AEG’s Black Equity Employee Network Group Hosts Career Exploration Program for High School Students in Los Angeles at Crypto.com Arena in Celebration of Black History Month
Participating high schools and nonprofit organizations included Birmingham High School, Brotherhood Crusade, Bridge Builders, EduCare Foundation, Education & Leadership Institute, Hawkins High School, Junipero Serra High School, and King Drew Magnet High School
In celebration of Black History Month, AEG’s Black Equity (BE@AEG) employee network group teamed up with local high schools and youth-based nonprofit organizations in Los Angeles to host an AEG Futures career exploration event “Pathways into The Business of Sports” at Crypto.com Arena on Feb. 17.
The program featured a panel discussion with Marla Anderson, Vice President of Talent Acquisition, AEG; Ashley Beach, Event Manager, Crypto.com Arena; Manny Jacobo, Vice President of Premium Sales and Services; and Gary Reynolds, Senior Director, Production Operations at ESPN in Crypto.com Arena’s Pepperdine Learning Center.
“When students are able to engage with successful professionals in the sports and entertainment industry who look like them, it reiterates that these career paths are actually attainable,” said Ashley Beach, event manager at Crypto.com Arena and Leader of BE@AEG. “This career exploration program provides a unique perspective of the industry through valuable information and guidance, one-on-one mentorship and a one-of-a-kind environment at Crypto.com Arena on a game night.”
Following the panel and Q&A, students were paired with AEG team members to receive one-on-one mentorship and advice on personal development and future career opportunities while enjoying dinner and watching an NBA game from the suites at Crypto.com Arena.
“The AEG Futures event at Crypto.com Arena was a great example of how a major organization, like AEG, is sensitive to the needs of a community, innovatively comes up with solutions on how to address those needs and brings together a talented and diverse group of AEG volunteers and youth eager to learn to literally change the educational and career trajectories in a very positive and impactful manner,” said Leonardo Cablayan, Director, Brotherhood Crusade, YouthSource Center
Throughout the years, AEG has hosted multiple in-person and virtual AEG Futures career exploration events with both high school and college students in conjunction with Goldenvoice’s Day N Vegas, Arroyo Seco Weekend and BET for the BET Experience Youth Program at L.A. LIVE.