As part of the Entertainment Industry College Outreach Program’s (EICOP) HBCU in LA Summit Week, AEG — a leading sports and live entertainment company — hosted over 40 interns from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) at its L.A. LIVE complex on May 30, 2025.

The event brought together industry insiders and AEG team members to provide students with valuable insight into career opportunities within the sports and live event space. Attendees had the chance to take part in panel sessions, mentoring meetings, and learn directly from professionals in the industry.

The day began with a behind-the-scenes tour of Crypto.com Arena, the L.A. LIVE district, and the GRAMMY Museum. Later, students connected with AEG department leaders — including representatives from Goldenvoice, AEG Presents, AXS, and Crypto.com Arena — during a networking lunch hosted by Black Equity@AEG, AEG’s employee network group.

After lunch, AEG President and Chief Executive Officer Dan Beckerman addressed the group, emphasizing the growing complexities of today’s workforce and the necessity of developing talent from a range of institutions for ongoing operational and strategic success.

Students also engaged in a fireside chat, led by Stacy Milner, EICOP’s Founder and Chief Executive Officer, alongside Debra Lee, BET’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, in Crypto.com Arena’s Lexus Club. During their discussion, Lee offered her perspectives on leadership, navigating obstacles, and shaping the future of media.

“Hosting the HBCU LA event is all about opening doors and creating opportunities — two crucial components that can make a huge difference in these students’ careers,” said April Barfield, Senior Manager — University Relations at AEG. “It’s equally important that these talented individuals learn about the live event industry and that our workforce reflects the communities we serve.”

EICOP is a non-profit educational arts workforce-development organization that prepares, guides, and recruits the brightest student leaders from Historically Black Colleges, Universities, and other Minority Serving Institutions for employment across the entertainment, sports, gaming, tech, and media sectors.

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To introduce high school and college students to potential careers in the live music industry, AEG and Goldenvoice organized two AEG Futures career exploration events. These were scheduled alongside Goldenvoice’s well-known music festivals, Just Like Heaven and Head in the Clouds Music & Arts Festival.

The Just Like Heaven event was held on May 8 and featured speeches from Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo, City Council Member Tyron Hampton, and Jens Weiden, CEO of the Rose Bowl Operating Company. The Head in the Clouds session took place on May 14, with opening remarks delivered by Terry Park of The Asian American Foundation, alongside Jens Weiden.

At both events, students were offered exclusive behind-the-scenes tours at Brookside at the Rose Bowl. These tours highlighted the many components involved in organizing a major music festival — from stage and sound production to layout design, food and beverage services, merchandise, and sustainability efforts.

Students also took part in speed mentoring sessions, where they engaged directly with professionals such as Rachel So, Festival Operations Manager at Goldenvoice, and Chavante “Tae” Flakes, a Talent Buyer at Goldenvoice. These conversations allowed students to ask questions, learn about career journeys, and gain valuable insights and inspiration for their own futures.

As a culminating activity, participants tackled the "Build Your Own Festival" challenge. Using the knowledge they had gained, students conceptualized and pitched their own music festival ideas to a panel of Goldenvoice executives.

“These AEG Futures events provide students with a unique and immersive way to explore careers in live entertainment,” said Michael Ilves, Senior Director of Festivals at Goldenvoice. “By giving them access to real-world experiences and industry professionals, we help students develop practical skills and a clearer sense of direction for their future. Early exposure like this is vital for building confidence and making well-informed decisions about life after graduation.”

Both events reflect AEG’s dedication to nurturing the future talent of the live events industry.

Click here to know more about AEG Futures.