Nehita Design & Entrepreneurship Accelerator

Access to tech and creative industry employment

Central LA South LA County of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a countywide benefit) East LA West LA San Fernando Valley Long Beach

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

While Los Angeles is a global hub for creativity and innovation, youth from underrepresented communities continue to face systemic barriers to entry in the creative economy. Immigrants, first-generation Americans, and marginalized youth often lack access to the mentorship, exposure, and hands-on training necessary to pursue careers in fields such as jewelry design, entrepreneurship, and cultural production. These disparities are compounded by limited access to capital, business education, and professional networks — all of which are critical for success in creative industries. As a result, talent is left untapped, and cycles of economic inequality are reinforced.

This grant will support the launch of the “Creative Futures Learning Lab,” a 12-month workforce readiness and entrepreneurship program designed to equip marginalized youth—particularly immigrants, first-generation Americans, and low-income young adults—with the foundational tools to succeed in creative industries such as jewelry design, fashion, digital content creation, and business ownership.
The program will offer hands-on workshops, digital literacy training, mentorship from industry professionals, and culturally responsive business education. Participants will gain access to real-world creative tools, including design software, prototyping equipment, and e-commerce platforms. The curriculum also includes financial literacy, public speaking, and resume development, all aimed at preparing participants for viable career paths or launching their own ventures.
By the end of the program, participants will have created a personal portfolio, completed a capstone business project, and received one-on-one coaching to support either employment or entrepreneurship. Through community partnerships, local showcases, and potential internship placements, this initiative will bridge the opportunity gap in the creative economy and empower youth with tangible skills that lead to long-term economic mobility.

If this issue remains unaddressed, Los Angeles risks continuing a cycle where brilliant, creative young minds are excluded from opportunities simply because of where they come from or the resources they lack. Without intentional pathways to learn, grow, and access the creative economy, many marginalized youth will face limited employment options, economic instability, and a lack of representation in industries that shape culture and drive innovation.
However, if our work is successful, Los Angeles County will become a place where those same young people are seen, supported, and celebrated. Our participants will gain the practical skills, confidence, and professional networks needed to thrive in creative fields like jewelry design, digital content, and entrepreneurship. They will contribute fresh perspectives, launch small businesses, and break generational cycles of poverty.