300 CUSD Scholars Attend AEG Entertainment Careers Panel
Media Release
Compton Unified School District welcomed AEG and Tomorrow’s Talent to Compton High School for an inspiring Pathways to Entertainment: Celebrating Black History Month career panel, bringing together 300 scholars from Centennial, Chavez, Compton, Compton Early College, and Dominguez High Schools.
“Build discipline. Communicate face-to-face. Maintain a positive digital footprint.” That was the powerful advice Tamala Lewis, Senior Director of Community Affairs for Dignity Health Sports Park and LA Galaxy, shared with scholars as she emphasized that success begins with personal responsibility and strong communication skills. Her message set the tone for a deep discussion about preparation, professionalism, and opportunity in the entertainment industry.
AEG, a global leader in sports, music, and live entertainment, brought professionals from across its organization to share their career journeys, insights, and advice. From world-class venues like Crypto.com Arena — home of the Lakers and Kings — to Dignity Health Sports Park, home of the LA Galaxy, scholars gained direct access to the professionals who help create unforgettable experiences.
Industry Leaders Share Their Stories
Panelists included:
Tamala Lewis, Senior Director of Community Affairs, Dignity Health Sports Park & LA Galaxy
Nakya Carter, Event Specialist, AEG Global Partnerships
Chavante “Tae” Flakes, Talent Buyer, AEG Goldenvoice (Festivals & Concerts)
Juan A. McDavid, Broadcast Services, Crypto.com Arena
Jose Rubio, Graphic Designer, LA Galaxy Creative Services
Kyle Robinson, General Manager, The Novo (AEG)
The discussion was moderated by Compton High School scholar Andre Harris and Dominguez High School scholar Daisy Lucero, who guided a dynamic and engaging conversation.
Panelists offered compelling, practical advice grounded in lived experience. Kyle Robinson spoke candidly about leadership and resilience, sharing that he is often the only Black general manager in the room. His message: trust yourself and trust your experience. He also emphasized building strong foundational skills — including writing professional emails with proper grammar.
Chavante “Tae” Flakes encouraged scholars to embrace exploration. “It’s okay not to know what you want to do,” he shared. “Try a lot of things. Everything I did along the way helped me get here.” He reminded scholars that entertainment is not an easy industry and stressed the importance of believing in yourself and never stopping.
Nakya Carter highlighted the value of curiosity and internships in what she described as “a people industry.” She encouraged scholars to keep their options open, ask for guidance, and “do the heart work before the hard work” — emphasizing self-awareness and personal growth. As a first-generation college graduate, she reminded scholars of the power they carry to create new opportunities.
Tamala Lewis also urged scholars to take full advantage of the resources available to them, including CUSD’s state-of-the-art facilities. “When we were growing up, we didn’t have a performance center like this,” she said. “This is a gift. Take it all in like a sponge.” She also highlighted future opportunities connected to the 2028 Olympics and encouraged scholars to stand up, speak up, show up, and pull up.
Juan McDavid, a former teacher at Compton and Dominguez High Schools, offered guidance to scholars interested in technology and broadcast services. “There’s no faking it in tech,” he said. “Be honest about what you don’t know. Take notes. Use YouTube. Look it up and keep learning.”
Jose Rubio reassured scholars that uncertainty is part of the journey. “It’s okay not to know what you want to do,” he said. “You’ll figure it out.”
CUSD Board President Micah Ali, Vice President Michael Hooper, Board Members Satra Zurita, Dr. Ayanna Davis, and Denzell Perry were in attendance, along with Superintendent Dr. Darin Brawley and district and school leaders.
Through partnerships like AEG and Tomorrow’s Talent, Compton Unified continues to provide scholars with direct access to industry leaders, real-world mentorship, and pathways to high-demand careers — ensuring they are prepared not only to participate in the entertainment industry, but to lead it.