARTS ADMINISTRATION, AND INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY BUILDING. THESE PARTNERSHIPS WERE NOT TRANSACTIONAL. THEY WERE DEEPLY COLLABORATIVE ENGAGEMENTS DESIGNED TO ALIGN OUR ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE WITH THE AMBITION AND RESPONSIBILITY OF OPERATING A MAJOR PERFORMING ARTS COMPLEX IN ONE OF LOS ANGELES' MOST HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT CULTURAL CORRIDORS. THE WORK THIS FISCAL YEAR CENTERED ON THREE INTERCONNECTED AREAS OF DEVELOPMENT: BUSINESS PLANNING. WACO WORKED WITH CONSULTANTS TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE BUSINESS PLAN THAT CHARTS A CLEAR AND REALISTIC PATHWAY FOR OPERATING THE VISION THEATRE PERFORMING ARTS COMPLEX. THIS PLAN EXAMINES OUR PROGRAMMING MODEL, OPERATIONAL CAPACITY, STAFFING STRUCTURE, REVENUE STREAMS, AND LONG-TERM FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY. IT TRANSLATES WACO'S ARTISTIC MISSION INTO AN ORGANIZATIONAL ROADMAP - ONE THAT HONORS WHO WE ARE WHILE PREPARING US FOR THE DEMANDS AND OPPORTUNITIES OF WHO WE ARE BECOMING. FUNDRAISING STRATEGY. EXPANDING INTO A MAJOR PERFORMING ARTS VENUE REQUIRES AN EQUALLY EXPANDED APPROACH TO RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT. THIS FISCAL YEAR, WACO DEVELOPED A ROBUST FUNDRAISING PLAN DESIGNED TO DIVERSIFY AND GROW OUR REVENUE BASE IN ALIGNMENT WITH OUR NEW OPERATIONAL REALITY. THIS PLAN ENCOMPASSES INDIVIDUAL GIVING, INSTITUTIONAL PHILANTHROPY, GOVERNMENT FUNDING, EARNED REVENUE, AND CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS - BUILDING THE FINANCIAL ARCHITECTURE NECESSARY TO SUPPORT A THRIVING, COMMUNITY-CENTERED ARTS COMPLEX FOR YEARS TO COME. BOARD DEVELOPMENT. STRONG GOVERNANCE IS THE BACKBONE OF ANY ENDURING INSTITUTION. AS WACO GROWS, SO TOO MUST THE LEADERSHIP THAT GUIDES IT. THIS YEAR, WE ENGAGED IN INTENTIONAL BOARD DEVELOPMENT WORK - IDENTIFYING THE SKILLS, PERSPECTIVES, AND NETWORKS NEEDED TO BUILD A BOARD THAT IS EQUIPPED TO GOVERN A PERFORMING ARTS COMPLEX, ADVOCATE FOR WACO'S MISSION, AND STEWARD OUR RESOURCES WITH EXCELLENCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY. THIS WORK IS AS MUCH ABOUT ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE AS IT IS ABOUT STRUCTURE - CULTIVATING A GOVERNANCE MODEL THAT REFLECTS WACO'S VALUES AND THE COMMUNITY WE SERVE. 88670 1586352 true true false false false false false false false false true false false true true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true 69 0 true 10 true false false false false false false false false X 6 5 true false false false false false false true false false false true true true true true true true true false CA X SHAY WAFER 8184001151 5062 LANKERSHIM BLVD 160 NORTH HOLLYWOOD CA 91601 RICHARD LAWSON FORMER OFFIC 40.00 X 125000 0 0 TINA KNOWLES PRESIDENT 40.00 X X 125000 0 0 ANGELIKI GIANNAKOPOLOUS SECRETARY 1.00 X X 0 0 0 MELBA LFARQUHAR TREASURER 1.00 X X 0 0 0 GLYNN TURMAN BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 RALPH FARQUHAR BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 JOHN WISEMAN BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 SHAY WAFER EXECUTIVE DI 40.00 X 125500 0 0 375500 3 true false false YOUR PART TIME CONTROLLER ACCOUNTING 108106 1 33064 15955 49019 48093 48093 45325 45325 45325 45325 MISCELLANEOUS REVENUE 1371 1371 1371 143808 94789 125000 100000 18750 6250 125000 100000 18750 6250 415821 332657 62373 20791 62093 49674 9314 3105 182603 128898 48994 4711 34379 27703 5007 1669 146344 146344 49745 49745 66 66 197375 158200 29381 9794 19444 16280 1397 1767 39601 32516 5314 1771 37228 29783 5584 1861 PRODUCTION COST 352290 352290 TALENT & PRODUCTION 171085 171085 SUBSCRIPTIONS 21380 15740 2602 3038 DONATIONS 6000 6000 24058 15715 2322 6021 2009512 1586352 356132 67028 400706 579331 156703 164034 2150077 93071 22265 24961 839324 472338 406586 366986 259918 98993 3396255 1327376 112016 56610 192976 45207 304992 101817 X 731749 854676 2359514 370883 3091263 1225559 3396255 1327376 -1865704 X false false false X 3007290 4342126 585535 1310612 49019 9294582 3007290 4342126 585535 1310612 49019 9294582 4783304 4511278 49 5400 8038 93418 106905 371 371 9460 13465 19311 42236 9444094 4403705 0.47770 0.59250 X PART II, LINE 10 OTHER INCOME 42,236 RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 191539 101364 90175 647785 370974 276811 366986 SECURITY DEPOSIT 54288 RIGHT OF USE-LEASE ASSET 44105 UNDEPOSITED FUNDS 600 98993 LEASE LIABILITY 45207 45207 false false false false false false false false false RICHARD LAWSON FORMER OFFICER 125000 125000 FORM 990 - ORGANIZATION'S MISSION WACO (WHERE ART CAN OCCUR) THEATER CENTER IS A PERFORMING AND VISUAL ARTS ORGANIZATION THAT PRESENTS, COMMISSIONS AND DEVELOPS ARTISTIC WORKS DEDICATED TO STORIES OF THE AFRICAN DIASPORA. CO-FOUNDED BY RICHARD LAWSON AND TINA KNOWLES, WACO PROVIDES ARTISTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE A PLATFORM TO VOICE AND SHOWCASE THEIR CREATIVITY TO CONNECT AND INSPIRE OTHERS. WACO'S ARTISTIC AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS ARE DRIVEN BY FOUR VALUES. WE CREATE WORK THAT UNAPOLOGETICALLY: CENTERS BLACK ART AND CULTURE FROM A DIASPORIC LENS AND VOICE; INCUBATES AND LAUNCHES NEW CREATIVE IDEAS TO MEMORIALIZE THE PAST AND ENVISION THE FUTURE OF BLACK LIFE; IS COLLABORATIVE AND LEADS WITH AN UBUNTU MINDSET, "I AM, BECAUSE WE ARE- AND SERVES THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY INCLUDING THE SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, AND CIVIC PRIORITIES OF OUR NEIGHBORS AND BLACK LOS ANGELES. NOW IN OUR EIGHTH SEASON, WE HAVE CONTINUED TO ELEVATE AN EMPHASIS ON THE HISTORY OF THE AFRICAN DIASPORA AND CULTURE IN OUR PROGRAMMING. WE FIRMLY BELIEVE IN THE POWER THAT ART AND MENTORSHIP MUST BE TRANSFORMATIVE. WE FULFILL OUR MISSION THROUGH THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM AREAS: PERFORMING ARTS, PRESENTING LIVE AND VIRTUAL DANCE, THEATER, MUSIC, FILM, AND INTERDISCIPLINARY EVENTS BY EMERGING AND ESTABLISHED ARTISTS; VISUAL ARTS, SHOWCASING THE WORK OF VISUAL ARTISTS IN OUR GALLERY ACROSS VARIOUS ARTISTIC DISCIPLINES, INCLUDING PAINTING, DRAWING, SCULPTURE AND MORE; MENTORSHIP, BUILDING DREAMS OF THE NEXT GENERATION THROUGH MENTORSHIP, TO FACILITATE GROWTH OF YOUNG PEOPLE FROM 8TH GRADE THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION AND BEYOND; EDUCATION, PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR AUDIENCES TO MOVE THE CULTURE FORWARD THROUGH PUBLIC DIALOGUE AND HANDS ON EXPERIENCES-LINKING COMMUNITIES, ARTISTS AND AUDIENCES TOGETHER. FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4A WACO'S MOST AMBITIOUS PROGRAMMATIC UNDERTAKING OF FY25 WAS THE CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT OF STILL HERE - A DUAL-PLATFORM CREATIVE INTERVENTION THAT EXISTS AT THE INTERSECTION OF ART, ADVOCACY, AND PUBLIC HEALTH. STILL HERE IS BOTH A WRITTEN PUBLICATION AND A LIVE PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE, AND TOGETHER THEY FORM A POWERFUL, UNAPOLOGETIC RESPONSE TO ONE OF THE MOST UNDERREPORTED HEALTH CRISES FACING BLACK WOMEN TODAY: THE RISING RATE OF HIV DIAGNOSES IN BLACK COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THE STILL HERE MAGAZINE WAS COMPLETED FOR PRINTING DURING THIS FISCAL YEAR - A LANDMARK ACHIEVEMENT REPRESENTING MONTHS OF CREATIVE LABOR AND COMMUNITY COLLABORATION. THE PUBLICATION FEATURES STORIES COMMISSIONED FROM 32 BLACK WOMEN WRITERS, EACH BRINGING A DISTINCT VOICE, PERSPECTIVE, AND LIVED EXPERIENCE TO THE PAGE. THE RESULT IS NOT A CLINICAL HEALTH RESOURCE. IT IS A LIVING DOCUMENT - PART ANTHOLOGY, PART RESOURCE GUIDE, PART LOVE LETTER TO BLACK WOMEN - THAT MEETS READERS WITH HONESTY, DIGNITY, AND CARE. THE MAGAZINE IS DESIGNED TO REDUCE STIGMA, SPARK CONVERSATION, AND AFFIRM THE LIVES OF WOMEN WHO HAVE TOO OFTEN BEEN RENDERED INVISIBLE IN BOTH MAINSTREAM MEDIA AND PUBLIC HEALTH DISCOURSE. ALONGSIDE THE MAGAZINE, THE STILL HERE LIVE EXPERIENCE WAS DEVELOPED FOR THE STAGE - A ONE-OF-A-KIND 360-DEGREE PERFORMANCE THAT FUSES STORYTELLING, VIDEO, MUSIC, AND DANCE INTO AN IMMERSIVE THEATRICAL ENCOUNTER BROUGHT TO LIFE INSIDE A HAIR SALON, ONE OF THE MOST SACRED AND TRUSTED COMMUNAL SPACES IN BLACK WOMEN'S LIVES. A TEAM OF 20 CREATIVE COLLABORATORS - INCLUDING ACTORS, DIRECTORS, A CHOREOGRAPHER, A MULTIMEDIA ARTIST, A HAIR ARTIST, A VISUAL ARTIST, AND A COSTUME DESIGNER - CAME TOGETHER TO BUILD THIS EXPERIENCE FROM THE GROUND UP THROUGH A DEVISED, COHORT-BASED CREATIVE PROCESS. STILL HERE LIVE IS POWERED BY THE VOICES OF LOCAL AND NATIONAL ACTIVISTS AND ADVOCATES WHO REFUSE TO LET THIS CONVERSATION REMAIN IN THE SHADOWS. THE PRODUCTION IS SCHEDULED TO MAKE ITS LOS ANGELES DEBUT IN SEPTEMBER 2025, WITH A NATIONAL TOUR TO BATON ROUGE AND ATLANTA IN 2026 - BRINGING THIS VITAL WORK TO THE COMMUNITIES THAT NEED IT MOST FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4B WACO'S EDUCATION PROGRAM, THE ANGELS AND WARRIORS MENTORSHIP PROGRAM, IS BUILT ON A SIMPLE BUT RADICAL BELIEF: EVERY YOUNG PERSON DESERVES TO BE SEEN, SUPPORTED, AND EQUIPPED TO PURSUE THEIR FULLEST POTENTIAL. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE WRAP-AROUND SERVICES DESIGNED TO FACILITATE PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH FOR YOUNG PEOPLE FROM 8TH GRADE THROUGH COLLEGE - MEETING THEM WHERE THEY ARE AND WALKING ALONGSIDE THEM AS THEY GROW. AT THE CORE OF ANGELS AND WARRIORS IS THE WORK OF HELPING YOUNG PEOPLE IDENTIFY THEIR DREAMS AND THEN BUILDING THE CLARITY, DISCIPLINE, AND SKILL TO ACTUALLY ACHIEVE THEM. THIS IS NOT A PASSIVE PROGRAM. IT IS AN ACTIVE, RELATIONAL INVESTMENT IN THE NEXT GENERATION OF BLACK ARTISTS, LEADERS, AND CHANGE-MAKERS. THROUGH MENTORSHIP, PARTICIPANTS DEVELOP NOT ONLY ARTISTIC SKILLS BUT THE CONFIDENCE AND SELF-AWARENESS TO NAVIGATE THE WORLD ON THEIR OWN TERMS. THE PROGRAM CURRICULUM IS INTENTIONALLY EXPANSIVE - EXTENDING BEYOND CLASSROOM WALLS THROUGH OFF-SITE FIELD TRIPS, HANDS-ON WORKSHOPS, AND MEANINGFUL ENCOUNTERS WITH GUEST ARTISTS. THESE EXPERIENCES EXPOSE YOUNG PEOPLE TO THE FULL BREADTH OF CAREERS AVAILABLE IN THE ARTS WHILE FOSTERING A DEEP APPRECIATION FOR CREATIVE EXPRESSION AS BOTH A PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL PATH. ANGELS AND WARRIORS DOESN'T JUST DEVELOP ARTISTS - IT DEVELOPS WHOLE PEOPLE. FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4C AS WACO DEEPENS ITS ROOTS IN LEIMERT PARK AHEAD OF OUR VENUE TRANSITION, OUR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM THIS YEAR WAS ANCHORED BY THE OUR VISION PORTRAIT AND ARCHIVE CAMPAIGN - AN EXPANSIVE, PARTICIPATORY INITIATIVE DEDICATED TO DOCUMENTING THE SPIRIT, FACES, AND STORIES OF THE LEIMERT PARK COMMUNITY IN A PERMANENT, PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE ARCHIVE. THE CAMPAIGN WAS BUILT ON THE CONVICTION THAT COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE NOT JUST THE AUDIENCE FOR ART - THEY ARE THE ART ITSELF. EVERY PORTRAIT, EVERY ORAL HISTORY, EVERY PLANNING CONVERSATION WAS AN ACT OF CULTURAL PRESERVATION, ENSURING THAT THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE SHAPED THIS NEIGHBORHOOD ARE SEEN, HONORED, AND REMEMBERED. THE RESULTS SPEAK TO THE DEPTH OF COMMUNITY TRUST AND PARTICIPATION THE CAMPAIGN GENERATED: 135+ PORTRAITS WERE CAPTURED, EACH ONE A TESTAMENT TO THE PRESENCE, BEAUTY, AND RESILIENCE OF LEIMERT PARK'S COMMUNITY MEMBERS. THESE ARE NOT PASSIVE IMAGES - THEY ARE DECLARATIONS OF EXISTENCE, GATHERED WITH INTENTION AND CARE. 60 MINI ORAL HISTORIES WERE COLLECTED THROUGH INTIMATE CONVERSATIONS WITH PARTICIPANTS - PRESERVING PERSONAL NARRATIVES, NEIGHBORHOOD MEMORIES, AND COMMUNITY WISDOM THAT MIGHT OTHERWISE GO UNDOCUMENTED. THE CAMPAIGN WAS GROUNDED IN GENUINE COMMUNITY PROCESS, NOT TOP-DOWN PROGRAMMING. 5 PLANNING MEETINGS WERE HELD WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND PARTNERS TO COLLABORATIVELY GUIDE AND SHAPE THE DIRECTION OF THE INITIATIVE. 2 ORAL HISTORY TABLING SESSIONS WERE HOSTED AT THE BELOVED SUNDAY MARKETPLACE, CREATING LOW-BARRIER, ACCESSIBLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR NEIGHBORS TO SHARE THEIR STORIES ON THEIR OWN TERMS. AND 1 PORTRAIT SHOOT ACTIVATION BROUGHT THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER IN A CELEBRATORY GATHERING WHERE PARTICIPANTS WERE PHOTOGRAPHED AS PART OF BOTH THE EXHIBITION AND THE PERMANENT ARCHIVE. THE CULMINATING EXHIBITION NOW LIVES ON THE OUTDOOR WALLS OF A BUILDING IN LEIMERT PARK - A PUBLIC, PERMANENT INSTALLATION THAT TRANSFORMS THE NEIGHBORHOOD ITSELF INTO A GALLERY. IT IS VISIBLE TO EVERY PERSON WHO WALKS THOSE STREETS, A DAILY REMINDER THAT THIS COMMUNITY'S HISTORY, BEAUTY, AND HUMANITY ARE WORTH DISPLAYING FOR THE WORLD TO SEE. FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4D DURING THIS FISCAL YEAR, WACO MADE SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENTS IN ORGANIZATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE TO ENSURE THAT OUR TRANSITION TO THE VISION THEATRE IS NOT ONLY SUCCESSFUL, BUT SUSTAINABLE. WE RECOGNIZE THAT A MOVE OF THIS MAGNITUDE REQUIRES MORE THAN ENTHUSIASM AND ARTISTIC VISION - IT REQUIRES SOUND PLANNING, STRONG GOVERNANCE, DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL STRATEGY, AND THE LEADERSHIP CAPACITY TO STEWARD A COMPLEX, MULTI-PROGRAM INSTITUTION AT A NEW LEVEL OF SCALE. BECOMING THE VISION IS THE WORK OF BUILDING ALL OF THOSE THINGS AT ONCE. TO GUIDE THIS PROCESS, WACO ENGAGED EXPERIENCED PLANNING CONSULTANTS WHOSE EXPERTISE SPANS NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, ARTS ADMINISTRATION, AND INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY BUILDING. THESE PARTNERSHIPS WERE NOT TRANSACTIONAL. THEY WERE DEEPLY COLLABORATIVE ENGAGEMENTS DESIGNED TO ALIGN OUR ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE WITH THE AMBITION AND RESPONSIBILITY OF OPERATING A MAJOR PERFORMING ARTS COMPLEX IN ONE OF LOS ANGELES' MOST HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT CULTURAL CORRIDORS. THE WORK THIS FISCAL YEAR CENTERED ON THREE INTERCONNECTED AREAS OF DEVELOPMENT: BUSINESS PLANNING. WACO WORKED WITH CONSULTANTS TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE BUSINESS PLAN THAT CHARTS A CLEAR AND REALISTIC PATHWAY FOR OPERATING THE VISION THEATRE PERFORMING ARTS COMPLEX. THIS PLAN EXAMINES OUR PROGRAMMING MODEL, OPERATIONAL CAPACITY, STAFFING STRUCTURE, REVENUE STREAMS, AND LONG-TERM FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY. IT TRANSLATES WACO'S ARTISTIC MISSION INTO AN ORGANIZATIONAL ROADMAP - ONE THAT HONORS WHO WE ARE WHILE PREPARING US FOR THE DEMANDS AND OPPORTUNITIES OF WHO WE ARE BECOMING. FUNDRAISING STRATEGY. EXPANDING INTO A MAJOR PERFORMING ARTS VENUE REQUIRES AN EQUALLY EXPANDED APPROACH TO RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT. THIS FISCAL YEAR, WACO DEVELOPED A ROBUST FUNDRAISING PLAN DESIGNED TO DIVERSIFY AND GROW OUR REVENUE BASE IN ALIGNMENT WITH OUR NEW OPERATIONAL REALITY. THIS PLAN ENCOMPASSES INDIVIDUAL GIVING, INSTITUTIONAL PHILANTHROPY, GOVERNMENT FUNDING, EARNED REVENUE, AND CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS - BUILDING THE FINANCIAL ARCHITECTURE NECESSARY TO SUPPORT A THRIVING, COMMUNITY-CENTERED ARTS COMPLEX FOR YEARS TO COME. BOARD DEVELOPMENT. STRONG GOVERNANCE IS THE BACKBONE OF ANY ENDURING INSTITUTION. AS WACO GROWS, SO TOO MUST THE LEADERSHIP THAT GUIDES IT. THIS YEAR, WE ENGAGED IN INTENTIONAL BOARD DEVELOPMENT WORK - IDENTIFYING THE SKILLS, PERSPECTIVES, AND NETWORKS NEEDED TO BUILD A BOARD THAT IS EQUIPPED TO GOVERN A PERFORMING ARTS COMPLEX, ADVOCATE FOR WACO'S MISSION, AND STEWARD OUR RESOURCES WITH EXCELLENCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY. THIS WORK IS AS MUCH ABOUT ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE AS IT IS ABOUT STRUCTURE - CULTIVATING A GOVERNANCE MODEL THAT REFLECTS WACO'S VALUES AND THE COMMUNITY WE SERVE. FORM 990, PART VI THE BOARD MEMBERS SIGN A WRITTEN CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND DISCLOSURE STATEMENT AND POLICY EACH YEAR IN WRITING. THE EMPLOYEES ARE NOTIFIED BY AGREEING TO THE ANNUAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY IN THE EMPLOYER HANDBOOK EACH YEAR. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 2 RICHARD LAWSON TINA KNOWLES FORMER OFFIC PRESIDENT HUSBAND AND WIFE MELBA L.FARQUHAR RALPH FARQUHAR BOARD MEMBER BOARD MEMBER HUSBAND AND WIFE FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 8B N/A FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 11B THE 990 WAS PRESENTED IN ITS DRAFT FORM TO THE BOARD FOR APPROVAL. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 12C THE ORGANIZATION CONSISTENTLY MONITORS COMPLIANCE WITH CONFLICT OF INTERESTS' POLICY. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15A INDEPENDENT BOARD MEMBERS CLOSELY REVIEWS AVAILABLE MARKET DATA TO DETERMINE AND APPROVE COMPENSATION OF THE OFFICERS. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15B THE ARTISTIC DIRECTORS AND ED HAVE BEEN PAID EMPLOYEES FOR MORE THAN 3 YEARS AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RAISE SINCE THEIR HIRE. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 19 THE ORGANIZATION'S GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST FOR PUBLIC REVIEW. THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX RETURN FILINGS ARE AVAILABLE FOR VIEW AT WWW.GUIDESTAR.ORG AND UPON REQUEST FROM THE ORGANIZATION.