The SoLa Foundation and Live Nation have opened the SoLa AI & Entertainment Center in Los Angeles’ Crenshaw neighborhood, a 9,000-square-foot creative and workforce training hub designed to prepare local youth and young adults for careers in entertainment, media production, AI, and technology. The ribbon-cutting ceremony featured remarks from Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Los Angeles City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson, SoLa leadership, and Live Nation executives, alongside a live demo of the Center’s production capabilities in the Live Nation Lounge.
The Center is built around a direct partnership with Live Nation that goes beyond funding. A dedicated 1,650-square-foot space functions as both a flexible classroom and creative production environment, connecting students with SoLa educators, Live Nation professionals, and industry mentors. SoLa Foundation Executive Director Sherri Francois frames the mission plainly: “As technology continues to evolve, especially with the rapid rise of AI, we are committed to equipping our community with the tools, skills, and exposure needed to participate and lead.” SoLa Impact CEO Martin Muoto puts the stakes even more directly: “Our goal is to ensure that a young person in Watts who understands how to use AI has the same access to opportunity as a kid from Palo Alto.”
Central to the Center’s model is the SoLa Live Accelerator Program, a 6-month intensive that trains a new generation of live entertainment professionals from South LA through guest speaker engagements, immersive field trips, experiential learning, and guidance from Live Nation staff including CEO Michael Rapino. The Center also houses the Crenshaw Cafe, SoLa’s second culinary training kitchen and social enterprise, offering vocational training and state-recognized certifications with career pathways into food and hospitality. Programming will roll out over the next year with continued expansion planned as partnerships and curriculum evolve.