The Makers Hub Club & Professional Speaker Series

Access to tech and creative industry employment

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

The issue that The Makers Hub is seeking to address involves the significant barriers to employment in the tech and creative industries for underrepresented groups in Los Angeles. These barriers disproportionately affect women, Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC), and LGBTQ+ individuals. Despite Los Angeles hosting a booming creative and technological economy, these groups often find themselves excluded from opportunities due to a lack of access to necessary education, training, networks, and resources that facilitate entry and success in these fields. The Makers Hub's initiatives are designed to bridge this gap by providing targeted educational programs, hands-on workshops, mentorship, and direct connections to the industry, thereby fostering inclusivity and opening pathways to employment in sectors where these communities have traditionally been underrepresented.

The Makers Hub addresses barriers to employment in LA's tech and creative sectors for underrepresented youth, specifically in BIPOC communities. Through the Makers Hub Club, we offer workshops and talks that develop a wide spectrum of skills from basic woodworking to advanced digital fabrication techniques pertinent to modern creative economies like architecture, arts and crafts, and engineering among others. The Makers Hub Club hosts a Maker’s Fair, where students can showcase and sell their creations, providing a practical platform for students to apply their newly acquired skills. It celebrates their creativity and innovation, giving them the satisfaction of seeing their work valued in the marketplace. Our Speaker Series connects students with industry leaders, offering insights and advice to broaden perspectives, outlining paths to success in these industries, making them more conceivable to students who may not see themselves represented in these fields. Our collaboration with the local Carpenters Union to establish a pre-apprenticeship program, allows students to earn credits and practical hours in woodworking, ensuring they have both the theoretical knowledge and practical experience necessary to pursue careers in various technical domains. By integrating these educational opportunities with internships, mentorships, and networking events, we facilitate career growth with companies in the tech and creative sectors, preparing diverse talent for the future.

Our initiatives will transform access to tech and creative industries for underrepresented youth in Los Angeles County. The primary success of these initiatives would be the significant increase in access to creative and tech industry careers for the BIPOC community, particularly in underserved communities like Compton. By providing these students with the skills, knowledge, and networks necessary to enter these fields, The Makers Hub aims to dismantle the barriers that have historically excluded them. Success would mean higher employment rates in creative and tech jobs, increases in entrepreneurial endeavors, and a noticeable change in community perceptions when it comes to accessing these career paths. The vision for continued success includes expanding these initiatives into other LA high schools, fostering a widespread cultural shift towards inclusivity and opportunity in the tech and creative sectors, enhancing economic and cultural vitality across the region.

The Makers Hub measures the impact of its initiatives through a combination of quantitative and qualitative data. We track attendance rates, the number of workshops delivered, and the diversity of participation to assess reach and engagement. Pre- and post-program surveys gauge changes in participants' skills, confidence, and career aspirations, providing direct feedback on the program's effectiveness and alignment with industry needs. Success stories and expanded partnerships further validate the effectiveness and community integration of these initiatives, showcasing their role in empowering underrepresented groups in tech and creative industries. This comprehensive approach ensures we are effectively addressing barriers to employment in creative and tech fields for underrepresented groups in Los Angeles.