Groundbreaking of the Watts Empowerment Film & Music Studio 

The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) and The Watts Empowerment Center, in partnership with the City of Los Angeles and the State of California, broke ground on a new Film & Music Studio in Watts. Taking place following Juneteenth on Saturday, June 21, 2025, the event served as a celebration of creative arts in the community.  

“Our community is coming together in pride to celebrate construction work on the Watts Empowerment Film & Music Studio during this Juneteenth Weekend, and we have so much to celebrate,” said Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson (D-Carson). “As a representative for the Watts community who was born and raised in this neighborhood, I have always believed a space such as this could serve our multigenerational family of artists and creators in meaningful ways. I consider it an honor to consistently advocate for funding that goes to the wonderful things happening at the Watts Empowerment Center, and we deserve no less.”  

Photo courtesy of the Office of Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson.

The Watts Empowerment Center, located in the heart of HACLA’s Imperial Courts public housing site, is a 12,900 sq ft state-of-the-art facility committed to the children, youth, and families within Watts. The new Film & Music studio, represents over $3 million in investment by the City of Los Angeles through the City’s Community Development Block Grant funds with assistance from the State of California’s Art Council and the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles.  The Film and Music Studio, once built, will add 2,000 sq ft and provide locals with a place where they can discover their purpose and develop their talents with the help of top industry and business professionals in the music and film industry.   

“We are incredibly grateful to the City of Los Angeles, the California Arts Council, and the Watts Empowerment Center for their generous investments to build and program this film and music studio in Watts” said Lourdes Castro Ramirez, President & CEO of the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles. “The Watts Empowerment Film & Music Studio will be a state-of-the-art space for young people to develop technical skills, unleash their creativity, and prepare for careers in one of Los Angeles’ most dynamic industries—the entertainment industry. This collaboration exemplifies HACLA’s mission to build opportunity through affordable housing, job programs, and initiatives that help Angelenos succeed in college, career, and life.”   

Photo courtesy of the Office of Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson

The Imperial Courts Public Housing site is a 36-acre property providing deeply affordable housing to over 1,400 residents across 490 units of housing.   Forty-two percent of the population at Imperial Courts is under the age of 18 and participate in the incredible arts and education programs offered at the Watts Empowerment Center, located at the heart of Imperial Courts. The development of the Film and Music Studio will be done in concert with other significant improvements on the property including the renovation of the playgrounds and outdoor spaces and exterior painting and improvements to the residential buildings. 

“Watts has produced incredible talent over the years, and today’s groundbreaking is about making sure the next generation has a space to create right here at home,” said Councilmember Tim McOskar (Council District 15). “The new Watts Empowerment Film & Music Studio will be a place where local artists can develop and share their stories in their communities. This is what investing in homegrown talent looks like.” 

Photo courtesy of the Office of Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson

“This studio is more than walls with lights and sound – it’s a dream we’ve fought to bring to life,” said Justin Mayo, Founder & Executive Director, Watts Empowerment Center. “It’s a creative sanctuary built in the heart of Watts, where talent too often goes unseen. Young people will walk through these doors and know: their voice matters, their story belongs, and their future is worth building.” 

Photo courtesy of the Office of Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson

Construction of this studio begins this Summer, with plans to open by Fall 2026. The Watts Empowerment Film & Music Studio will feature a main live room for professional film, music, and performance recording. There will be three control rooms in addition to a vocal booth for recording and post-production. The music recording program at Watts Empowerment Center began eight years ago in a converted maintenance closet. The community has wanted to be at the forefront of the industry, and their passion combined with the support of our funders has culminated in this groundbreaking today. Construction of the Film and Music Studio will prioritize jobs for residents of Imperial Courts and Watts and we expect that the new programs will generate jobs on site in training and education and prepare our residents for jobs in the entertainment industry. 

“Watts gave us the struggle, the strength, and the story — now it’s time we give it the spotlight,” said Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith, Founder and CEO of T.D.E. “This studio ain’t just brick and mortar — it’s a launchpad for the next generation of storytellers, dreamers, and legends from our own backyard. Proud to break ground on something that’s gonna break cycles.”  

Photo courtesy of the Office of Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson