Avenger of the Week | Jonelle Procope
Jonelle Procope. Via Twitter
Jonelle Procope had an impressive career in the corporate world and was always involved in civic and community groups in New York City before she took on the top job at the legendary but then-financially challenged Apollo Theater in Harlem in 2003.
As President and CEO of the Apollo, she has led the Apollo Theater’s 21st century ongoing transformation into a vibrant non-profit performing arts organization by working with its 30-member Board of Trustees, increasing its base of support, expanding its education and community programs and creating large-scale artistic initiatives. With music at its core, the Apollo's programming extends to dance, theater, spoken word, and more.
Built in 1914 and originally a burlesque house where Black people were not allowed, later in the 1930’s the 1,500-seat Apollo became a showcase for Black culture and talent starting with Amateur Night. A 17-year-old Ella Fitzgerald won one of the first Amateur Night competitions and the venue has launched or advanced many other careers including Sarah Vaughan, James Brown, Dizzy Gillespie, Cab Calloway, Aretha Franklin, Isley Brothers, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Mariah Carey and Lauren Hill to name just a few. It is known as the Capital of Black Entertainment and is an economic force for Harlem and New York City.
During her tenure, Procope has led the Apollo Rising Capital Campaign that raised $96 million to restore the interior, façade and marquee of the neoclassic style theater, established the Apollo Legends Hall of Fame, the Apollo Theater Education & Community Outreach including the Apollo Theater Academy Summer Internship Program and Career Day, the Young Producers Club and large scale festivals such as the annual Africa Now! Festival and the Apollo Uptown Hall series of performing arts presentations, activities, and events that explore social issues of particular relevance to the Harlem community.
Shuttered by the Covid pandemic, the Apollo reopened in August with a free concert for the community. The next phase in its history will be the opening of the Victoria Theater, an old movie theater renovated to create 199-seat and 99-seat performance spaces down the street from the Apollo on 125th Street. It is part of a public-private venture to include residential units, retail space, and a hotel to be managed by another entity.
As Procope told supporters at a virtual benefit in the spring:
“The Apollo has never been just a building. It is the embodiment of an ideal, a mission and a spirit that is more expansive than can be held in our building...Let the arts remind you that brighter days are ahead and the Apollo will be there resounding!”
Born in Baltimore in 1951 and raised in Philadelphia, Procope’s mother was a teacher, and her father was a businessman and hospital administrator. She graduated from the Philadelphia High School for Girls and was an economics major at Howard University. After earning her law degree at St. John’s University, she went to work at a prestigious New York law firm. From there she moved to Viacom Entertainment International Inc. (MTV, Showtime) specializing in entertainment law, then handled legal affairs for Bristol-Myers Squibb before becoming vice president of Blackground Records, an independent record company. She left the record company and her seat on the Board of the Apollo Theater when she became its President and CEO.
Procope is currently on the boards of Lincoln Center, SiriusXM Radio, the 125th Street Harlem Business Improvement District, NYC & Company, and the Gracie Mansion Conservancy. Previously she had served on the Boards of National Public Radio, the New York Women's Forum and the Arthur Ashe Learning Center.
For her leadership of the arts and cultural icon that is the Apollo Theater and her ongoing commitment to civic and community involvement, Jonelle Procope is our Avenger of the Week.
This week we honor @jonelleprocope, President and CEO of the @ApolloTheater as the #GenderAvenger #AvengeroftheWeek for her leadership in the arts and enduring commitment to civic engagement.