Streetlights’ mission is to create viable careers, not just jobs, for young adults who are Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) and from low-income households, many with socioeconomic barriers, to work as qualified crew members on television, features, streaming and commercial productions. Our goal is to create ethnic and racial diversity and living wage careers in the Entertainment Industry.

Since 1992 Streetlights has been redressing the inequity of gender and racial hiring practices behind-the-camera across all media platforms. Through Job Training, Job Placement and Career Advancement, Streetlights has made inroads in every department, from Production Assistant to Producer, from Stylist to Showrunner.As more graduates enter the workforce, they contribute to the much-needed diversification of the Entertainment Industry.

Streetlights is the only entity in the country solely dedicated to providing jobs in any significant numbers—followed by career advancement—creating viable professions in the Entertainment Industry for young adults of color from disadvantaged neighborhoods. Founded in the wake of the Los Angeles riots, this groundbreaking organization was on the forefront of bringing a skilled, ethnically diverse workforce to the behind-thecamera world of film, TV, commercials, and all media platforms. 

How it Works

The program’s initial focus is on obtaining Production Assistant (PA) positions, which is a time-honored way to gain access to the Entertainment Industry workforce. Taught by industry professionals, the aspiring PAs learn the varied skills necessary to be of true assistance to the production companies from their very first day on the job. Mentoring, job counseling and financial assistance for those in need are also vital parts of the services provided to all students.

Immediate and on-going Job Placement may be the most valuable component of the program. To start, the new graduates work primarily on entry-level, short-term, freelance jobs. Through Streetlights, they are provided a flow of work for the first six months that allows them to learn on-the-job, increase their skills, and build their contactsand resumes. This process also introduces PAs to the various crew positions and job categories, encouragingthem to find the one that best suits their talents and interests.

Upon graduation, placement is provided into entry-level jobs as PAs and, with between one and two years production experience, Streetlights facilitates advancement into long-term staff positions or moves them into Union Traineeships leading to Union membership. For those whom the Union track is not desirable, advanced job placements are secured with networks, studios, and production companies. Advanced training is arranged for Union Trainees that may need a practicum to gain access to Union Trainee opportunities.

Streetlights has created a pathway to Union Membership for graduates who want to join one of the I.A.T.S.E. Craft Unions (i.e.,Camera, Set Design, Theatrical Lighting, Wardrobe, etc.). Through the Studio and Commercial Diversity Initiatives, our production partners hire a Union Trainee each of their projects, facilitating required eligibility days for these experienced graduates, leading to membership in the Union of their choice.

Achievements

In 2020 Streetlights had its first Academy Award Winner. Director Matthew A. Cherry won the Oscar for Best Animated Short Film, Hair Love. Since then he’s been working non-stop directing programs including Saved by the Bell, Kings of Napa, Black-ish, Abbot Elementary, Bel-Air, The Wonder Years, and many, many more.

And Graduate Randy Huggins is the Creator and Producer/ Show Runner of the Starz series, Black Mafia Family (BMF).

Throughout our history Streetlights graduates have worked on thousands of television commercials and music videos, as well as feature films, television seriesand streaming media.Many are members of the Directors Guild, the Writers Guild and the Film Academy. Hundreds have moved into Union careers as Directors of Photography, Wardrobe Stylists, Make Up Artists, Theatrical Lighting Technicians, Producers, Unit Production Managers, Production Designers and more.

Expanding Our Borders

When looking to expand our footprint, Streetlights chose Atlanta as the first city outside of Los Angeles and in October 2022 Streetlights successfully launched its Atlanta Pilot Training Class, graduating 14 Atlanta locals who have since been working on commercials, in television, and on features, including the Disney series Genius, and Francis Ford Coppola’sMegalopolis.

Streetlights receives support from individual donors, foundations and through Corporate, Advertiser and Studios partnerships including Paramount Global, NBC Universal, Amazon Studios, Walmart, GSD&M, Procter & Gamble, Hackman Capital Partners, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, City National Bank, and the Johnny Carson Foundation, among others.

With Streetlights' comprehensive Job Training, guaranteed Job Placement and ongoing Career Advancement services, graduates are able to achieve economic self-sufficiency, provide for their families with living wage jobs, buy health insurance, purchase homes and contribute to more secure communities. The professional education and practical experience provided by Streetlights allow participants to achieve long-term economic growth and social parity for themselves and their families.