Pathway Rising: Economic Advancement for Inglewood’s Youth

Access to tech and creative industry employment

South LA Central LA

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

Youth in South Los Angeles, especially in Inglewood, are full of promise but face deep inequities. In a district where nearly 100% of students are youth of color and over 60% face economic hardship, LAUSD 89.8% and Inglewood USD 98.6%, opportunities for leadership and enrichment are nearly nonexistent. At some schools, fewer than 5% of students meet math proficiency standards. This reflects a generation of dreams at risk. The absence of meaningful support tells students their futures don’t matter. We seek to change that through Pathway Rising by offering consistent, culturally grounded mentorship, leadership development, and exposure to college and career paths. This is about inspiring and building the next generation, giving them a space to develop their own paths, and ensuring their success in the workforce.

Pathway Rising will serve middle and high school students in the Los Angeles and Inglewood Unified School Districts who have limited access to enrichment opportunities. In today’s changing world, youth need more than academic knowledge—they need confidence, critical thinking, and real-world skills to thrive. Career readiness is essential, especially for students facing systemic barriers.
Led by professionals rooted in the community and committed to mentorship, Pathway Rising offers one-on-one guidance, culturally responsive leadership workshops, and career-building experiences. A core focus is entrepreneurial thinking: students will explore personal interests and learn how to turn them into income-generating ventures—from creative services to digital content and small business ideas.
Students will also produce their own podcasts at Center of Hope’s studio, gaining hands-on experience in communication, storytelling, and technical production. Through scripting, recording, editing, and peer collaboration, they’ll build key soft skills like adaptability, teamwork, and creative problem-solving.
Financial literacy classes paired with ongoing coaching will prepare students for long-term success, helping them develop goal-setting, self-discipline, and informed decision-making.
Pathway Rising empowers youth to lead lives of agency, purpose, and possibility—equipping them with both practical skills and personal resilience.

Pathway Rising is an innovation-driven mentorship program designed for Los Angeles and Inglewood students. In partnership with local educators, business leaders, and creatives, it blends culturally responsive career exploration with real-world skill-building and hands-on mentorship. From podcast production in a state-of-the-art studio to personalized financial coaching, every aspect reflects students’ lived experiences and aspirations.
In the short term, the program boosts student engagement, self-efficacy, financial literacy, and post-secondary readiness. Students gain practical tools while building identity, agency, and a sense of belonging. This flagship model shows what’s possible when innovation is rooted in place: empowering Inglewood and other local youth to lead, launch careers, build businesses, and reinvest in their communities.