Meet Mark Byrd | Museum Founder & Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mark Byrd and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mark, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
In all honesty creating the “Compton Art & History Museum” was really a vision from God. I had no intentions of creating something like this but I knew if I was committed to what God wanted me to do. I would be blessed and it has definitely been that. I remember getting up the next morning and telling Abigail about our co-founder about my vision. She said she always wanted to create something like that since she was a kid growing up in Compton. But then I told her we have to do it now. That was in May of 2022 and in February of 2023 we opened our doors.

Now in 2025 we are in the position to purchasing a stand alone location.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
When we think about Compton, its known globally around the world. Ive been as far as Japan and multiple other countries and people will always tell me they’ve heard of it. So its interesting it had never had the first art museum until now. I am beyond proud of what we were able to create and I feel that because of where its located and because it didnt exist before this, it sets us a part from other museums.

I have to say God was preparing me for this moment all along. I had no idea that I could found a museum. I installed everything alongside my uncle in law. We created walls on wheels for people to get a different experience when they walk through each exhibition.

in my professional career I was an audio engineer for many years then I started building recording studios in New York City because I needed a space to create and I wanted to help others create within their communities so my created The Variety Group a production company that allowed me to help build multimedia rooms for non-profits that wanted to have peace studios for their community to learn, create, and understand the business of music. Every design, equipment install, was all preparation.

Living in New York itself is hard so I had many challenges and years later creating the museum I was faced with challenges. but nothing I wasnt used too. Getting Compton Museum trademarked, obtaining our business license, running electrical and planning our opening to meet deadlines and more can be overwhelming but God made a way.

The lessons ive learned along the way is to stay focused. and dont give up. God will lead you through the storm because you are meant to walk on water.

Lastly, I want people to know that Compton Museum is going to outlive me, and once we expand even more people are going to come out to support the museums initiatives.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My favorite spot in the city is “Compton Museum” If I were on a date thats where I would take them out. Then after I would do a paint and sip if its on the schedule with “Color Compton”‘. Then head on over to puckerUp lemonade before I get some street tacos on Atlantic Ave, or get some soul food from Almas, or Kitchens Corner, that to me would be a great date.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to thank God, my wife, family, community, team, and every dreamer out there.

Website: https://www.ComptonMusuem.org

Instagram: https://Instagram.com/ComptonMuseum

Twitter: https://x.com/ComptonMuseum

Facebook: https://Facebook.com/ComptonMuseum

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@comptonmuseum