LOS
ANGELES, Dec. 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Live
Nation has expanded its partnership with SoLa Impact's
affiliated foundation, the SoLa Foundation, with an investment to
fund their second state-of-the-art youth center, which will provide
fully subsidized educational and workforce training opportunities
in the entertainment and technology sectors.
Live Nation's contribution enables the completion of the new
campus known as the SoLa Tech and Entertainment Center Powered
by Live Nation. Opening in early 2025, the new
8,500-square-foot technology and entertainment center will be
located on the ground floor of the "Crenshaw Lofts," which is SoLa
Impact's 195-unit workforce and affordable housing development.
The center will host the Live Nation Next Gen Program, a
one-of-a-kind 18-week paid apprenticeship where historically
excluded youth (ages 16-21) from South LA explore entertainment and
production careers and learn directly from Live Nation staff and
executives about various aspects of live entertainment and how
shows come to life – from booking to marketing, operations, and
more. The program will work in partnership with Live Nation's
School of Live. The program culminates with the group promoting,
ticketing and producing their own community concert.
"We are incredibly inspired and encouraged by Live Nation's
continued partnership and their commitment to diversity and
inclusion in the live music industry and beyond," said Sherri Francois, SoLa Impact's Chief Impact
Officer and Executive Director of the SoLa Foundation. "This is
another amazing example of the power of mission-aligned corporate
and nonprofit partners working together with focus and
determination to solve seemingly intractable challenges. Thanks to
Live Nation, the Crenshaw-LAX Corridor will become a hub of tech
and career training. And we're just getting started."
The new SoLa Tech and Entertainment Center Powered by Live
Nation will provide technology and entertainment career education
access to more than 1,000 students annually, with a long-term goal
to close the access gap and inspire future generations to pursue
careers in entertainment, science, technology, engineering, arts
and math (STEAM) fields. Within the music sector, students will
also be trained in the business and technology of the live
entertainment industry, audio engineering and recording, coding, 3D
modeling and animation, graphic design, digital content creation,
entrepreneurship, and practical life and career skills. The center
will also be a space for cultural, economic and civic events for
the wider community.
"We created our School of Live because live music isn't a
standard part of most schools and colleges, even though it
continues to be a growing industry," said Michael Rapino, President and CEO, Live Nation
Entertainment. "By partnering together with SoLa, kids learn the
business of music and we help them get first-hand experience, which
unlocks a whole new world of careers, which has been incredible to
be part of."
About Live Nation Entertainment
Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV) is the world's leading live
entertainment company comprised of global market leaders:
Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts, and Live Nation Sponsorship.
For additional information, visit
www.livenationentertainment.com
About SoLa Impact's Foundation:
The SoLa Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit affiliate of SoLa Impact,
aims to improve the lives of South LA residents and break the cycle
of intergenerational poverty by providing opportunities for
education and economic mobility. SoLa's Technology and
Entrepreneurship Center Powered by Riot Games is a
state-of-the-art, first-of-its kind center at the heart of South
Central Los Angeles. SoLa provides the community with skills-based
technology programming, as well as scholarships and career
development opportunities for underinvested communities to ensure
Black and brown Angelenos get increased access to jobs, mentorship,
and placement in the most competitive fields of business. Learn
more at www.thesolafoundation.org.
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SOURCE SoLa Impact