Code Next Inglewood, powered by Hollywood Park and with support from Google, officially opened its doors on May 30, marking a step toward expanding access to technology and artificial intelligence (AI) education for local youth.
The celebratory event welcomed more than 50 students, community leaders, and special guests for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house at the new lab, located at the Shops at Hollywood Park.
Hosted by Super Bowl Champion, Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, and Los Angeles Rams Legend Andrew Whitworth, the event featured remarks from Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts, Travis Sampson, senior vice president and chief technology officer at SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park; Angela Courtin, vice president of Marketing at YouTube and local Google office leader; and Dr. Jim Morris, county administrator of Inglewood Unified School District.
The new Code Next Lab—the first in Southern California—offers a free tech and AI education program that meets high school students in their own communities and provides the skills and inspiration they need for long and rewarding careers in technology. Within the Code Next Lab, local students will gain access to hands-on training, mentorship, state-of-the-art technical equipment, and a comprehensive curriculum covering topics from JavaScript programming to user experience (UX) design. The Inglewood lab will also have a unique focus on gaming and production.
“We are honored to host the first Code Next Lab across Southern California right here at
Hollywood Park and are proud to work with our partner Google to help inspire the next
generation of innovators,” said Sampson.
“Media, entertainment and technology infuse all that we do at SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park, across our award-winning venues, global events, and groundbreaking experiences like COSM, Cinepolis and CineVita.
“Code Next Lab embodies both the innovation and commitment to community which serve as the foundation of what we continue to build here at our game-changing live, work, play destination.”
“This is what meaningful community investment looks like—education, access, and a commitment to our youth,” said Butts.
“The Code Next Lab at Hollywood Park, a place where entertainment, media and technology converge, will help cultivate a pipeline of local talent for the burgeoning tech industry, right here in our backyard — more jobs, more opportunity and a more vibrant economy. It’s a win for our city and a model for how public-private partnerships can deliver real, lasting impact in our community.”
“We believe in the power of technology to unlock new opportunities and shape brighter futures for the next generation,” said Courtin.
“We are proud to help provide these talented students essential skills and inspiration to become the innovators and problem-solvers of tomorrow.”
“Growing up, I never could’ve imagined a space like this in my own neighborhood—a place
where kids can walk in, get hands-on with real technology, and see a future in tech and AI that
includes them. Code Next Inglewood is more than a lab—it’s a launching pad,” said Whitworth.
“It’s about breaking barriers, building confidence, and showing our youth they belong in these
rooms. I’m proud to be a part of this incredible moment and can’t wait to see the next generation
of innovators rise up right here in Inglewood.”
The event concluded with a community open house and celebration, where students, families, and community members explored the lab’s collaborative spaces, experienced examples of the programming and connected with partners and educators.
