Oak View Group Launches Ascend DE&I Career Readiness Program

Oak View Group announced the launch of its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) program, Ascend, which will offer specialized tracks including Ascend HBCU, which focuses on career readiness for students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities; Ascend HSI, recruiting and providing career resources to students from Hispanic Serving Institutions; Ascend Women, focusing on women who are pursuing careers in sports and entertainment; Ascend Hospitality for students in underrepresented groups in hospitality and Ascend Backstage for those interested in venue management.

The program launches with an Ascend Backstage and HBCU Night experience on Dec. 13 at Baltimore’s CFG Bank Arena, where 85 HBCU students from the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia areas will have exclusive access to the behind-the-scenes at the venue, as well as industry panel discussions, a networking mixer and more. The show will end with “Nick Cannon Presents: MTV Wild ‘N out Live” at the arena.

“This program has the potential to revolutionize our talent pipelines and provide incredible opportunities for students seeking to enter the live entertainment industry,” Dr. Debonair Oates-Primus, VP of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at OVG said in a statement. “We’re particularly excited to launch Ascend at HBCU Night at CFG Bank Arena, where promising students will have the unique opportunity to work the show, experience the excitement firsthand, network with industry leaders and gain invaluable insights into how to succeed in our dynamic field. This is what real access looks like. Our goal is to not just open doors for these students, but to build ladders that lead to their success and advancement. Through experiential learning opportunities, mentorship, coaching and internships, we’re committed to providing the support and resources they need to thrive in their careers.”

Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott, Dr. Clara Ross Stamps (Chief Marketing and Communications Officer for Thurgood Marshall College Fund), Dr. Tammira Lucas (CEO/Founder of The Cube, Cowork, Venture Growth Advisor for the Urban Business Innovation Initiative at TEDCO and a professor at Coppin State University), Chanelle Reynolds (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Programs Lead at the Washington Commanders and Success Playbook Podcast Host with Revolt TV) and Nate Harris (General Manager of the Greater Richmond Convention Center) will share career insights to 70 students.

Ascend Backstage will also offer 20 students to a day of shadowing CFG Bank Arena staff, allowing them to have hands-on experience.

“My philosophy has always been that a building’s employees should mirror the diversity of its community,” Frank Remesch, SVP and General Manager of CFG Bank Arena, said in a statement. “Baltimore is a diverse city, and the majority of our employees are Baltimore City residents, with 60% of upper management coming from diverse backgrounds. CFG Bank Arena is proud of our commitment to diversity and especially our minority-owned and women-owned enterprise programs. The natural next step is cultivating and incorporating the incredible talents of students attending and graduating from HBCUs.”

The internship program opens applications on Jan. 6, closing on March 17. Selected students will secure paid internships across OVG’s corporate offices and venues. Interns begin in late May and last through early August.

The program will also provide campus takeovers with career development programming through resume workshops, mock interviews, speaker series, career fairs and more; networking events; internships and job placements and mentorship programs.

“Events like this are one of the motivating drivers for establishing the Fearless Club,” Delali Dzirasa, CEO of Fearless, said in a statement. “We want to leverage the space and our partnership with Oak View Group to provide students, entrepreneurs and creatives with an inclusive community of mentors, advisors and supporters, as part of the larger ecosystem in Baltimore.”