Futures Project, turn potential into possibility — and possibility into momentum.

Access to tech and creative industry employment

Central LA South LA West LA Gateway Cities South Bay

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

As the division between careers in tech and art blur, now more than ever it's to monetize one's creative expression or technological prowess. However We find that, despite the increase in entry level fields in Tech, Art and mediat in LA. Students within blocks of studios/Hq's are unaware of how their interests, and recreational skills segway easily to careers. We found that a lack of intention around building on exposure towards skilling students; as well as failures to link knowledge to overall industry hireability. Over 33% of students in HS in LA county have employment, but the nature of that employment arises from necessity than opportunity. With this understanding we want to harness this culture of “hustle” to allow students to understand the hireability of their interests but convert these interests into a skill set. Combining our mission of college success to include the process of linking academic excellence to career attainment.

The Futures Project builds on BCS’s mission to bridge the gap between education and career success for Black students.
The issue as we understand it is the lack of intention around a pathway around not only exposure to career fields but the skill building that increases hireability. This initiative introduces a structured pathway that leverages experiential learning, mentorship, work-based placements, and industry certifications to prepare students for high-demand careers. By fostering a diverse talent pipeline, we aim to empower the next generation of Black leaders and innovators. Starting in 11th grade students, will start to link "skill up" based on their interests. We understand, that college attainment is an investment in a future of stable work. We believe that the earlier a student can start to compile, acquire skills and train on what they're passionate about significantly increases their retention on university, their focus on career post college, & a persistence to succeed. Our hope with the futures project is to provide the professional development opportunities, be it internships, certification, or early employment in the industries that power Los Angeles.

We define success as a replicable framework for a path from High school to professional qualification in tandem with academic achievement; to pilot an initiative that focuses on experiential programming for industry exposure, that is supplemented with mentorship that culminates in either certification or qualification.
Nowhere is this need more urgent than in Los Angeles, where the average Black/brown household income hovers around $36,000 per year, significantly lower than the citywide median. In a region where educational inequity and underfunded schools limit exposure to high-growth career pathways, the absence of structured, industry-aligned STEAM programming reinforces a cycle of missed opportunity. Without direct access to technical training, mentorship, and real-world application, Historically underserved students are systematically cut off from the careers that drive today’s economy