PAYING IT FORWARD

Music Forward Foundation ED Nurit Smith hangs out with alumni Leslie Montoya, Despues Green,
Latisha Stephens and MFF Partnerships Manager Oswaldo Navarro at the org’s inaugural brunch.

Live Nation's national nonprofit arm, the Music Forward Foundation, raised $350k at its inaugural Hollywood Bowl and Golf Classic brunch.

Brunch honorees included Billie Eilish’s Happier Than Ever, the World Tour for its commitment to sustainability; Warner Music Group EVP Julian Petty for his leadership, which led to the establishment of the Warner Music/Blavatnik Center for Music and Entertainment Business at Howard University, and Broccoli City Festival co-founder Brandon McEachern for the fest’s social action campaign.

“This year already we’ve reached 22,000 young people across 46 states and 49 countries,” Music Forward Foundation Executive Director Nurit Smith said. “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 10/1 brunch included performances by foundation alum Hannah Abrahim and Kori Withers, who sang her father Bill’s hits. Celebrity attendees included Vince Staples, Slick Rick and Estelle.