The Entrepreneur Education Center Inc. (EECI) successfully hosted its 3rd annual Gaming and Animation Summit on Sept. 28, at the EECI Steven Bradford Global Communications Center in Gardena.
The summit brought together a community of aspiring game developers, animators, and digital creators from underserved communities in Los Angeles, offering valuable insight, education, and networking opportunities.
The event, moderated by 94.7 The Wave’s Frankie Ross, featured an impressive lineup of industry professionals, including tech entrepreneur Joshua Owens, media innovator Carles (CJ) Juzang of Abyssinia Media Group, USC Interactive Media and Games Professor Jim Huntley, CEDC Chief of Partnerships and Programs Renee Moncito, VG Entertainment Owner/Operator Mark Wimby, Professor Timothy Conley of ASU, Sony Pictures Animation Illustrator and Visual Developer Will Coyner, and Voice Actor Dave Fennoy. Panelists gave engaging presentations, and attendees participated in discussions on game design, animation, programming, and career development strategies.
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“Very informative, looking forward to attending again. Really great speakers, I was really inspired by what I heard,” said David from Hawthorne, reflecting on the value the summit provided to participants looking to break into the industry.
The summit’s main focus was on connecting local talents with professionals already working in these creative fields. It provided an open space for discussions about the challenges and opportunities in the fast-evolving world of gaming and animation.
“It really opened my eyes to how to get into the animation industry and that it’s the connection with the people that you meet, and this gave us an opportunity to meet the people,” shared Ebony from Lawndale, highlighting the importance of networking and relationship-building as key takeaways from the event.
Designed for aspiring creators from low-to-medium income (LMI) communities, the summit also aimed to inspire younger attendees by sharing success stories and experiences from top industry leaders.
“I thought it was really cool to see how people became who they are and that it requires a lot of hard work, and then it all pays off,” said 10-year-old Cyrus from Los Angeles, excited by the motivational stories shared by speakers.
EECI’s mission to empower the community was reinforced through this event, providing a roadmap for young artists, programmers, and game enthusiasts to navigate the professional landscape. This summit is the first of many future events that will continue to cultivate local talent and promote diversity in the gaming and animation industries.
“Our goal was to provide a platform for aspiring creators to not only learn new skills but
also to build lasting connections with industry professionals who can guide them in their careers. The summit exceeded our expectations in achieving that,” said Curtis, one of the event organizers.
EECI’s 3rd annual Gaming and Animation Summit was live-streamed, and a replay can be viewed on YouTube at https://youtube.com/live/I5nYxlPSrsI. For more information about EECI and upcoming programs, visit https://entrepreneureducationalcenter.org.
