Tamala Lewis doesn’t just have a seat at the table, she is designing and building new ones, making sure the whole community is invited to sit. As the Senior Director of Community Affairs at AEG’s Dignity Health Sports Park, home of the 6X MLS Champions Los Angeles Galaxy, Tamala orchestrates more than events, she cultivates joy, champions representation, and engineers opportunities for Black and Brown communities across Los Angeles County.
From her early days as a hip-hop artist and dancer to her current role shaping the cultural blueprint of LA ahead of global moments like the Olympics and World Cup, Tamala’s journey is a masterclass in perseverance, passion, and purpose. Whether she’s creating platforms like the Women in Entertainment Luncheon or mentoring the next generation with her signature “4 Ups,” Tamala proves that leadership isn’t just about titles, it’s about impact. In this exclusive interview, we talk balancing big-stage responsibilities with motherhood, reclaiming narratives in global entertainment, and the legacy she’s building, one beat, one boundary-breaking moment at a time.
Talk about your work, what you do, and how you balance your demanding career with family and personal life.
I’m the Senior Director of Community Affairs for AEG’s Dignity Health Sports Park, the home of the 6X MLS Champions Los Angeles Galaxy. In this position, I oversee the public/community service, charity events, community events, youth programs, Summer Concert Series, and the creation of the Women in Entertainment (Film, TV, Music, Sports, and Fashion) event. My work-life balance comes from a very supportive husband and family. I do realize that support is something that everyone does not have. I also prioritize, set boundaries, practice self-care, and have a peaceful moment as much as possible. It’s not easy, but necessary. That is something that everyone should try to accomplish for themselves and their family.
You began your journey in hip-hop, a world rooted in rhythm, expression, and culture. How has that creative background influenced your leadership style as Senior Director at AEG?
Hip Hop & R&B, in a lot of ways, raised me. It impacted me through music, fashion, language, social, and political aspects, and it gave me a voice. Music videos were our social media back in the day. I grew up around the music and fashion industry. My parents were in both. My name is Tamala (from Tamla/Motown), my mom tried to be different and add an ‘A’ (laugh).
Music was around my brother and me every day. I remember my dad’s big Peaches Records and Tapes crate delivered to the front door every month, filled with new vinyl records. It looked like a crate of fruit, and I could not wait to open it and see what music we got!! It’s funny, but you knew it was time to get up and start cleaning on Saturday morning when the music blasted through the house. I was a recording artist, recording with the best in the business, and a Hip-Hop dancer for several amazing artists touring around the world for years. That learned discipline, knowledge, Aries determination, confidence, and passion (laugh) helped me as a woman in this industry and my everyday life.
Being married to an Olympic athlete and raising powerhouse daughters, how has your family dynamic shaped your views on discipline, ambition, and legacy? For me and a lot of families in our Black and Brown communities, discipline, ambition, and legacy were placed on us at birth. A lot of us back in the day grew up with parents and grandparents who had seen, fought, and conquered so much in their lives. We are our ancestors’ wildest dreams. We were given “Outside the House Rules” of life on what to do and what not to do, which varied at different ages. Sadly, as a parent, I’m still laying down a lot of the same rules to our girls that my great-grandmother, grandmother, and mom did. Some people had different life circumstances and may have taken a different road. Back in the day, there was a village in every neighborhood looking out and making sure you got home before the streetlights came on. My husband and I grew up in that environment, and we try and use those same values for our girls. Our girls are living in a different world, but we try to make clear to them that discipline, ambition, morals, love, and understanding who they are will always take them in the right direction.
You’re now a central figure in shaping LA’s cultural experience over the next four years, with the Super Bowl, NBA All-Star Weekend, World Cup, and Olympics ahead. What’s the common thread that ties all these events together in your vision?
Community! All these events do not fall under us, but all of these events will bring the world to Los Angeles. It will be all our responsibilities to make sure this is an amazing experience for our communities and guests where we work and play.
AEG is known for its global entertainment dominance, but how do you ensure that local communities, especially Black and Brown communities, are represented and empowered through these mega-events?
We work in what I call the “Joy Business.” When you come to a stadium, arena, or theater, everyone is cheering, laughing, hugging, singing, high-fiving, and crying all together! We have no idea what people are dealing with before they arrive, and your background and where you come from do not matter here. From the moment you pull into the parking lot, our responsibility is to bring pure joy for the few hours that we have you, and hope that the joy will stay with you when you leave us. It’s important for everyone to have a seat at the table at any business to understand your community and guests’ needs. Our Community Relations departments are the best that do it with amazing programs and opportunities for youth and families in our community.
What’s a behind-the-scenes moment from your career that was so defining, it changed how you view the power of entertainment and sports forever?
Well, it is definitely not a behind-the-scenes moment, but I would say 2020! That was an unbelievable year for the world. The sports and entertainment industry cried, worked, stood up, and spoke up together for change and to support our communities. Those moments will live with me forever.
From the dance floor to the boardroom, you’ve moved through industries that don’t always welcome women of color with open arms. What barriers did you have to break, and how do you mentor the next generation to kick through their own doors?
Yes, I have been in many rooms where I was the only woman and woman of color. We have come a long way, but we still have a way to go. My parents have always taught me that I will have challenges. There will be times when you will need to work harder than everyone in the room, but you belong in every room you walk into. I use that same energy whenever I’m speaking to my daughters, young ladies, and mentees. I always give them the “4 Ups—Stand Up, Speak Up, Show Up, and Pull Up someone with you.”
Los Angeles is on the global stage, but it’s also deeply local. What role does culture, specifically hip-hop and Black excellence, play in how LA tells its story to the world?
Hip Hop and Black excellence are a huge part of every city around the world. The culture from food, music, sports, dance, politics, fashion, everyday household inventions, and more has an LA story. It’s going to be up to all of us to always tell our stories and teach the next generation to do the same.
Your daughters are growing up watching you lead at the highest level. What lessons do you hope they carry from your journey, and what do they teach you about resilience and reinvention?
I hope that the lessons they take from my husband and I is that everything is possible and don’t ever let anyone tell you different. Also, understand that your vibe attracts your tribe; always surround yourself with good people.
As someone who lives at the intersection of sports, entertainment, and culture, what’s your vision for what true inclusivity looks like in these global stages moving forward?
We work in a global business, and inclusivity is part of our DNA through staff, players, talent, and guests, and nothing will change that. Having everyone at every table will always be a benefit to any business’s bottom line.
Let’s fast forward to 2028, after the Olympics close out. What do you hope your personal and professional legacy will be, both in LA and in the global entertainment industry?
Legacy is a very big word, and that starts way before and after 2028. My hope is that throughout my career that I have made a positive impact on the lives of others. We all have a purpose, and I hope I’m doing mine well.
Tamala Lewis is living proof that you can be rooted in culture, raised in rhythm, and still run boardrooms with vision and velocity. She’s not waiting for a seat; she’s designing rooms and building bridges for others to cross. As Los Angeles County readies for its global spotlight, Tamala’s influence reminds us that true power lies in the joy we share, the doors we open, and the legacy we leave behind. She’s not just changing the game; she’s rewriting the playbook. And if you didn’t know her name before, trust me, you will now.
Tonya McKenzie
