Michelle Ebanks, known for her leadership as the president of Essence Communications, is set to become the next president and chief executive of the Apollo Theater in Harlem. According to Ebanks, she understands the value of cultural institutions and their profound impact on the individual lives and society, which is a great fit for the nation’s premier African American performing arts organization.
The appointment follows the exit of Jonelle Procope, who helmed the Apollo Theater for nearly two decades. Procope was responsible for transforming the struggling nonprofit into the largest African American performing arts organization in the country.
Ebanks, who holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Florida, previously led Essence Communications for 18 years, turning the company into a global franchise. One of her most notable accomplishments at Essence Communications was creating the Essence Festival, an annual live music event that draws an audience of hundreds of thousands of people to New Orleans.
The appointment of Ebanks comes at a critical time for the Apollo Theater, which is concluding an $80 million capital fund-raising campaign to fully renovate its 109-year-old building. The main theater will be closed, but the Victoria theaters will still feature programming until spring 2025.
Charles E. Phillips, chairman of the theater’s board, pointed to Ebanks’ experience with the Essence Festival as a primary factor in her appointment. During her time with the music festival, Ebanks proved she understood the type of artistic content that audiences positively respond to. What’s more, her business experience makes her an ideal fit for the Apollo Theater and its partnerships with early-career creators and organizations in Harlem and across the nation.
Ebanks will take up her new role at the Apollo Theater in July, where her focus will be on expanding the existing partnerships the Apollo has with early-career creators and organizations as well as reaching inspiring artistic content to diverse audiences.
