Innovation Culture & Creativity Workshop

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TEC Leimert’s Inclusive Innovation Workshop Kicked Off by Inspiring One-on-one Conversation with Russell Westbrook Detailing How Culture Drives Innovation 

Los Angeles (August 22, 2024) - TEC Leimert, a leading advocate organization based in South Los Angeles that strives to bridge the digital divide in Los Angeles underserved communities, hosted the “Inclusive Innovation: Engaging Creative Technologists for Advanced Technology Tools Research and Initiatives” workshop this past weekend at Sony Studios, as part of UCLA’s and the National Science Foundation’s Innovation, Culture and Creativity Project,

TEC Leimert’s Inclusive Innovation workshop brought together a curated ensemble of creatives, researchers, designers and other creative economy producers across diverse sectors in tech entertainment and artistic design to explore ideas on how talent from communities like South Los Angeles could thrive through the strengthening of the region’s innovation ecosystem.  

According to the Growing and Developing California's Innovation Economy Report, 83% of participants believe that art, design and human factors are just as important to innovation as STEM, which is the driving force behind the Inclusive Innovation workshop to bring awareness to the opportunities for black and brown communities to participate in the creative economy. 

A highlight of the workshop included an inspiring one-on-one fireside chat conversation with the founder of the Why Not? Foundation and the Honor the Gift clothing brand, Russell Westbrook to kick off the event.  

“Our collaboration with Russell Westbrook and the Why Not? Foundation epitomizes the essence of our core mission at TEC Leimert,” said Paris McCoy, Executive Director, TEC Leimert. “Russell Westbrook is a true community champion and we were honored to have him participate in our Inclusive Innovation event.”  

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Known for his dynamic presence and passion for his L.A. roots, Westbrook shared details about his journey to NBA stardom, but also spoke about his leap of faith into fashion and his motivation for empowering young adults to succeed through his Why Not? Foundation.

"The Why Not? Foundation is deeply committed to empowering the next generation by providing them with the tools, resources, and opportunities they need to succeed in today's ever-evolving creative economy," said Russell Westbrook.  "Partnering with TEC Leimert and UCLA's ICC Project allows us to amplify our efforts to spark creativity and foster the development of skills that can open doors for young people in our community."  

Last year, the Why Not? Foundation sponsored the Young Professionals Brunch at TEC Leimert’s Black to the Future Tech & Entertainment conference in Leimert Park and welcomed an intern from the organization’s NXT LVL social media workforce development program to work with Westbrook’s Honor the Gift brand, another example of his commitment to create opportunities for area youth to succeed in the creative economy. 

Other highlights of the Inclusive Innovation event included interactive breakout sessions with Otis College breaking down their Creative Economy report, Engage VR, Unity Software, Will.I.AM’s FYI AI app and the Party in My Living Room (PIMLR) brand that helped participants gain insight into innovative pathways L.A. creatives are using to access the creative sector.

Producers of L.A.’s largest black-owned technology & entertainment conference in the city, TEC Leimert’s annual Black to the Future conference takes place on (September 20-22, 2024) and the organization’s creative industry workforce development labs, including:  Game Wizards SoLA (Video Game Industry Training), NXT LVL (Social Media Career Training) and the Audio Affect (Music Production Training with Serato) are tools the organization is using to bridge the digital divide in South L.A. 

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