CREATEWorld Famous VIP Records Business Incubator and Multi Media Center
Business accelerator/incubator for tech, music & food entrepreneurs supported with 24hour radio station, retail space & music studio anchored by a replica of the Historic World Famous VIP Sign.
Please describe the activation your organization seeks to launch.
A business incubator and multi media center that provides work space tech lab, music studio, radio station, green screen room and outdoor event space.
Which of the CREATE metrics will your activation impact?
Employment in the creative industries
Minority- and women-owned firms
Unemployment (and opportunities) for the formerly incarcerated
Will your proposal impact any other LA2050 goal categories?
LA is the best place to LEARN
LA is the best place to PLAY
LA is the best place to CONNECT
LA is the healthiest place to LIVE
In what areas of Los Angeles will you be directly working?
long beach, ca
How will your activation mobilize Angelenos?
Digital organizing or activism
Create new tools or technologies for greater civic/political engagement
increase small businesses among women and minori
Describe in greater detail how your activation will make LA the best place to CREATE?
In 1978 World Famous VIP Records was opened in Long Beach , CA. In the 90s, founder Kelvin Anderson opened up a small studio in the back of the store to keep kids out of gangs. From the back of the store careers such as Snoop Dogg, Warren G and Nate Dogg were launched after they recorded their first demo for their group 213.
For 40 year, a sign called the VIP sign sat on top of the store and most recently that sign became a Historic Landmark, making the only one of its kind in the world but the sign has been put in storage until we secure a home to open a museum.
This has been a major loss for Long beach and tourist from around the world to came to see the sign.
In the meantime, to keep the brand alive and to help create economic opportunities, we have secured a building on long beach blvd. which we currently need assistance in activating
The space is about 5000 sq feet and another 2000 in the back of open space.
Our plan is to open a business incubator and multi media center , music recording radio station and retail store in the front.
The goal is to incubate an foster careers in the area of technology, music, non profit sector, broadcasting, writing and provide a 24 hour radio station that will deliver content through all digital platforms and that will be hosted by radio personalities from across la county.
The space has several rooms and this is what each room will offer members.
1. tech room with computers and printer and copiers
2. Radio station that will air 24 hours a day through all digital platforms
3. music recording studio
4. Outside event and workspace
5. Conference Room
6. Green Screen Room
7. Workspace room couches, tables etc
8. Resource office
Center Design
The center will engage artist to create murals all over the walls to reflect the vip history and we will also work to create digital experiences throughout the center.
Outside Design
A replica VIP sign, from snoop doggs, first video will anchor the building, as seen in the attached image.
Although the sign is no longer that color, the replica represents the ara that the young artists got their start in the 90s and gives the center a unique draw.
We will be working to also assist entrepreneurs with financing through programs like Kiva and a partnership with the City of Long Beach.
Community Engagement
On going music, small business and other creative contests will be launched from the center to engage the community and to continue to foster engagement.
Our open space, will be made available to non profits in our communities for meeting and event space to allow them the ability to collaborate and serve the health and well being of our communities.
We are also located across the street from Public Transportation, metro , in a area that is undeserved with resources and small businesses.
How will your activation engage Angelenos to make LA the best place to CREATE
We look at our development as a cultural development. It is a development that both engages heritage tourists from around the world who want to see the VIP Sign and purchase merchandise while it provides opportunity and a space for engagement.
Our focus on creating community events such as family day an concerts that will bring our local community together and create space of engagement and empowerment.
Please explain how you will define and measure success for your activation.
Creating Milestones for our small businesses and take them through an 18 month incubation process.
Number of Jobs Created
Number of Businesses Launched
Type of Engagement
Where do you hope this activation or your organization will be in five years?
We hope to have another location opened in south Central Los Angeles where the original vip records store was opened and hope to have launched at least 100 successful small businesses.