PRESS RELEASE
Fighting Corruption, Fraud and Waste
Mar 9, 2026 Updated Mar 16, 2026
Bryant Acosta may look young, but his resume is impressive. As a chief creative officer, he has built systems using advanced technology and helped shape global brands. As the CEO of Nightbreed, he has brought communities together through events that amplify marginalized voices and create safe spaces for all people.
“The leadership that we have, they’re old school, so they’re operating on a 1960s-70s mentality, and we’re in a whole new era.” says mayoral hopeful Bryant Acosta.
Bryant Acosta may look young, but his resume is impressive. As a chief creative officer, he has built systems using advanced technology and helped shape global brands. As the CEO of Nightbreed, he has brought communities together through events that amplify marginalized voices and create safe spaces for all people.
He is also a first-generation American, openly gay Latino, and he is running for LA mayor alongside around 40 other candidates.
“I did my research on my opponents, and I don't see anybody that's bringing the experience that I'm bringing to the table,” said Acosta. “No shade to people, but there are a lot of community organizers, lawyers, people that are working in the public space, but they don't have the organizational skills and multimillion-dollar budget experience. They don't have multidisciplinary team experience. I feel like that is my lane and I'm sticking to.”
On a particular afternoon in late February, Acosta is canvassing in Historic State Park. The native Angeleno is fired up because from his viewpoint, you can't point to anything in the city that's working anymore.
“I've seen the rise and sort of fall of Los Angeles, and it's hit home for me for so many reasons
because I don't recognize the city that I grew up in,” he said. “After last year, I took a year to reflect on if this is a space I wanted to be in because I'm more of an artist, and I love my time to create. Politics is a whole other beast, but I felt like I can't be a social media warrior anymore. That's not cutting it. I looked around and 17 of my acquaintances and friends are out of work right now, and I just don't see it getting any better. So, you know what? I have this professional knowledge and understanding, and I need to be able to put my money where my mouth is and stand up not for just them but also the communities at large. Like the Latino and queer communities are under fire right now.”
“LA doesn't have an ideas problem, it has an execution problem,” he continued. “That's where I come in as the builder, the architect, and the person that's able to get things done.”
Acosta is young, but according to 2019–2023 Census data, approximately 54-55% of the population in the city of Los Angeles is under 40 years old. Perhaps the people are ready for the next generation to take the lead?
“Canvassing has been like a breath of fresh air because I love people,” explained Acosta. “I think right now what we see in politics is a generational divide. The leadership that we have, they're old school, so they're operating on a 1960s-70s mentality, and we're in a whole new era. They're not even taking things into consideration that are affecting people, like the advancement of technology. I have a tech background, and I know that we can use things like AI for the betterment of our society. Many of them are afraid, so they leave the job for people like Elon Musk. I'm like, no, he's taking everything that is good about something and making it horrible and making it work against us.”
When Acosta is not campaigning, according to his site, he’s dropping beats and living for music, art and fashion. It is why he believes he just might be the right person to make LA great again.
“I think my candidacy is very interesting because you don't see many artists going for political office, but we no longer have the option to play it safe,” Acosta shared. “I'm bringing a fresh perspective. I've worked in corporate jobs. I was always having to get from point A to point Z while hitting every touch point in between and being able to bring all those things together for clients. This is our Tim Gunn make-it-work moment.”
Acosta’s bold new blueprint lists six pillars: transparency and accountability; restoring affordability; uplift and protect; a prosperity plan; empowering local businesses; and a green energy upgrade. For example, under the “uplift and protect” pillar, the plan will outline how the community will move forward regarding ICE and push back as a community. Acosta plans to announce additional policy points this month.
“I really think that we can't do anything until we go into transparency and accountability, because without that, all of this means nothing, because if we don't know what kind of money we're actually dealing with, if we don't hold our leadership accountable for things like fraud, waste and abuse, then all this is going to fall to the wayside because we need to build trust back into the city,” he emphasized.
“For example, (City Councilmember) Nithya Ramen just spent $1 million on two bathrooms by Runyon Canyon,” he continued. “I worked in construction, building retail spaces. I could have done that for $30,000. Why didn't we look to brand partnerships? Why didn't we reach out to Nike or Adidas and say, hey, guys, here is the world-famous Runyon Canyon, do you guys want to give us the bathrooms and you guys can name this the Nike Trail or something for the year?”
Most of Acosta’s work running his small business happens in the summer, which means his calendar is currently filled with canvassing and community-building.
“I'm not afraid of anything, and I can back up what I'm projecting in my vision for the city with all the homework I've done,” said Acosta. “I want to be able to help with everything that's happening in almost every sector with jobs, ICE, unaffordable housing, grocery prices — we can do better. With my leadership skills and empathy, I think it's the perfect combination to be able to make real change for the people of Los Angeles.”
