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Live Nation has expanded its partnership SoLa Impact’s SoLa Foundation, with an investment to fund the nonprofit organisation’s second youth centre, which will provide fully subsidised education and workforce training opportunities within the entertainment and technology sectors.
SoLa Foundation’s aim is to improve the lives of South Los Angeles residents and break the cycle of intergenerational poverty.
Live Nation’s contribution will help the completion of a new campus, which will be known as the SoLa Tech and Entertainment Center powered by Live Nation. The new 8,500-square-foot technology and entertainment centre will be located on the ground floor of the ‘Crenshaw Lofts’, SoLa Impact’s 195-unit workforce and affordable housing development.
The centre will provide the backdrop for the Live Nation Next Gen Programme, an 18-week paid apprenticeship where historically excluded youth groups (aged between 16-21) from the area will be able to explore entertainment and production careers. Students will also be able to learn directly from Live Nation staff and executives about the industry, while the programme will culminate with the group promoting, ticketing and producing their own community concert.
The programme will work in partnership with the entertainment company’s School of Live.
Sherri Francois, SoLa Impact’s chief impact officer and executive director of the SoLa Foundation, said: “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.
“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 centre will provide educational access to more than 1,000 students each year, to inspire future generations to pursue careers in entertainment, science, technology, engineering, arts and maths.
“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 chief executive of 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.”
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