Give a Beat 2025 Annual Impact Report
2025: A Decade
of Amplifying the Sound of Resilience
Give a Beat uses the power of music as a pathway to healing and opportunity for people impacted by the criminal justice system.
This year marked a decade of Give a Beat, reflecting both organizational longevity and powerful, measurable impact. In 2025, our programs collectively engaged over 800 participants across the continuum of incarceration: from system-involved youth and incarcerated adults to returning citizens building creative income-generating pathways through our Alumni Network. Our work continued to validate the profound potential of music as a tool for healing, skill development, and systemic change. Through our programs, we witnessed countless personal breakthroughs and fostered communities defined by resilience and connection.
Youth Music Production & DJ Program
In partnership with the Arts for Healing & Justice Network and the Los Angeles County of Parks & Recreation, Give a Beat delivers our music education program to young people from underserved communities and high-stressed environments.
2025 Impact
540
Participants Enrolled
427
Total Hours of Instruction
341
Total Workshops
Photos by Emily Rifkin & Give a Beat Community
Program Updates
DJ Academy with LA County Parks
We launched the DJ Academy In partnership with the County of Los Angeles Department of Parks & Recreation. Located at parks in East LA and Compton, Teaching Artists lead recurring 10-week intensive programs for youth ages 12–17, offering hands-on instruction with professional DJ equipment from Serato and Pioneer. Through live performances at cultural arts events, community gatherings, and summer concerts, participants gain real-world experience while exploring music as a source of connection, expression, and leadership.
Rooted in Us Youth Summit
Give a Beat participated in the Los Angeles County Department of Youth Development’s Rooted in Us Youth Summit, held at the Beehive in South Central Los Angeles. The team engaged hundreds of young people through back-to-back DJ workshops, with alumnus Koeppell providing live DJ sets and five Teaching Artists, including alumni Daniel and Geri, leading hands-on instruction across five workstations, reaching approximately 350 youth. The event offered an accessible entry point for youth to explore music, collaboration, and creative expression at scale.
Girls Empowerment Conference
For the second consecutive year, Give a Beat participated in the Girls Empowerment Conference in partnership with the Department of Youth Development and LA County Parks & Recreation. Aligned with the conference’s focus on healthy relationships, career exploration, mindfulness, entrepreneurship, and empowerment, mentor–mentee Teaching Artists Angela and Geri led two DJ workshops engaging hundreds of teenage girls from across LA County.
In Their Own Words
Spotlight: A First Dance in Juvenile Hall
Give a Beat Teaching Artist, Angela (aka Spiñorita) brought a piece of the outside in by DJing a formal dance at Nidorf Barry J. Juvenile Hall. As classic oldies filled the room, couples began dancing, creating a moment of joy, connection, and shared celebration. For many of the youth, this was their first dance.
In the midst of the excitement, one young person asked, “Is this what prom is like?” The question underscored how meaningful these moments can be and how rarely they are available to youth in confinement. The evening offered a glimpse of normalcy and celebration, highlighting the impact of bringing music, movement, and human connection into carceral spaces.
Prison Electronic Music Program
In collaboration with Arts in Corrections, a program under the California Arts Council, the Prison Electronic Music Program is a year-round, multi-cohort program. The 6 week curriculum provides a transformative music experience of self-expression, healing, education and transferable life skills. In 2025, we taught at 4 California state prisons: California Correctional Institution (CCI), California State Prison, Los Angeles County (LAC), California Rehabilitation Center (CRC), and Wasco State Prison (WSP).
2025 Impact
276
Participants Enrolled
23
Cohort Cycles
414
Total Hours of Instruction
138
Classes
Photos by Emily Rifkin
Program Updates
Expansion to Six Prisons in 2026
In 2025, Give a Beat’s Prison Electronic Music Program secured six state contracts for 2026 programming, awarded by Arts in Corrections, a department of the California Arts Council, under a one-year term. These awards represent seven programming slots across six California state prisons: California Correctional Institution, California Institution for Women, Los Angeles County State Prison, Kern Valley State Prison, North Kern State Prison, and Wasco State Prison. This marks an expansion from four programming slots in 2025 to seven in 2026.
Through a competitive Rank 1 and Rank 2 evaluation process, Give a Beat applied for six contracts and secured all six, earning a Rank 1 designation in four of the six awards. Growing demand continues to shape this expansion, with active waitlists at Wasco State Prison, California Correctional Institution, and Los Angeles County State Prison. For the first time, our programming will also launch in a women’s facility, with Geri, a program alumna, bringing the power of music to women with whom she shares a common experience. These contracts expand access and deepens the reach of the Prison Electronic Music Program across the state.
Spotlight: Guest Artist, Zack Fox
This year, Zack Fox joined Give a Beat’s Prison Electronic Music Program at California Correctional Institution as a Guest Artist, sharing his craft, his story, and his belief in music as a tool for liberation. Participants were deeply engaged, asking thoughtful questions and reflecting on the impact of connecting with someone from outside the facility. As one participant shared, “Just being able to see people from the outside is helpful in reminding me that I’m human.”
The experience was equally meaningful for the Guest Artist. Reflecting afterward, Zack shared, “I’m grateful to be in the role of a teacher and also be taught. Honestly, I feel like I learned more today than I had to offer to the folks in here.” Moments like this underscore the power of Give a Beat’s Guest Artist model, which centers mutual learning, and connection—affirming music as a bridge to dignity, imagination, and shared humanity within carceral spaces.
“Helping folks in the thick of it all heal, even for a few hours, is a huge blessing… Black electronic music was birthed from that urge to resist oppression, be wildly imaginative, and build counter institutions.”
— Zack Fox
Participant Outcomes
The following outcomes are based on participant feedback from pre- and post-evaluation forms collected across program cycles in 2025. Evaluation design and analysis conducted by board member Natalie F. Williams Awodeha, Ph.D., BCBA, CRC.
Positive Social Groups
The program engaged 276 participants, ranging in age from 18 to 71 years old.
Participants reported increased connection and camaraderie, with median scores of 4 (Strongly Agree) across all 18 program cycles where data was collected.
Digital & Technical Literacy
Participants demonstrated substantial growth in their familiarity with Traktor professional DJ software, with 16 of 18 program cycles showing increases ranging from 100% to 300% from pre- to post-evaluation.
Music as a mood-shifter, peace builder, tool for conflict resolution
Participants reported less racial tension in the program compared to elsewhere in the facility, with median scores of 4 (Strongly Agree) across all 18 program cycles where data was collected.
Participants also reported more positive interactions within the program, with median scores ranging from 3.0 to 4.0. At 16 of the 18 program cycles, the median score was 4.0.
Stories of Resilience
In Their Own Words
Spotlight: From Class to Career Vision
During a closing circle, participants were asked to describe how they felt in one word. DJ Speed did not hesitate. “Motivated. I haven’t been this motivated in a long time.”
He shared that he is one class away from completing his business degree and that the experience with Give a Beat helped him believe he could return to music by starting his own record label. “This class made me feel like I can get back in the game,” he said. “I didn’t think any of that was possible anymore.”
“This is the best class I’ve ever had.
I feel like it gave me a new life.”
Alumni Network & Reentry Support
Supports creative life pathways with mentorship, skill-building, and community for returning residents.
2025 Impact
10
Active Participants
3
Workshops
18
Paid Gigs
Updates
DYD’s “Rooted in Us” Summer Series
Give a Beat alumni were featured performers in the LA County Department of Youth Development’s Rooted in Us Summer Series, bringing live DJ sets to five neighborhoods across Los Angeles County: Long Beach, the San Fernando Valley, Palmdale, East Los Angeles, and South Los Angeles. Alumni DJs geriFree, DMast, and DJ Robi delivered performances that expanded their professional experience while connecting with diverse community audiences.
Reflecting on the day, geriFree shared,
“The experience reinforced the importance of reading your audience and having a variety of genres to cater to the crowd. I truly felt the support from Give a Beat.”
Online Workshops with Industry Professionals
Give a Beat hosted a series of online workshops led by three industry professionals, offering alumni practical guidance on DJing, music marketing, and career readiness. Sessions included DJ Biz: Gigs & Press Kits with Lynn Tejada, Founder of Green Galactic PR; Getting Your Music Out There with Maddie Gavin, Product Manager at Ninja Tune; and Preparing Like a Pro with Adam Johan, Founder of IO Music Academy. These workshops supported alumni in building industry knowledge, professional tools, and pathways to paid opportunities.
Career Pathways: DJ Gigs
In 2025, Give a Beat alumni gained significant professional experience through 18 active engagements, including DJ performances at community gatherings and advocacy-focused events. Alumni performed at JUSTICE + ART JAM, Rising Scholars at West LA College, Style Meets Second Chances After Party, Aviva Caregiver Appreciation Day, the 2025 Girls Empowerment Conference, events with Arts for Healing and Justice Network, and more. These opportunities supported skill-building, income generation, and increased professional visibility through music.
Alumni Gatherings
Give a Beat hosted quarterly alumni gatherings to strengthen connection and camaraderie among returning artists. These gatherings featured open decks and informal performances, creating space for alumni to share music, support one another, and build community.
Stories of Resilience
Community Support and Industry Engagement
Community Engagement
17
Artists
5,477
Emails Subscribers
11,863
Followers
Supporting Artists
Adam After Hours
Andy Oro
Arlo Parks
DJ Audio1
DJ Sonny D
DJ Hi Note
DJ Icy Ice
DJ Promote
Juliet Mendoza
M-SwiftLA
Mad Gavs
Margelous
Metro Sessions
Nestalgic
Spiñorita
Thurston
Zack Fox
Supporter Engagement & Giving
272
Donations
186
Individual Donors
15
Fundraising Events
Fundraising Events
Groove Factory (3/8/2025)
Groove Factory (4/5/2025)
Groove Factory (5/10/2025)
Stacks and Tracks, Presented by Nate Reti
Groove Factory: Flora Frequencies
Groove Factory: Halloween
Honey’s, Presented by Maddie Gavin
Exposure Therapy at Brewjeria, Presented by Nestalgic
Real Ones Melrose House Christmas Party, Presented by Club Real Ones
Groove Factory: New Years Eve
Backyard Benefit, Presented by Big Neighborhood
Infinite Funk, Presented by Michelle
Dublab (radio drops & broadcast with Spiñorita and geriFree)
Real Ones Twitch Stream, Presented by Club Real Ones & Spiñorita
Throwback Bingo, Presented by Metro Sessions
Philanthropic & Institutional Support
Cain Family Foundation
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
Dan Lucas Memorial Fund
Don Levin Trust
Kindle Project
Zell Family Foundation
Partners
Join Our Movement
This work continues because of you.
As Give a Beat marks 10 years of programming, we are continuing to build a more sustainable and resilient future by diversifying our revenue streams and expanding pathways for support. From individual donors to institutional funding, each contribution plays a role in sustaining and growing our work across the continuum of incarceration and returning to the community.
Our alumni are an essential part of this ecosystem. Through DJing at events and participating in creative opportunities, they not only advance their own careers but also generate earned revenue that is reinvested back into the program, creating a cycle of opportunity and support.
There are many ways to give, including donor-advised funds (DAFs) through Fidelity, Schwab, or Vanguard, stock donations, and traditional contributions. However you choose to support, you are helping ensure that this work continues to reach those who need it most.
Join us in the next chapter.