Our founders
Born and raised in Los Angeles and lifelong best friends, Kenyan Armitage and Malin Smith founded 24LA in the immediate aftermath of the Los Angeles fires, driven by a deep love for the city and community that raised them. What began as neighbors helping neighbors has grown into a long-term commitment to helping communities heal, reconnect, and rebuild—reimagining what recovery can look like through art, revitalization, and the power of community.
malin smith
brings a background in business communications and project management, leading the partnerships, strategy, and operations that have helped transform 24LA from a grassroots relief effort into an organization building a new model for long-term, community-driven disaster recovery.
Kenyan armitage
is a multidisciplinary artist whose work centers on public art, community identity, and placemaking. Her creative vision helps shape 24LA’s approach to long-term recovery—using art, revitalized shared spaces, and community participation to restore connection, belonging, and hope after disaster.