Pollstar (10/03/23) Pittman, Sarah
Live Nation's nonprofit Music Forward Foundation celebrated its 30th year with charity events in Los Angeles that cumulatively raised $350,000 in the service of helping launch "music and live entertainment careers for the next generation through workshops, panels and performances that connect passion to professions." Music Forward Foundation Executive Director Nurit Smith stated: "This year already we've reached 22,000 young people across 46 states and 49 countries. Our impact is real and broad and deep. We do this through workshops, career fairs, scholarships, classroom curriculum, internships, performance opportunities, grants and apprenticeships. Youth walk out of our programs with the tools, resources and the network to turn their passion for music into a lifelong profession." The Music Forward Brunch honored music industry change agents like Billie Eilish's "Happier Than Ever, The World Tour" for sustainability efforts. Julian Petty, Warner's Head of Business and Legal Affairs, was cited as Executive Honoree for establishing the Warner Music/Blavatnik Center for Music and Entertainment Business at Howard University, which will help clear a path for next-generation Black executives in music. Broccoli City co-founder Brandon McEachern earned the Festival Honoree award and the California Department of Education's Education Programs Specialist Allison Frenzel was named Educator Honoree for helping young people statewide pursue careers in arts, media and entertainment. The Venue Honoree award went to House of Blues while Smith received a special certificate proclamation from Los Angeles County to mark the Music Forward Foundation's 30th anniversary. The other charity event the nonprofit held was the inaugural Golf Classic at the El Caballero Country Club, featuring songs performed by sisters Neska and Libi Rose and Reina Macias.
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