White Hall Arts Academy Foundation Opens New Doors for the Next Generation of Entertainment Professionals

For many young people, a love for music and the arts starts with a dream. They may picture themselves performing onstage, creating music, working behind a camera or being part of a major live event. But turning that passion into a career takes more than talent. It also takes access, guidance, experience and the opportunity to learn from people who have already made their mark in the industry.

White Hall Arts Academy Foundation is working to make those opportunities more accessible to young people in Los Angeles, and its latest recognition marks another step forward in that mission. The South Los Angeles-based nonprofit has been named a 2026 AEG Community Foundation grant recipient, joining 21 other organizations sharing in a $400,000 investment in community programs across the country. The grants range from $5,000 to $25,000 and support organizations working to expand access to education, the arts, youth development and other essential resources.

For White Hall, the announcement is about more than receiving a grant. It is about continuing to create opportunities for young people to explore their creativity, discover their strengths and see a future for themselves in an industry where the right connections and professional exposure can make a meaningful difference.

Founded by Tanisha Hall, White Hall Arts Academy Foundation provides arts education, creative development and career-focused experiences for youth and young adults. Its programs connect students with music, media, production and live entertainment while helping them develop the skills and confidence to pursue their interests. The organization also recognizes something important: Not every young person interested in entertainment wants to be the person holding the microphone. There are countless opportunities behind the scenes, and students deserve the chance to learn about them, too.

That idea came to life earlier this year when students from White Hall’s Music Creators Camp visited The Novo at L.A. LIVE. During the visit, executives from AEG and Goldenvoice introduced students to the business of live entertainment, including concert promotion, merchandising and event operations. Students also participated in smaller mentoring sessions, giving them an opportunity to connect with professionals and learn more about the work that happens beyond the stage.

For a young person who has only experienced a concert as an audience member, stepping inside a professional venue and learning what it takes to bring a show to life can change the way they see the industry. What once seemed distant can begin to feel possible. A student who loves music might discover an interest in producing events, while another might find a passion for marketing, creative direction or production. Sometimes, the first step toward a career is simply learning that the opportunity exists.

“This is bigger than a camp or a training program,” Tanisha said. “We are creating meaningful pathways for young people who have the talent, discipline and creativity to contribute to this industry.” She added that the goal is to expose students not only to opportunities onstage, but also to sustainable careers behind the music, behind the camera and behind major live events.

That vision speaks to a larger issue facing young people who want to enter creative industries. Passion and potential can be powerful starting points, but access to professional environments, mentorship and meaningful relationships can help students understand how to turn their interests into practical next steps. When those experiences are made available earlier, young people have more room to explore their options, ask questions and begin building the knowledge they need to move forward.

The AEG Community Foundation grant strengthens White Hall’s work by supporting an organization focused on connecting creative education with real-world opportunities. AEG awarded funding to 22 nonprofit organizations selected for their commitment to addressing community needs and making a positive impact. Some organizations were nominated by AEG employees who had supported or collaborated with them in their own communities, with final recipients selected after a review by the Foundation’s executive board.

“Nonprofits are often the first to respond when communities face challenges, and today many organizations are being asked to do more than ever before,” said Martha Saucedo, AEG’s chief external affairs officer. She noted that the Foundation supports organizations expanding access to education, the arts, health and wellness programs that make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

The investment also reflects AEG’s wider philanthropic efforts. In 2025, the company contributed nearly $30 million through foundation grants, charitable giving, employee volunteer initiatives, ticket access programs and in-kind support for nonprofits, schools and community organizations.

For White Hall Arts Academy Foundation, the connection between funding and industry access is especially meaningful. Financial support can help sustain important programs, while partnerships with entertainment professionals give students opportunities to learn directly from people working in the fields they hope to explore. Together, those resources can help create a stronger bridge between early creative interests and future career possibilities.

At the heart of this work is the belief that young people should have the chance to see what is possible before deciding what is possible for them. They should be able to explore their interests, learn about careers they may never have considered and meet professionals who can offer insight into the paths ahead. They should also understand that there is no single way to succeed in the arts. Every role, whether visible to the public or performed behind the scenes, contributes to bringing creative ideas to life.

Tanisha Hall’s leadership helps move that mission forward, but the larger story belongs to the students gaining access to new experiences and the communities that benefit when young people are given room to grow. Their success does not have to look the same. For one student, it may mean developing the confidence to share original music. For another, it may mean discovering an interest in event production or realizing that a career in entertainment involves skills they are already beginning to develop.

As White Hall builds on its collaboration with AEG and Goldenvoice, the grant represents an opportunity to keep that momentum going. It reinforces the importance of investing in organizations that do more than encourage young people to dream. They help them explore, prepare and connect those dreams to opportunities in the real world.

Ultimately, opening doors for the next generation benefits more than the students who walk through them. It strengthens communities, brings new perspectives into creative spaces and helps ensure that the future of entertainment has room for more voices, ideas and talent. Every young person deserves the chance to discover what they can contribute, and every meaningful opportunity can help bring that future a little closer.

Through its commitment to arts education and career development, White Hall Arts Academy Foundation is helping make that possibility more tangible, one student and one experience at a time.