I'm Jonathan Kapart and welcome to Kapart. The Apollo Theater is the legendary performing arts venue in the heart of Harlem.

Crown Jewel in 125th Street that was the launching pad for just about every major African American artist in the 20th century.

Today it remains a can't miss stop for merging black artists and iconic stars.

After 90 years, the Apollo is now the Apollo Performing Arts Center and will

undergo its first ever expansion and renovation. And now leading the charge is

Michelle Ebanks, who became its new president and CEO in July.

In this conversation first recorded for Washington Post Live on December 14th,

you'll learn about my connection to the Apollo Theater, E-Banks' stewardship of the

Apollo's 80 million dollar capital campaign, and how her prior two decades of leadership

at essence Communications perfectly positions

E-banks to take the Apollo Theater to the next level.

Well this is sort of like a come full circle old home week kind of moment because as I'm sure you know in 1988, I'm sorry,

1998 and 99 my colleagues and I on the New York Daily News

Editorial Board conducted a 16-month campaign to save the Apollo from financial

mismanagement which eventually led to the appointment of Janelle Procope, whose leadership over the ensuing 20 years not only put the Apollo on stable footing, but also set it up for future success.

And now the rains are in your hands.

How will you expand on the Apollo's truly positive trajectory.

Yes, no pressure at all, Jonathan.

No, this is an exciting time of change and opportunity.

And, you know, Janelle Proco for her leadership over 20 years for 20 years you know really with the community with the board with so many supporters really created this you know

trajectory for the Apollo and you know launched the capital campaign

80 million dollar capital campaign Apollo Rising, of which 67 million has been raised.

...