About Us
HISTORY
The GR818ERS (pronounced ‘great-one-eighters’) was founded in 2010 by youth as a grassroots collective dedicated to improving racial and social tensions in the San Fernando Valley. As high school students, they organized themselves in an effort to combat the disenfranchisement and stereotypes they fell victim to as residents of Pacoima, a Los Angeles neighborhood challenged with poverty. For the past decade, The GR818ERS have harnessed their raw talent, creative genius and passion for Hip Hop culture to provide positive outlets for youth and families alike to grow, heal and organize with their community. They implement arts and athletics programming, community development projects and cultural events to empower youth and young adults to become leaders in their community. The founding members of The GR818ERS are regarded as neighborhood heroes and are global leaders in Hip Hop education and community activism.
In 2017, The GR818ERS established AWOKE, a nonprofit organization dedicated to furthering its impact, and supporting similar efforts in Los Angeles County and globally. AWOKE envisions a world anchored in the principles of collaboration and equity - fusing culture, creativity, and service. It engages artists, athletes, and activists as changemakers by connecting them to service opportunities in their community. AWOKE works to improve access to the arts and athletics, increase civic engagement, and foster positive youth and community development. After nearly a decade of building the movement, they opened the UNITE Cultural Center (UNITE) in Canoga Park in 2019. UNITE serves as a hub for creative transformation, civic engagement, and collective healing. The City Council of Los Angeles, California State Assembly and United States Congress recognizes The GR818ERS and UNITE as driving forces in youth and community development across Los Angeles County and beyond. The GR818ERS and UNITE are projects of AWOKE, a charitable tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code (Tax ID: 82-4885269).
VISION
AWOKE is a global leader in youth development and creative civic engagement. As a force in community empowerment, AWOKE envisions a world anchored in the principles of collaboration, inclusivity and cultural equity.
MISSION
AWOKE produces community development projects, arts and athletics programming, and cultural events to empower youth and young adults to become local leaders. By investing in young people, AWOKE builds community capacity to drive social change.
