Empowering the Next Generation at the Rose Bowl: A Summit for Tomorrow’s Leaders

There are stadiums, and then there’s the Rose Bowl. Steeped in history, nestled beneath the San Gabriel Mountains, and affectionately known as “America’s Stadium,” the Rose Bowl is more than just a football field or concert venue. It’s a stage for moments that matter. On April 30, that stage was once again put to powerful use during Empowering Tomorrow, Today: A Youth Leadership Summit, hosted by the Pasadena Tournament of Roses and the Rose Bowl Institute.

Designed to equip high school and college students with the tools they need to tackle real-world challenges, this summit was anything but ordinary. From workshops on financial literacy and emotional resilience to candid panel conversations with influential speakers, it was a day that bridged inspiration with practical education. This was education beyond the classroom, aimed at preparing tomorrow’s leaders with heart and purpose. And, true to LA Living style, it wasn’t just an event—it was a movement.

At the core of the event was Resource Row, where students engaged with local organizations offering mentorships, internships, and wellness services. It wasn’t about information; it was about access. The day’s programming created real pathways for growth and support.

The energy reached new heights with a powerhouse lineup of speakers who each brought their unique perspectives and hard-earned wisdom to the conversation. Darren Haynes, a thirteen-time Emmy-winning sports anchor with KCAL Los Angeles, encouraged students to embrace discipline and grit. Actress Azita Ghanizada, an Afghan-born political asylum seeker and star of Suits LA, shared her moving journey through Hollywood as a lesson in identity and resilience.

From the world of sports broadcasting came a star-studded panel of women reshaping the industry: ESPN’s Malika Andrews and Holly Rowe, CBS Sports’ Amanda Balionis, and FOX Sports’ Jenny Taft. They offered a masterclass in breaking barriers and finding strength in vulnerability.

These speakers were not talking at the students, they were talking to them. The conversations felt personal, urgent, and empowering. That spirit carried into the Rose Bowl Institute’s Women’s Empowerment Symposium, a signature program that has reached more than 20,000 young people across 33 states and seven countries. While the focus has traditionally been young women, the summit made space for all future leaders, regardless of gender.

The in-person luncheon at the Rose Bowl brought students face-to-face with iconic mentors like Valorie Kondos Field, the legendary UCLA gymnastics coach, and viral sensation Katelyn Ohashi. Their message? Mindset matters more than medals, and success looks different for everyone.

This event, much like Los Angeles itself, was about dreaming bigger, aiming higher, and lifting each other along the way. And where better to do that than at the Rose Bowl, a venue that has hosted Super Bowls, World Cups, and now, a generation of rising leaders.

As the summit wrapped, students walked away with more than just resources, they left with a renewed sense of purpose. In LA, we don’t just watch the future unfold. We shape it. And on this unforgettable day, the Rose Bowl did what it does best—made history again.

IG @kaseycahen