Designing Opportunity: Bridging Tech, Creativity, and Entrepreneurship for LA Youth

K-12 STEAM education

South LA San Fernando Valley West LA East LA Central LA Long Beach

Pilot or new project, program, or initiative (testing or implementing a new idea)

In Los Angeles, many young people, especially in underserved communities, lack access to the tools, mentorship, and exposure necessary to break into creative or tech-driven industries. This results in a cycle of income inequality, missed economic opportunities, and a lack of representation in the sectors that are shaping culture and the future of work. With creative and tech industries booming in LA, there remains a stark gap between those who consume these innovations and those who create and profit from them. Access to design software, manufacturing technologies, and entrepreneurial education is often reserved for those with existing resources or industry connections, leaving many talented youth behind.

This grant will support the launch and expansion of PerryCo’s From Idea to Impact workshop series which will be interactive, hands-on programming focused on teaching students in LA neighborhoods about entrepreneurship, design, and technology. Students will be introduced to tools like design software (e.g., Adobe Illustrator, Procreate, Gravity Sketch), 3D modeling, and prototyping, as well as gain insight into the product development lifecycle—from ideation to production.
Led by myself (Brittney Perry) and guest industry professionals, the workshops will blend creative exploration with real-world skills. Students will learn how to develop and pitch product ideas, understand cost and pricing models, and engage in digital design. A core element is the opportunity to co-design an actual product (such as a sneaker or accessory) that PerryCo will help bring to life. This not only validates their creativity but provides tangible portfolio experience they can use for future academic or career opportunities.
By focusing on scalable skill-building and early exposure, this program aims to cultivate a new generation of diverse creators, makers, and entrepreneurs who are equipped to participate in and transform LA’s creative economy.

If our work is successful, Los Angeles County will become a more inclusive, creative, and economically vibrant community where young people from underserved areas have real access to opportunities in the tech and design industries. Students who previously had little exposure to creative careers will be equipped with tangible skills, professional portfolios, and industry mentorship to confidently pursue education or employment in these fields. Long-term, we envision scaling this initiative across LA County through school partnerships, nonprofit collaborations, and industry sponsorships; creating a pipeline of diverse talent that reshapes the creative economy from the ground up.