Aziz Diagne

Aziz Diagne is a multi-media artist from Senegal, West Africa. He grew up in the city of Thies, amid the traditional art forms of his homeland. These art forms include rock carving, ceramic and wood sculpture, murals, tapestry, and Thiesoise (reverse painting on glass). Aziz, a self-taught painter, through his unique and dynamic talents, quickly established himself as one of the premier contemporary glass painters.  Before coming to the United States, Aziz studied in Dakar and Thies, Senegal. He then pursued art for several years in neighboring countries of Mauritania and Morocco. Aziz traveled extensively throughout Africa, Europe, and South America, absorbing the art and cultures of diverse environments. These experiences have greatly enhanced the artist’s seemingly limitless repertoire and creative energy.  A few of his many accomplishments include being selected as the official artist for the 1995, 1998, and 2003 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival; a 1995 and 2002 commission by the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs to create a commemorative poster for the tenth-anniversary edition of the African Marketplace, and being a commissioned artist for 1996 Olympic Games Cultural Olympiad. Aziz’s art has been exhibited in numerous galleries including Studio Museum – New York, NY; Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture – New York, NY; La Belle Gallery – New Orleans, LA; Joyce Jordan Gallery – Oakland, CA; and Tom Joyner Foundation Annual Fantastic Voyage.

Ben Caldwell

Leimert Park legend, Ben Caldwell, is a filmmaker, cultural architect and designer. Born in 1945 and raised in New Mexico to the polyrhythms of Southern blues and jazz, he was first introduced to film by his grandfather who was a projectionist at the local theater.

While pursuing his M.F.A. in film at UCLA, Ben joined the ranks of the legendary LA Rebellion and reclaimed Black visual narratives to positively alter the global popular perception of Black culture and life.

In 1984, after traveling the world with his films, Ben returned to Leimert Park and opened KAOS Network, a community art and technology incubation center on the corner of 43rd St. and Leimert Boulevard in the heart of the Leimert Park Village. In the early ‘90s, when his peers classified hip hop as noise, Ben, an O.G. disruptor, provided space for Project Blowed, the longest running Hip Hop open mic in the world, at KAOS. The space is also home to the monthly event Bananas, where young musical artists across L.A. showcase their talents amid an audience of burgeoning creative millennials. Through KAOS, Ben encourages intergenerational cultural investment in Leimert Park.

Currently, Ben is focused on cultivating the reality of “Sankofa City,” which he envisions as an Afro-futuristic community complete with autonomous vehicles equipped with Augmented and Virtual Reality technologies. He is collaborating with local partners to co-design the future of Leimert Park as Sankofa City, and plans to utilize the latest human centered Afro-tech prototypes incubated at KAOS.

Todd Andrew Hawkins

Todd Andrew Hawkins, a native of Los Angeles, is a multifaceted businessman, successful consultant & strategist. Todd has produced & consulted on numerous events, campaigns & special projects for several corporate, entertainment, non-profit & political organizations.

A graduate of UCLA, Todd started his professional career in the events industry at Warner Bros. Special Events where he worked on several premieres, corporate events and charity galas. In 2007, Todd opened his own event production & management company, The Todd Group, which has become one of the leading event management & consulting firms in Los Angeles. Todd has fast become a key leader in the event industry & was recognized by BizBash Magazine as one of the “Top 50 Innovative Event Professionals” in the event industry.

In 2014, Todd co-founded Hawkins Mikita to pursue his passion for social change & philanthropy. Hawkins Mikita is a social impact agency leading the way in social innovation for key influencers within the entertainment industry looking to make a significant & meaningful impact in the philanthropic & political space. Todd and his team consult and advise a number of celebrities, executives, companies and brands who are committed to making real change and impact.

In addition to managing a fast-paced business, Todd is a civic leader participating in numerous volunteer activities helping to bring about change in our city and country. Additionally, Todd is an active volunteer and board member with numerous organizations including the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and was appointed President of the California African American Museum State Board of Directors by California Governor Jerry Brown.

Wendell Wiggins

Wendell Wiggins was the winner of the Leimert Park Jazz Festival’s Inaugural Art Competition in 2020!

Originally from Washington, DC, his education in the visual arts field began early in life. Upon receiving a Bachelor’s degrees in Illustration, Photography & Graphic Arts from the Cleveland Institute of Art, Wendell relocated to California to pursue a career in Illustration & Graphic Design. Shortly thereafter, he joined a Visual Effects company, creating and directing title animation for various film and television projects. In Hollywood, he also pursued other passions like photography and travel, which led to journeys around the world to places such as Brazil, India, Thailand, Central America, Europe, Hawaii & the Caribbean Islands. Each experience inspired him to begin painting & drawing on a full-time basis. Since 2001, he has been awarded & offered various commissions to create art, murals, a wide variety of commercial projects and to exhibit in galleries & museums across the state, the nation & abroad. Presently, Wendell produces works as an Independent Visual Artist/Designer & Director for a wide variety of clients from his Studio in the Beverlywood neighborhood of Los Angeles.