Meet April La’Prezz

We were lucky to catch up with April La’Prezz recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi April, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

For me, resilience is rooted in my journey and commitment to making a difference for young people who, like I once did, need access to the arts to discover their potential. Growing up in Atlanta, I saw firsthand how transformative performing and visual arts can be, and I was fortunate to participate in programs that gave me confidence, discipline, and a strong sense of self. When many of these programs started disappearing due to lack of funding, I knew I had to step up.

The drive to keep going, even when things get tough, comes from understanding that I’m not just creating opportunities—I’m building a bridge for under served youth who might otherwise miss out on this path to self-expression and personal growth. It’s seeing the impact we’re making and the spark in a young artist’s eyes that fuels my resilience. This journey has its challenges, but my passion to keep arts alive for the next generation keeps me pushing forward.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I’m April La’Prezz, and I’m the founder of Xhibition Studios Performing & Visual Arts Co., a nonprofit organization I started in 2021 to support under served youth in Atlanta who want to explore and express themselves through the arts. Growing up in Atlanta, I had the chance to experience performing arts programs that truly shaped who I am today. I was introduced to music and performance at an early age, and it gave me a platform to build confidence, form connections, and develop discipline. Seeing how the arts transformed my own life, I became passionate about making sure that young people today still have these opportunities, especially as many schools face funding cuts in arts programs.

At Xhibition Studios, we’re dedicated to creating a space where young artists can find their voices, explore their talents, and grow. Our programs emphasize self-expression, creativity, and collaboration, and we focus specifically on underserved communities that lack these resources. Recently, we launched two new programs that I’m particularly excited about: Voices Through Art, an eight-week visual arts program, and The Stage Cypher, an eight-week performing arts program that culminates in a talent show performance. These programs not only nurture skills but also instill confidence and teamwork, giving youth an unforgettable experience to showcase their creativity.

I’m also working to expand our reach by launching a Community Service/Internship Program, designed for high school juniors, seniors, and college students who need community service hours or internship experience. This program provides students with hands-on opportunities to support the arts, receive mentorship, and build valuable skills in a flexible, supportive environment.

What I find most exciting about our work at Xhibition Studios is seeing how the arts help young people thrive, grow, and discover new possibilities. It’s incredibly rewarding to witness their transformations, knowing that we’re helping to keep the arts alive and accessible. Through our programs, events, and partnerships, I’m committed to building a legacy that empowers youth and keeps creativity at the heart of our communities.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Reflecting on my journey, three qualities have truly driven my path: resilience, empathy, and a commitment to lifelong learning.

Resilience has been essential, especially in the nonprofit space where resources can be scarce, and the challenges can seem overwhelming. Resilience isn’t just about enduring challenges but about using each obstacle as fuel to move forward. For anyone starting out, my advice is to embrace setbacks as learning opportunities. Resilience builds as you learn to reframe failures and use them as stepping stones to the next goal. Take time to reflect, recalibrate, and keep pushing forward with an unwavering commitment to your mission.

Empathy is at the heart of everything we do at Xhibition Studios. Understanding the unique needs, strengths, and dreams of young people, particularly those from underserved backgrounds, allows us to build programs that truly serve and empower them. For those early on, I recommend spending time getting to know your audience deeply. Volunteer, connect, and seek out their stories—empathy grows from listening and learning. The more you understand those you serve, the more impactful your work will be.

Lifelong Learning has kept me motivated and equipped me with the tools I need to adapt, grow, and innovate. The arts, education, and nonprofit spaces are always evolving, and keeping up is essential. For beginners, I’d suggest adopting a mindset of constant curiosity. Read widely, attend workshops, and seek mentors. Every new skill or piece of knowledge is a way to strengthen your mission. Remember, you don’t need to know everything upfront—just be willing to keep learning along the way.

For anyone starting out, I’d say focus on these qualities as foundations. Resilience will keep you moving, empathy will guide you, and learning will expand your impact. Each of these will be important as you build something meaningful, no matter the challenges you face.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

Absolutely! Collaboration is at the heart of Xhibition Studios’ mission, and we’re always open to partnering with those who share our vision of empowering youth through the arts. We’re particularly interested in connecting with individuals and organizations passionate about arts education, youth development, and community engagement. This includes artists, educators, mental health professionals, and companies committed to making a positive social impact. We’re also seeking high school and college students who need community service hours or internship experience and are eager to support our programs.

Whether you’re an artist looking to mentor young talent, a business interested in sponsorship, or a professional with skills to share, we’d love to connect and explore how we can work together to broaden our impact. For anyone interested in collaborating, please reach out to me directly via email at contact@xhibitionstudios.org for more information. Together, we can create new opportunities for Atlanta’s youth to explore, grow, and shine through the arts.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.xhibitionstudios.org
• Instagram: xhibition_studios
• Other: TiKToK: @xhibition_studios