Lucas Rivera Bridges Art, Activism, and Afro-Latinx Narratives with Powerful Storytelling
A Multidisciplinary Artist Combining Literature, Music, and Cultural Strategy To Uplift Marginalized Voices
Lucas Rivera’s art merges literature, music, and activism to amplify Afro-Latinx voices, blending personal experience with cultural equity and community-driven storytelling.
Lucas Rivera is an artist whose journey transcends multiple mediums—writing, music, and activism—unifying them into a singular force for cultural equity. His work, whether written or performed, embodies the Afro-Latinx experience, combining fierce authenticity with a commitment to uplifting voices from the margins. As both an artist and a cultural strategist, Rivera continues to break barriers, transform communities, and leave a lasting legacy in his wake.
Lucas Rivera’s work is a profound fusion of storytelling, activism, and cultural empowerment, reshaping the way we perceive art’s role in society.
Lucas Rivera is not just a writer—he is a force. A visionary. A storyteller whose words pulse with the rhythm of ancestral drums, whose art is an act of reclamation, and whose leadership has redefined the landscape of cultural equity and community-driven storytelling. With a career that seamlessly intertwines literature, music, and activism, Rivera stands as a testament to the transformative power of art.
His critically acclaimed book, My AfroRican State of Soul, is more than a literary achievement—it is a sonic and poetic odyssey through identity, resilience, and self-discovery. Blending memoir with verse, Rivera crafts a narrative that is both deeply personal and universally resonant, earning him prestigious accolades such as the Titan Book Award and the International Latino Book Award. But his impact does not end on the page. As a musician, he fuses the ancestral sounds of Bomba, Rumba, and Hip-Hop, creating immersive performances that bridge generations and cultures. His work, whether in literature, music, or cultural strategy, is an unrelenting call to honour the past while shaping the future.
Beyond his artistry, Rivera has been a catalyst for change in the cultural sector. From spearheading the creation of Grand Park in Los Angeles—transforming it into a vibrant hub of artistic and civic engagement—to founding Sakul Creative, an agency dedicated to empowering artists and organisations, his contributions have left an indelible mark on the industry. His leadership at organisations such as Fairplex and The Music Center has redefined how communities experience and access art, ensuring that historically marginalised voices are amplified, not silenced.
In this conversation, Rivera shares insights into the challenges of writing with raw honesty, the fusion of art and activism, and the responsibility of storytelling in an ever-evolving social landscape. His words are both an inspiration and a challenge—to create boldly, to honour one’s roots, and to never apologise for taking up space.
Originally published in Reader’s House Magazine.
