Our Mission
Building Beats provides DJ and music programs that teach entrepreneurial, leadership, and life skills to underserved youth.
Build Beats, Build Skills
CREATIVITY
Students leave our workshops with the ability to think outside the box.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Our students learn the skills necessary to thrive in the 21st century workplace through music making.
LEADERSHIP
Our work teaches students how to make an impact in their schools and communities.
PRODUCTION
We empower students to become makers and producers in their communities.
COLLABORATION
Teamwork makes the dream work. Our students learn how to work with others to produce big projects.
TECHNOLOGY
Technological literacy is important in today's world. We use the latest hardware and software to teach students crucial tech skills.
Meet Briette
This short documentary highlights our work with students by telling the story of Briette, one of our bbLeaders who is an aspiring singer and DJ.
Our Impact
What Our Students Have Said
“Technology is the best, it can only help you. I like to sample a lot. I like to listen to a lot of music to get ideas. Having internet or computers I can check my mom’s music, or search for my own.”
JEBRYL
LJ
“The lesson I really picked up from the class, is that it’s good to understand all the aspects of music. It makes me a better producer.”
“Diversity ... is important because I don’t want to make the same stuff over and over again. If someone wants to try something new, I’m down to do it. ... If you try new things you’ll see new things and new places.”
DEVONTE
ENIS
“We don’t really have the chance to be around equipment like this. I’m really grateful that Building Beats got to come and help us make music.”
6000+ Youth
105 Sites
5000+ Workshops
NYC + LA
What Do We Do
We believe in using students' passion for music as a pathway to build entrepreneurial skills.
Becoming a DJ or producer reinforces the same skills needed to run a business, become a leader, and change the world.
We envision a world where everyone can realize their creative potential and use it to make a difference in their community.
We partner with organizations and programs that share this vision.
100% of the contributions we raise online go toward supporting programs that allow students to express themselves through DJ'ing, music and art, while developing personal skills that will help propel them to a brighter future.
We're Building Life Skills by Building Beats.
Support a student. Every month.
We're on a mission to build the next generation of producers, creators, and makers. Join The Legacy to create lasting change in music and technology education.
In the Press
Our Supporters
Here are a few of our friends who've supported our work
Donuts Are Forever
An annual event in celebration of Dilla organized by Rare Form NYC to benefit the Donuts Are Forever Scholarship Fund to provide digital music production workshops for youth in NYC.
awkwafina
Rapper-Actress Awkwafina has donated proceeds from her music sales to directly support our work as well as provided mentorship to many of our top students.
The Rub
Donated proceeds from their monthly party's happy hour to Building Beats as well as donated equipment for students to use in our workshops.
jasmine solano
DJ, host and curator Jasmine Solano has supported our work through her popular Club House Global platform on Twitch, both by fundraising and providing an outlet to showcase our students' music.