Our Story
Our History
Founder and CEO Andre Rodriguez, born and raised in Pilsen, was once a so-called “troubled youth.” A former gang member, he learned some of life’s lessons the hard way, including spending 10 years in federal prison before his sentence was commuted. Upon release, Dre decided that given this second chance, he would dedicate his life to engaging placed-at-risk youth in mentorship, programming, work opportunities, and recreational activities so they would discover new interests, passions, and talents. Dre soon realized that the digital media arts were a powerful tool to empower youth to express themselves, examine their identities, tell their stories to a larger audience, process trauma and heal. In 2022, Dre joined forces with other community leaders to make Luv City a 501(c)3 non profit and address the cycle of violence head on through youth engagement in the digital arts.
We are dedicated to partnering with innovators in digital media production to engage placed-at-risk youth in learning, experience and mentorship for careers on and off camera, creating content that lifts the underrepresented and marginalized voices of our communities.
Our Vision
Our Mission
We empower placed-at-risk youth to reshape their narratives and become the authors of their future through work-based learning, training and apprenticeships in filmmaking, multimedia production, and the performing arts.
