The BET Experience Youth Program presented by AEG is a free two-day educational development program that serves sophomores, juniors, and seniors from high schools in Los Angeles who are interested in careers in the music and entertainment industry. The program is in its seventh year and it ran from June 21 to June 23 at L.A. LIVE. 

AEG, the world’s leading sports and live entertainment company and BET Networks have provided more than 300 students throughout the greater Los Angeles area with an in-depth look at the entertainment industry. In addition, young people got behind-the-scenes access to the BET Experience at L.A. LIVE and the BET Awards.

This year’s program consisted of a fun-filled weekend dedicated to workshops at the GRAMMY Museum with guest speaker Farrah Parker from Farrah Parker & Associates and a “Give Me a Beat” music production class hosted by Schyler O’Nea, which also featured artist Maimouna Youssef.
Students also got to sit-in for two music panels, which included host Noelle Chesnut; Goldenvoice/AEG moderator Lorena Lorosa of TMZ; publicist Jaleesa Lashay Diaz; DJ Spintelect; artist Yannick “Thurz” Koffi; and Warner Bros. A&R Norva Denton. Another panel featured music director Ledaris “LJ” Jones; Yazid Britt of Revolt Media; publicist Crystal Mais; photographer Ro.lexx; and production manager Aysia Rowe.

        
For the third year in a row, AEG and BET teamed up with Roc Nation to host an exclusive music industry, which was held at the Clippers Lounge, moderated by BET’s Crystal Johnson and featured Rapsody (Artist), Kesington "Kes" Kross (Writer, Producer) and Aleicia Nicole (Writer) and Robin Thicke. The students had the opportunity to ask the panelists questions and even got serenaded with a quick song by Thicke.

 “The BET Experience Youth Program has been an amazing seven-year community engagement activity that has given more than 300 high school students in greater Los Angeles a behind the scenes and unfiltered look at the music and entertainment industry with the weekend as the backdrop,” said AEG’s Director of Community Affairs Erikk Aldridge. “Participants have gone on to appear on The Voice, American Idol and secure jobs at AEG.”

This program would not be possible without BET’s very own Director of Corporate Social Responsibility, Nneka Norville. She goes above and beyond to make sure the students have an awesome weekend at L.A. Live and continues to build relationships with the community.