Building Beats

Help Brooklyn’s Young Creatives Build Their Future

Who We Are

Founded in Brooklyn in 2013, Building Beats equips underserved youth in New York City with technical, leadership, and entrepreneurial skills to bridge the gap between creative passion and professional access. Since our founding, we have reached 12,600+ young people, delivered 16,500+ workshop hours, and worked with 250+ partners. Your gift helps address unequal access to Brooklyn’s creative economy by providing the tools, mentorship, and paid experience young people need to build sustainable careers and shape the borough’s future.

What Your Gift Powers

• bbWorkshops: Hands-on DJing, music production, podcasting, and music coding led by working artists in schools, libraries, and community spaces—with 230+ residencies and masterclasses delivered in Brooklyn.

• bbLeaders: Free creative career preparation for ages 16–24, combining technical training, mentorship, portfolio development, and college and career guidance. We serve 150+ young people per year and have launched a year-long fellowship to deepen this support.

• DJ Agency: Paid bookings that help young creatives earn income and build professional DJ experience. Since FY23, we have booked 75+ gigs and paid $60,000+ in earnings to our youth.

• Donuts Are Forever: Our annual J Dilla celebration and fundraiser brings DJs, artists, and community together to support Building Beats.

• bbForTeachers: Practical training and resources that help educators bring music production, DJing, podcasting, and music coding into classrooms and community programs.

• Building Brooklyn’s Creative Future: Launching our Brooklyn Creative Career Coalition to unite education, arts, workforce, and employer partners around visible, equitable, and connected creative career pathways. Shared resources, stronger referrals, and a planned fall 2027 Creative Career Summit will connect youth to training, internships, and paid work.

Give Today. Help Us Reach $10,000.

Double Your Gift. As a 2027 Brooklyn ORG Spark Prize finalist, Building Beats is eligible for a dollar-for-dollar match through Brooklyn Gives. Brooklyn ORG will match up to $10,000 total donated from October 8–December 31, 2026—turning $10,000 in community gifts into $20,000 for our work.

Help Open Creative Career Pathways. Your support connects Brooklyn’s young creatives with the skills, relationships, and paid opportunities to turn passion into sustainable careers.