Give a Beat 2024 Impact Report
2024:
United Through Music,
Empowered for Justice
Give a Beat uses the power of music as a pathway to healing and opportunity for those impacted by the criminal justice system.
We envision a world where those most affected adversely by incarceration are not only shown compassion and dignity, but are empowered to forge talents and creative careers.
Give a Beat addresses the continuum of incarceration by using music as a catalyst for change. Through our programs and activations that engage with the music industry, we help widen pathways for people to thrive, reduce recidivism, encourage empathy, and unite to contribute to the larger transformation of the criminal justice system.
Youth Music Production & DJ Program
In partnership with the Arts for Healing & Justice Network, Give a Beat delivers our music education to young people from underserved communities and high-stressed environments.
2024 Impact
509
Participants Enrolled
362
Total Hours of Instruction
213
Total Workshops
Participant Outcomes
The following outcomes reflect key themes and insights gathered from participant experiences in 2024. These qualitative findings highlight the impact of our program as shared through the voices and journeys of our youth.
Redirecting Lives
Empowerment through Music: Participants reflected on how the program empowered them to take control of their musical interests and envision future careers in music.
Participant Engagement: Numerous participants transitioned from observers to active DJs in the class. Several youth expressed intentions to pursue DJing and music production post-program.
Community and Connection: The program fosters a sense of community, reconnecting old friends and building new supportive relationships. Social networks are a key pillar in reducing recidivism.
Building Self-Esteem
Overcoming Challenges: Participants overcame initial hesitations, building confidence and technical skills in DJing and music production.
Skill Development: Participants quickly grasped the basics of DJing, demonstrating the ability to mix and transition tracks effectively within short timeframes. Many students mentioned that the process was easier than they initially expected.
Positive Feedback: Positive feedback from youth, Teaching Artists, and community officers bolstered participants’ confidence and motivation.
Creative Self-Expression
Cultural Diversity: The integration of diverse cultural elements into music projects allowed youth to express their unique identities.
Telling Stories Through Music: Students embraced creative ownership and individuality in their music. For example, Diego's "Vibe 2.0" and Jade's "A Sunny Wednesday” showcased their unique perspectives and experiences.
Collaboration: Collaborative music sessions and reunions strengthened community bonds, fostering a shared sense of purpose and creativity.
Photos by Emily Rifkin & Give a Beat Community
Program Updates
Fresh Tracks
The Fresh Tracks Program completed its third cycle, continuing as a youth reentry initiative in partnership with Jail Guitar Doors, Street Poets, and Give a Beat. Participants explored various creative disciplines, including beatmaking, music production, filmmaking, and creative writing. As a highlight of their work, they created a collaborative music video titled "Resilience," which showcases their combined talents (currently undergoing edits and not for public release). The program also partnered with INFAMOUS PR to host an engaging industry panel featuring music industry professionals.
Give a Beat expanded its reach by starting new programming at Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall and Lennox Park while continuing to offer impactful sessions at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall, Kirby Juvenile Camp, and Rose City Alternative High School.
Programming Sites
DYD Youth Summit
At the 2024 Los Angeles County Department of Youth Development (DYD) Summit, Give a Beat was invited to participate in an inspiring event centered on healing and self-expression for youth impacted by systemic challenges. With 500 attendees—including over 300 youth participants—the Summit featured eight interactive workshops, including Give a Beat’s "Stitching Youth Empowerment" session. This workshop focused on uplifting youth by connecting them with resources and opportunities to build skills, empower voices, and foster overall development. Our DJing and Beat Making Workshop allowed youth to explore their creativity and connect through music, guided by our talented Teaching Artists and alumni: Koeppell, Shaine, Malachi, Billy, Todd, and Angela. Additionally, Give a Beat Records artists geriFree and Pelligroso energized the stage with dynamic DJ sets.
Angela reflected on the event, saying, "The summit was an incredible day for the community and for Give a Beat. Watching Geri and Koeppell DJ and our staff engage participants through music was truly inspiring."
Stories from Our Blog
In Their Own Words
Prison Electronic Music Program
In collaboration with Arts in Corrections, a program under the California Arts Council, the Prison Electronic Music Program is a 6 week curriculum providing a transformative music experience of self-expression, healing, education and transferable life skills. We teach at the California State Prison, Los Angeles County (LAC), California Correctional Institution (CCI), and California Rehabilitation Center (CRC).
2024 Impact
149
Participants Enrolled
31
Cohort Cycles
504
Total Hours of Instruction
126
Classes
Participant Outcomes
The following outcomes are based on participant feedback from pre- and post-evaluation forms completed during Sessions 1 to 5 in 2024. These insights highlight the impact of the Prison Electronic Music Program through the experiences and reflections of those involved.
Positive Social Groups
The program engaged 149 incarcerated men, ranging in age from 23 to 57 years old.
It reinforced PEMP’s role in empowering individuals, promoting skill development, and supporting personal transformation.
Digital & Technical Literacy
The program achieved a 77% program completion rate, showcasing participants’ dedication.
Participants demonstrated a 139% increase in DJing skills, highlighting technical skill development.
Music as a mood-shifter, peace builder, tool for conflict resolution
The program received 100% positive feedback, with participants expressing satisfaction and enthusiasm.
The curriculum provided hands-on learning opportunities, fostering confidence and creative expression.
It encouraged a deeper connection to music as a tool for self-expression and a potential vocational path.
Photos by Sergio Miranda
Artist Relations Initiative
This year, Give a Beat launched an artist relations initiative, spearheaded by Angela Ramirez, aka Spiñorita, to deepen connections between the music industry and individuals impacted by the justice system. As part of this effort, we welcomed five talented Guest Artists to participate in our Prison Electronic Music Program.
These artists shared their time, expertise, and passion, leading interactive workshops that inspired participants to explore creative expression through music. Sessions included live DJ demonstrations, collaborative beatmaking, and discussions about the transformative power of music. The artists not only provided hands-on instruction but also offered participants a glimpse into the music industry, fostering meaningful dialogue and motivation.
By building proximity between those experiencing injustice and the music industry, this initiative is helping to change the narrative and open new pathways of opportunity. We are grateful to these artists for their contributions and look forward to growing this program in the years ahead.
Meet the Guest Artists
-
Thurston
“Working with Give a Beat was one of the most fulfilling experiences of my career. Music has such a unique way of connecting and empowering.”
-
BB Shaine
“I had never been to prison before, and this experience completely changed my perspective. It opened my eyes to the fact that incarcerated individuals are just like us (on the outside) —genuine, relatable, and full of potential.”
-
DJ Kita
“The class that I taught was very welcoming, respectful, and also very funny. It was nice to hear the class’s opinions on their music taste. It really warms my heart that a program like this exists because it can show people a different way. It felt so rewarding to share the gift of DJing and music with them. That was an experience I’ll always remember.”
-
Caleb Stone
“If you have a chance to support this program, write a letter or donate to Give a Beat. It can have a significant impact on making prisons actually rehabilitative. I was amazed that it existed. This initiative needs to grow, and it should be happening.”
-
Juliet Mendoza
“Music helps us express our emotions and feelings. We can dance and release. You don't need to understand the same language to comprehend movement. It is an amazing tool that should be used in correctional facilities as a resource for counseling and therapy. I believe that music can be utilized on a larger scale.”
Explore DJ Drew Giggity’s Journey with Give a Beat
"Music was the best way for me to deal with some of the circumstances I was facing… Being involved in this program provided me with motivation, support and overall allowed me to be a better person. I wanted to be involved in this group to give that back to other people and allow them to also feel love through music. Music humanizes us to heal and forgive." - DJ Drew Giggity
Stories from Our Blog
In Their Own Words
Alumni Updates
The Give a Beat Alumni Program is designed to assist graduates of our On a New Track Reentry Mentoring Program by offering support for reintegration, mentorship, and career opportunities within the music industry. Spearheaded by former incarcerated artists Geri Meyers and Anthony McDuffie, this program seeks to empower those impacted by the justice system through workshops focused on skill development and fostering valuable connections.
Sponsored On a New Track graduate Sithy and his fellow comrade Laura in their Path to Pardon initiative, raising $5,000 to fight their deportation.
Give a Beat Alumni co-produced Anthony’s “My Life in Poetry” book release party. His book is available here.
Our "On a New Track" alumni DJs geriFree, Pelligroso, and Sithy were invited to perform at Together We Thrive, hosted by the Los Angeles County Justice, Care and Opportunities Department (JCOD).
At the DYD Youth Summit, Give a Beat Records artists geriFree and Pelligroso delivered dynamic DJ sets, with Pelligroso also teaching a workshop alongside our Teaching Artists.
Supporters
Board Members
We extend our deepest gratitude to our 2024 Board Members for their steadfast dedication to Give a Beat's mission. Their collective vision, passion, and tireless advocacy have been instrumental in driving our organization forward. By generously contributing their time, expertise, and resources, they have helped us expand programs, foster creativity, and create meaningful opportunities for those impacted by systemic challenges. The profound impact of their leadership and commitment will resonate throughout our community for years to come.
-
Lauren Segal
-
Virginia Cheung
-
Todd Roberts
-
Danielle Carrillo
-
Vladimir Acevedo
-
Scott Ryan
Advisory Board
-
Ben Annand
-
Julia Bitriceanu
-
Candice Fliedner - Cuellar
-
Eli Goldstein
-
Terri Harel
-
Michael Mendoza
-
Lara Lyko
-
Tomas Palermo
-
Jack Piatt
-
Jessica Poche
-
Christina Rinker
-
Mat Segal
-
Melissa Segal
-
Asya Shein
-
Lynn Tejada
-
Jim Tremayne
-
Russell Wardlow
-
Josh Weiss
Donors and Grantors
Coalitions for Social Justice
Through strong partnerships and shared vision, we collaborate with like-minded organizations to drive meaningful social change and create a more equitable future.
Partners
2024 Community Activations
Give a Beat Billboard at TCL Chinese Theatres on Hollywood Blvd, thanks to Orange Barrel Media. Check it out on Instagram.
During Fresh Tracks, a youth reentry program, we collaborated with INFAMOUS PR to host a panel featuring music industry experts Brice Ormesher, Tomas Palermo, Sam Mobarek, and Megan Dembkowski.
This year, we teamed up with Stacey Hotwaxx Hale to release Pure Joy (Hotwaxx & HazMat Live Remix). We celebrated with a Twitch Release Party and a presence at Stacey’s Sheometry festival. Learn more about the remix here.
Fair Chances Campaign
During Second Chance Month in April, Give a Beat celebrated by launching the “I Give a Beat for Fair Chances” campaign to spotlight systemic challenges faced by our community and advocate for change. The campaign emphasized that people of color have been unfairly deprived of opportunities from the start, making the concept of a "second chance" insufficient. Instead, the initiative aimed to educate the public while advocating for increased arts programming in prisons and juvenile halls, along with reducing barriers to reentry. As part of the campaign, Give a Beat hosted its first Twitch Raid Train, produced and hosted by Spiñorita, featuring DJs DJ Twomp, Vinyl Honey, DJ Sweet Tooth, EboniATL, DJ Icy Ice, and geriFree. Additional promotional support came from artists MizSkoden, DJ Nova Soul, geriFree, Malachi Mott, DJ Franchise, DJ DeepTwerk, Spiñorita, and Metro Sessions.
Learn about the power of the arts and read firsthand perspectives from our participants on the importance of fair chances:
Groove for Good
Groove for Good united music and social justice on December 6, 2024, at The Stowaway in Los Angeles. Featuring iconic Beat Junkies Icy Ice and Mr. Choc, alongside Spiñorita, DJ Kita, Thurston, BB Shaine, geriFree, and Pelligroso, the lineup showcased DJs who are advocates for change. Many have served as Guest Artists in the Prison Electronic Music Program, teach in Give a Beat’s programs, or are graduates of On a New Track. With two rooms of live music and stories of transformation, the event celebrated music’s ability to heal and inspire stronger, unified communities.
Special thanks to the incredible DJs, our host Anthony McDuffie Jr., the alumni and staff who made the event possible (Billy, Chaz, Lafonzo, Lakrisha, Lauren, Robert, Shaine, and Todd), and our amazing partners (Metro Sessions, Green Galactic, Fusicology). Gratitude also to Emily Rifkin for capturing the event so beautifully.
Why we Give a Beat:
Join Our Movement
In 2024, we’ve worked tirelessly to inspire creativity, build community, and foster justice. But the work isn’t done. With your support, we can continue to expand our impact, amplifying voices and creating pathways for change. Together, we can make a lasting difference—join our movement today!