Our FOUNDER

Brad Gluckstein is a community-minded entrepreneur born and raised in Los Angeles, California. He is the founder and majority owner of The Conga Room, the celebrity-owned Latin music nightclub at L.A. LIVE. Gluckstein is also the President and founder of Conga Kids, a non-profit organization operating under the 501 (c)(3) tax code. The organization's objective is to enhance the social and emotional well-being of children in underprivileged communities by providing an inclusive curriculum based on dance and music, currently serving approximately 50,000 kids annually. 

In 1999, Mr. Gluckstein brought together a group of celebrity owners, including Jimmy Smits, Jennifer Lopez, Paul Rodriguez, and Sheila E., to create The Conga Room on Wilshire Blvd. in Los Angeles. This world-class venue merged an “east and west” demographic for the first time. The legendary venue witnessed a remarkable lineup of award-winning artists, including Celia Cruz, Buena Vista Social Club, Tito Puente, and Carlos Santana. In 2009, the Conga Room relocated to L.A. LIVE, across the Crypto.com Arena in Downtown Los Angeles. Amaury Nolasco, Baron Davis, Trevor Ariza, and will.i.am joined as investors, and the venue evolved to include diverse music genres. 

His love for music, culture, and community led him to establish Conga Kids in 2016, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization committed to promoting social and emotional well-being through dance and music. Conga Kids’ inclusive curriculum highlights the African Diaspora dances including Salsa, Merengue, Cumbia, Authentic Jazz (Charleston), Hip-Hop, and Reggaetón. The program is focused on teaching diversity, equity, and inclusivity, as well as social and emotional learning strategies. Presently, Conga Kids is active in 14 school districts, several community organizations including Boys & Girls Club and YMCA, reaching over 50,000 children annually in Los Angeles and Orange County. 

Brad Gluckstein is the founder and CEO of Apex Realty, which has operated a portfolio of retail, industrial, shopping centers, and apartment buildings since 1986. Apex Realty focuses on impact development in underserved communities and collaborates with faith-based organizations like West Los Angeles CDC in South Los Angeles, which named him Business Partner of the Year in 2018. 

Mr. Gluckstein is also an Advisory Board member for the Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission and the UCLA Luskin School Public Affairs. He is a proud father of two daughters,Leila and Sonya, and a son named Jonah. He resides in Los Angeles with his wife, YankaBurgos.