Leila Steinberg, 2Pac’s First Manager, Confirmed as Guest Speaker at the African Cultural Festival.
The African Cultural Festival is proud to announce that Leila Steinberg - renowned educator, writer, poet, and the first manager of the late legendary rapper Tupac Shakur - has been confirmed as a Guest Speaker at this year’s celebration of Africa’s enduring cultural heritage.
Leila Steinberg is globally recognized for her unwavering belief in the power of Black talent and her lifelong commitment to nurturing voices that shape culture. In 1989, she launched The Microphone Sessions, a writing workshop in the Bay Area that attracted a teenage Tupac Shakur. Recognizing his extraordinary gift, she mentored him in writing, performance, and activism, and soon became his first manager—booking his earliest performances, negotiating his entry into the music industry, and paving the way for his groundbreaking career. Her guidance helped Tupac secure his first significant opportunity with Digital Underground, ultimately launching him into global superstardom.
In a recent video message, Leila expressed her excitement about joining the African Cultural Festival, stating:
“We have the opportunity to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Africa.”
Beyond her historic role with Tupac, Leila has spent more than four decades shaping the global music industry. She has worked with and promoted artists including Digital Underground, Above the Law, O.J. Ekemode and the Nigerian Allstars, Mac Mall, Hieroglyphics, The Coup, Dead Prez, Jurassic 5, and Earl Sweatshirt. Her early immersion in Afrobeat, while touring as a dancer and vocalist with O.J. Ekemode and the Nigerian Allstars, established a deep connection to African music that continues to inform her cross-cultural collaborations today.
Currently serving as President of Gala Music, Leila is pioneering a new era of artist ownership and fan engagement through Web3 technology. She is also the founder of AIM4TheHeART, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that empowers at-risk youth through emotional literacy, creative writing, and performance workshops. She co-teaches Race, Stereotypes, and the Rule of Law at USC Law School with Professor Jody Armour, using hip-hop as a lens to explore justice, equity, and cultural identity.
Leila’s legacy and influence have been immortalized in mainstream media: she was portrayed by Lauren Cohan in the biopic All Eyez On Me (2017) and featured prominently in FX’s award-winning docuseries Dear Mama (2023).
Today, she continues to manage acclaimed rapper Earl Sweatshirt while mentoring the next generation of artists.
Her participation in the African Cultural Festival reflects her life’s work—bridging continents, elevating culture, and ensuring that Africa’s rhythm, resilience, and creativity remain central to the global story of music and identity.
About the African Cultural Festival
The African Cultural Festival is a premier global platform showcasing Africa’s richness in art, music, fashion, literature, and cultural exchange. By bringing together creators, innovators, and thought leaders from across the world, the festival celebrates Africa’s legacy while shaping its future.