She Runs It: Music Industry Innovator Intensive

Youth economic advancement

West LA Other (below)

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

In Los Angeles, 14% of youth aged 16–24 are classified as opportunity youth—neither in school nor working. Women of color ages 16–24 are more likely to earn low wages, even as they gain age and experience, indicating persistent barriers to economic mobility. These disparities reflect systemic barriers to wealth-building—especially for young women of color. Short-term employment isn’t enough; what’s needed is long-term economic mobility and ownership. Many of America’s top entrepreneurs didn’t follow traditional education paths (think: Jay-Z)—what they had was drive, access and a chance to create. Many talented LA youth remain disconnected from opportunity. Our program addresses this by combining business training, mentorship, and real-world industry access to help young women launch creative careers and ventures. We believe that when young women are equipped with tools, guidance, and belief in themselves and their ideas, they can become not just workers—but owners and change makers.

She Runs It is a 3-week, in-person summer entrepreneurship intensive for young women and women-identifying creatives (ages 16–24) from under-resourced and underrepresented communities in Los Angeles. The program empowers participants to turn their creative passions into sustainable businesses through mentorship, hands-on training, and real-world experience—starting on day one with identifying and developing their “Big Idea.” In week one, participants explore who they are as creators and leaders while validating their business or project idea through customer research and community-centered visioning. In week two, they build out their brand, learn the foundations of business modeling, marketing, budgeting, and storytelling. Through small group mentorship and interactive workshops, they craft a working pitch deck and financial plan. In week three, participants prepare and deliver a Shark Tank-style pitch to a panel of real investors, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders. Along the way, they gain exposure to creative and tech industry careers, financial literacy, and critical business and communication skills. Graduates leave with a business model, an elevator pitch, a network of professional mentors, and the confidence to build creative careers on their own terms. By the end of the intensive, they don’t just imagine themselves as founders—they are founders, equipped with the tools to build wealth and spark change in their communities. HERE is a link to the schedule (draft).

When She Runs It is successful, LA County will be home to a new generation of confident, creative young women who are not only participating in the music and tech industries—but owning their place in them. While Los Angeles is a global hub for creativity and innovation, access to these opportunities is not evenly distributed. Underrepresented communities will see a rise in women-led businesses and creative startups. Opportunity youth—particularly young Black and brown women—will have new pathways to find a purpose and gain economic independence. By investing in the talent that already exists in our city’s most overlooked communities, we are helping to close racial and gender wealth gaps, strengthen the local creative economy, and build a more equitable future for LA by 2050—one entrepreneur at a time. This program is designed to be more than a one-time experience—it’s the beginning of an annual pipeline for cultivating diverse, women-led innovation in LA’s creative economy.