Shaping ASCEND: A Focus Group for Creatives & Business Leaders
Be part of the conversation with creatives and business leaders designing ASCEND - a creative workforce program built to create pathways for the next generation of female creatives.
Time & Location
Jan 17, 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Long Beach, 145 W Broadway Suite 106, Long Beach, CA 90802, USA
About the event
Join the conversation shaping ASCEND (Advancing Students in Creative Enterprise and Nex-Gen Design) - a creative workforce initiative designed to build pathways for the next generation of female creatives in Long Beach.
As part of our planning phase, we’re inviting local creatives, employers in media and tech, education leaders, small business owners, city officials, and community visionaries to participate in a roundtable-style focus group. Your insights will help shape how ASCEND trains, connects, and creates meaningful opportunities for emerging talent in our region.
We’ll explore:
What creative skills and tools matter most in today’s economy
How to build real-world opportunities for underrepresented creatives
What partnerships and pathways should be prioritized