Tim Lennon—a familiar face for many in Seattle's art and music scenes due to his work with the Vera Project, the Office of Arts and Culture and more—has been named the first executive director of LANGSTON, a new non-profit arts organization dedicated to the cultivation of community through Black arts and culture.

"Tim’s combined experience working at the City of Seattle, with local festivals, and with artists, makers, and non-profit organizations makes him the ideal person to carry out the mission of this new arts organization and launch it to success," says multimedia artist and board president Inye Wokoma. "We are so excited that such a dynamic local arts leader and community collaborator will be LANGSTON’s first executive director.”

LANGSTON is housed at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute in the Central District, which has been operated as a community center by the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture since 1972. Over the past three years, an intensive community engagement process has explored how to best reenvision this resource to serve contemporary needs.

“I’m inspired by Seattle’s artists, collaborators and community partners who are passionate about the legacy of LANGSTON, and I look forward to continuing work of establishing a thriving arts and cultural institution in this historic space named for one of America’s most prolific artists of African descent," says Lennon. "In partnership with the local and broader community, we will build upon the existing legacy and further cultivate Black brilliance through robust arts and cultural programs."