Brad Gluckstein, a real estate executive by day and an avid salsa dancer by night, is the founder and majority -owner of The Conga Room – the celebrity-owned, renowned Latin music nightclub at L.A. LIVE and CEO/Founder of Conga Kids, 501 c (3) non-profit that teaches dance to underserved school communities totaling over 10,000 kids per annum.
In 1998, Mr. Gluckstein assembled a group of celebrity owners including Jimmy Smits, Jennifer Lopez, Paul Rodriguez and Sheila E. to create the Conga Room, a world-class venue for Latin music in Los Angeles. Located in the Miracle Mile neighborhood of L.A., The Conga Room hosted iconic performances by influential artists including Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Carlos Santana, and Buena Vista Social Club.
In 2008, The Conga Room relocated to L.A. LIVE to include celebrity and athlete co-owners will.i.am, Trevor Ariza, Baron Davis, and Amaury Nolasco. The downtown L.A. LIVE venue diversified its music to include Hip-hop, rock, and R&B performances by Lenny Kravitz, Prince, Stevie Wonder, and Avici. The Conga Room has featured internationally recognized Latin artists at the L.A. LIVE venue including the Gypsy Kings, Prince Royce, J Balvin, Maluma, Bad Bunny Ozuna.
Along with The Conga Room and Conga Kids, Mr. Gluckstein is the founder and CEO of Apex Realty (1986). It oversees a robust portfolio of retail, industrial, mixed-use neighborhood shopping centers, and apartment buildings. Apex Realty has recently focused its efforts on “impact development” in underserved communities and works with the faith-based community of South L.A. including West Angeles CDC to develop these projects. In 2018, West Angeles Community Development Corporation named Mr. Gluckstein Business Partner of the Year.
Active in philanthropic endeavors, Mr. Gluckstein shares his love of dance with L.A.’s youth and founded Conga Kids in 2016. A non-profit, 501c (3) corporate citizenship partner of The Conga Room, Conga Kids utilizes a standards-based program to teach fifth and sixth grade students partnership dances including Salsa, Merengue, Swing, Tango, and Foxtrot. Conga Kids develops students’ creativity and sets a framework for respect, teamwork, confidence, and leadership. Conga Kids currently reaches more than 10,000 students in 11 school districts throughout L.A. County. Mr. Gluckstein also serves as an Advisory Board member of the Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission and the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs Board of Advisors. He is a very proud father of 2 daughters, Leila and Sonya, and son Jonah and lives in Los Angeles, California with his wife, Yanka Burgos.