The SoLa Foundation

AI has arrived at the SoLa Tech & Entrepreneurship Center! We're teaming up with Microsoft, to bring an exciting Hack-ai-thon event to our SoLa Scholars. This event provides a remarkable chance for students to engage with tech industry leaders, acquire valuable knowledge, and benefit from mentorship that has the potential to influence their future careers. Know a student who would be excited about this event? Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/gEGzFiWF

📢 Reminder: Early voting is NOW OPEN 🗳️ Whether you're planning to vote in person or drop off your mail-in ballot, don’t wait! Now is the time to make your voice heard. 🏛️✅ Find the open in-person polling places and mail-in ballot drop-off locations nearest you at caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov #VoteEarly #MakeYourVoiceHeard #2024Election #SoLaImpact

The incredible work of our SoLa scholars, in collaboration with SELF-HELP GRAPHICS AND ART, INC., has a new home at Magic Johnson Park! 🌟 As part of an AR fellowship, our talented scholars teamed up with local artists to bring "Sinks: Places We Call Home" to life through augmented reality. This project not only celebrates the rich history of the land surrounding the park but also envisions a future filled with sustainable and safe green spaces for the South LA community. 🌳✨ The installation has been unveiled and is now open for all to experience. Congratulations to our SoLa scholars Mia C. (14), Kianni H. (15), and Darin G. (14) for their outstanding contributions! 🎨 #CommunityImpact #SoLaScholars #AugmentedReality #SouthLA #MagicJohnsonPark

Introducing a NEW initiative by The SoLa Foundation—A SoLa culinary training program. The 60th Street Cafe located at the Beehive is designed to uplift and empower the next generation of food industry leaders! South Los Angeles faces one of the largest food deserts in LA County, the community deserves better access to healthy food options and career opportunities. This initiative will provide hands-on training in culinary arts, entrepreneurship, and soft skills, preparing graduates for successful careers in the food service industry. Also serving as a state-of-the-art commercial test kitchen available to local food entrepreneurs, 60th Street Cafe will drive local business growth and boost economic development. 60th Street Cafe isn’t just about career pathways—it’s about creating lasting economic change, increasing access to nutritious food, and building a stronger, healthier South LA. Want to get involved? Contact us at 60thstreetcafe@solaican.org #CulinaryTraining #SoLaImpact #CommunityEmpowerment #SouthLA #FoodServiceCareers #SupportLocalBusinesses

The SoLa Foundation, non profit affiliate of SoLa Impact, has been awarded a $1M grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to support SoLa’s second Tech & Entertainment Center powered by Live Nation Entertainment. The grant was secured by Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37) as part of her work to help lead the revitalization and development of the Crenshaw and Leimert Park communities. Thank you! The 10,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art facility, part of our 195-unit Crenshaw Lofts development, will be an anchor of economic and educational opportunities in the Crenshaw and Leimert Park communities. Opening in 2025, the new Tech Center will train the next generation of leaders and entrepreneurs from the community for jobs in tech and entertainment and will serve more than 1,000 young people annually. The Center’s cutting-edge programming will provide classes in emerging technologies such as AI and Machine Learning as well as career-ready training for vocational-to-executive jobs in the arts, media, entertainment, and the live events industry. The facility will include a state-of-the-art professional recording studio (designed by Grammy-winning artist James Fauntleroy), an advanced computer and AI lab, a collaborative workspace, a community center, and an indoor/outdoor event space for world-renowned artists and entertainers. We also want to thank SoLa supporter, Patti Neuwirth, for funding the Center’s Innovation Lab, LA City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson for his support of this transformative project, and Live Nation Entertainment for being the title sponsor of the new Center. Again, thank you, Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove, for your vision and commitment to the residents of Los Angeles. See: https://lnkd.in/gPm2NKrT Watch our video: https://lnkd.in/gZqWbNaB #SoLaImpact #CrenshawLofts #YouthEmpowerment #TechCenter #LiveNation #CommunityDevelopmen #WorkforceDevelopment #AI #PublicPrivatePartnerships #CrenshawRevitalization

CRENSHAW, HERE WE COME! Our team had the incredible opportunity to tour the construction site of our second tech center—the SoLa Tech & Entertainment Center, powered by Live Nation Entertainment! Set to be the crown jewel of Crenshaw Blvd, this state-of-the-art facility will serve over 1,000 students and adults annually. With new programs focused on empowering individuals to break into the live entertainment and music industries, we’re excited to uplift and nurture Crenshaw’s talent and aspiring youth. We’re also thrilled to partner with #DestinationCrenshaw, an organization deeply aligned with our mission to create economic and educational opportunities—especially in the tech and creative sectors. See the photos and renders below of our center, opening in 2025, and stay tuned for more exciting updates on our upcoming programs!   #Crenshaw #LiveNation #CommunityImpact #SoLa

Happy Hispanic Heritage Month! We couldn’t agree more with our Director’s thoughtful message as we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month! The contributions of the Hispanic community, especially in education, are remarkable. As highlighted, Hispanic students have made incredible strides in higher education, representing 79% of the recent increase in degree attainment. Yet, the work continues. The SoLa Foundation is committed to closing the education gap by providing scholarships, professional development, internships, and mentorship opportunities for Hispanic students. Learn more about our scholarship program here: https://lnkd.in/gcDq_Fzw

We invite you to Game for Democracy! We’re excited to team up with USC Games to host a NEW event at the Beehive on Saturday, October 12! “Gaming for Democracy” is designed for students in grades 9-12 and offers a unique opportunity to network with gaming industry professionals and local leaders while competing in popular games like Valorant, Minecraft, and Nintendo favorites. Don’t miss out on this exciting day of gaming, learning, and connecting with industry experts! Sign up for FREE here: https://lnkd.in/gJ4Fa8nG #GamingForDemocracy #USCGames #BeehiveLA #YouthInGaming #Valorant #Minecraft #Nintendo #NetworkingEvent #StudentOpportunities

We're looking forward to experiencing SoLa Impact's inaugural "In My Dream Backyard" symposium at the Beehive. It's an opportunity to hear from Los Angeles's greatest minds, network with purpose-driven leaders, & collaboratively reimagine the future of Los Angeles. Don't miss it! Get your tickets today: https://lnkd.in/gH3KjdsW

Four #Olympic gold medals. Eight World Championship gold medals. Former world record holder. One of the GOATS of Track & Field. "The Man With the Golden Shoes." Please welcome the newest addition to the “In My Dream Backyard” symposium lineup: Michael Johnson.    Among our many distinguished panelists, we are pleased to announce Olympian Michael Johnson and CEO of Grand Slam Track, an exciting new platform for track & field.  Beyond his long list of athletic accomplishments, Michael Johnson has also excelled as a television commentator, an entrepreneur and an advisor to many high-performance professionals. Following his legendary track career, Johnson has embodied the principles of “high performance” across multiple disciplines, extending far beyond track & field. Featured as the flagbearer of the 2028 LA Olympics (#LA2028) at the closing ceremony of the #2024ParisOlympics, Johnson will join us to share his perspective on what the Olympics may mean for #LosAngeles and how it might catalyze opportunities for LA’s diverse communities. Note: The event is almost sold out and ticket sales will end on Tuesday, Sept. 17, at 5pm PT. Tickets can be purchased here: https://lnkd.in/gy8ne3FK (Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate “day-of” registrations). Special thanks to our sponsors:  Kaiser Permanente, Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, California Community Foundation, JPMorganChase, PNC, AltaMed Health Services, Wells Fargo, Capricorn Investment Group, & Housing on Merit (HOM).