Celebrating Black History Month and Excellence at the Best Buy Teen Tech Center
Investing in our future On Wednesday, February 25, 2026 in celebration of Black History Month, VSEDC’s Best Buy Teen Tech Center buzzed with more than just technology—it was filled with the sounds of future leaders exhibiting the blueprint to their success. Our recent showcase highlighted the inspirational impact of academic support, workforce development, entrepreneurship, peer-to-peer learning, and the power of mentorship. The event was a beautiful reminder that when […]
Honoring Marva: A Legacy of Empowering South LA
Indomitable is the spirit of VSEDC Founder Marva Smith Battle-Bey, a visionary icon whose tireless efforts laid the foundation for economic growth and empowerment in South LA. Transitioning into Women’s History Month, reflecting on her legacy and the impact of women in economic development and entrepreneurship is essential. Marva endeavored to confront the steady economic […]
Waymo Inspires at South LA Best Buy Teen Tech Center
Under the vibrant Sun in the heart of South LA, the future pulled up, parked, and invited everyone in. Arriving at South LA Best Buy Teen Tech Center with a whisper and a hum, the Waymo self-driving car widened the eyes of excited and curious faces of local students and community members. The community buzzed, […]
VSEDC is excited to partner with Amazon!
VSEDC’s Best Buy Teen Tech Center (BBTTC) is excited to start a digital partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS)! We will start offering certification preparation courses for piloting drones and using the customer relationship management software Salesforce, thanks to funding from Amazon to support and enhance digital education and innovation for South LA’s community youth […]
YIA Pitch Competition Unfolds at Spotify’s Creative Campus: Shaping the Future of Innovation
Bright minds and hopeful hearts filled Spotify’s Downtown Los Angeles campus this month as young entrepreneurs took center stage at the inaugural Young Innovators Accelerator (YIA) Pitch Competition. Sponsored by the Calley Foundation, AnnenbergTech, the Greater LA Education Foundation, and Best Buy, this competition marked a watershed moment in tech innovation for the youth of […]
HBCU Bound: South LA Teen Tech Center Students Awarded UNCF Scholarships
Reward comes to those who work hard and dream big. This statement holds true for two students at South LA Best Buy Teen Tech Center, Jimmy Wilson and Kinaya Smith. The students were recently awarded scholarships from the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) in partnership with Best Buy. This prestigious award, open to just a […]
A Brighter Future: South LA Best Buy Teen Tech Center Partners with 100 Black Men of Los Angeles, Inc.
In the ongoing mission to inspire, uplift, and empower the young minds of the community, the South LA Best Buy Teen Tech Center (SLA BBTTC) is thrilled to announce a new collaboration with the Los Angeles chapter of 100 Black Men of America, Inc. This nationally renowned mentoring organization shares our commitment to youth development and […]
Celebrating Youth Innovation at the 2023 Youth Entrepreneurial Challenge Finals
VSEDC is brimming with pride as we celebrate the achievements of our brilliant students at the recently concluded 2023 Union Bank Youth Entrepreneurial Challenge (YEC) in partnership with NFTE. The air was thick with anticipation at The Beehive, Los Angeles, on April 29, 2023, as the finalists vied for the top spot. The day was […]
Registration for the 2023 Young Innovators Accelerator (YIA) is Open!
Vermont Slauson Economic Development Corporation (VSEDC) is delighted to introduce the 2023 Young Innovators Accelerator (YIA). This program unites 50 high school students from three Best Buy Teen Tech Centers across Los Angeles, including the South LA Teen Tech Center, in an engaging tech innovation challenge. YIA allows students to delve into their interests and […]
Congrats Julian Page, on First Place
Let’s give a round of applause to Julian Page, a student at the South LA Best Buy Teen Tech Center (SLABBTC), for winning first place at the 2022 Union Bank Youth Entrepreneurial Challenge (YEC)! His idea around NFT’s captivated the judges and earned him a $2,000 prize. And get this, he was coached by none […]
