After four days of events in the San Fernando Valley celebrating their Quinceñera, the 15th anniversary of the nonprofit, the GR818ERS held its closing reception on Aug. 18 at the Taxco Theatre in Canoga Park with a gallery exhibition and the premiere of a mini-documentary showcasing their growth and legacy.
The evening was the culmination of community events that began on Aug. 14 with a “stream-a-thon” of the nonprofit’s years of accomplishments and successful projects, then continued through the weekend with street dance battles and an outdoor festival in Canoga Park, where they are currently based.
More than a hundred people gathered at the theater for the special occasion, where the exhibit not only featured lots of photos of the GR818ERS throughout the years, but also large paintings on plywood panels by Levi Ponce of notables, including home-grown musician Ritchie Valens, boxer Muhammad Ali and painter Salvador Dalí. Additionally, the GR818ERS paid tribute to Ponce, a renowned muralist who, years ago, brought his talent to the group during the early days of his career.
The three co-founders of the GR818ERS – Pacoima natives Pierre Arreola and brothers Eric and Lorenzo Chapman – reflected on their journey, founding the nonprofit in 2010 when they were still high school students as a way to combat the disenfranchisement and stereotypes they were often victims of.
“The inspiration behind the GR818ERS is actually multifold,” Arreola, executive director, said. “It’s a story of trauma to transformation, it’s a story of inspiration from our ancestors and our elders and it’s a story about the power that the arts, athletics and culture have to improve our lives and well-being.
“When we first started, I was in a pretty dark place, having been kicked out of my family home and being in this mental space where I didn’t feel like I could really be my truest self,” he continued. “The GR818ERS gave me that. Being with Eric and Lorenzo gave me the opportunity to dig deep within myself to understand myself and find love through the arts, athletics and culture.”
When looking back at their impact, Artistic Director Eric Chapman said that, since founding the GR818ERS as high school seniors, they’ve been able to inspire generations of other people – some of whom now work for them.
“That’s one of the proudest accomplishments that we have – that we’ve been able to really make a difference in a lot of kids’ lives,” Eric Chapman said. “Not just in a broad way but directly.”
Arreola recounted the story of Leanne Chapman, who he said reflects the impact that the GR818ERS have had. She was with the nonprofit from the beginning, since she was 10 years old, helping out with events and as a leader in the GR818ERS junior leadership program before becoming a key staff member while still going to school to earn her teaching credentials. She now works as an elementary school teacher.
“Hearing them [Arreola and Eric Chapman] talk about our impact locally is amazing, and that just reminds me of our impact globally and us being able to have that global impact for the last 15 years, especially with our style of programming and our events,” said Creative Director Lorenzo Chapman.
“Now, our events are recognized as one of the best street dance events in the world,” he continued, “and what’s amazing about street [dancing] is there are art forms created by Americans in marginalized communities, like break [dancing], that … you constantly see in the entertainment industry.”
Looking ahead, they hope to continue the GR818ERS for another 15 years, where they hope to grow into other communities around the country and cultivate the next generation of leadership.
“Beyond that, … the GR818ERS will cement its place as an international organization,” Arreola said. “As an organization that has helped build several movements around the United States and across the globe, regardless of borders. That the GR818ERS continue to serve as a beacon of hope to not just our local artistic scene … but folks globally and really represent the true tenets of hip hop culture that we believe in.”