CROSS ALLAN

Christian Bustos is a Kapampangan-American, born in the Mission District and raised in the Excelsior District of San Francisco, California. Christian is a San Francisco State University Alumni, where he received his Bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Electronic Communication Arts with an Emphasis in Business. Within the arts community, he’s known as Cross Allan, who founded and works with the arts nonprofit, Lyrical Opposition. He also serves as a spoken word poet and graphic designer. Cross is the Executive Producer for the documentary and short films for the Re-Entrification series. One random fact is that his favorite movie is Scott Pilgrim vs. The World.

His whole life he’s been infatuated by the synergy of culture and organic produce. The blending of poetry and kale. The mixing of hip-hop and quinoa. The integration of gospel choirs and Himalayan salts.

“I am a futurist that is passionate about art. I like to see what’s coming next, and I want neither nor my BIPOC brothers and sisters to be excluded. As a long-time San Francisco native, Filipino by birth and growing up with African-American, Latino, and Asian-Pacific Islander friends, I want my historically-marginalized peoples to be ahead of the game. I desire that they have a full view of the creative horizon, and be equipped with the knowledge and access to lead out in emerging artistic forays. Nothing is more important to me than seeing artists of color live out their own passions, and to bring interpretation to what’s going on in our world through their creative lenses and out from their distinctive cultural identities and social locations. I have always gravitated towards art that is disruptive, that disrupts the status quo so that a way can be paved for a more just and equitable society. I’m driven, therefore, to provide support for otherwise-marginalized artists not only to succeed but to be prophetic with their craft. This is, and always has been, the mission and purpose of LO.”