Pasadena, CA – MAY 5, 2025– The Rose Bowl Institute and the Pasadena Tournament of Roses® proudly celebrated the success of the Empowering Tomorrow, Today: Youth Leadership Summit, held on Wednesday, April 30 at the iconic Rose Bowl Stadium. The program brought together a dynamic and diverse group of over 500 attendees including students from 44 schools across the greater Los Angeles area, along with virtual participants who viewed the event live from around the globe—marking the first year the event expanded to a global audience. The event also featured the active participation of 24 community organizations, all dedicated to equipping the next generation with the tools, inspiration, and networks needed to lead with courage and purpose.
Funded by private gifts and corporate supporters in the community, the summit served as a vibrant forum for youth voices and leadership, centered on the themes of identity, resilience, and empowerment. Attendees were treated to a powerful keynote conversation with actress and activist Azita Ghanizada. The Suits: LA star shared personal stories of perseverance, identity, and advocacy.
“Today was about reminding these incredible young people that their dreams are valid and their voices matter,” said Ghanizada. “The resilience I witnessed here in Pasadena is a beautiful testament to the strength of this community—and proof that the next generation is ready to lead.”
The day’s benchmark highlight was a star-studded panel on leadership in sports media underneath the Stadium’s iconic marquee sign. Moderated by award-winning sports broadcaster from ESPN, Holly Rowe, the discussion featured leading voices in the industry including Malika Andrews (ESPN’s NBA Today and NBA Countdown), Amanda Balionis (CBS Sports), and Jenny Taft (FOX Sports). Together, they shared their career journeys, the challenges they’ve overcome, and the power of staying authentic in high-pressure industries.
During the panel, Malika Andrews, host of ESPN’s NBA Today and NBA Countdown, reflected on overcoming challenges in her career and choosing to focus on opportunity rather than obstacles. “I am the youngest woman and only woman to ever host the NBA Draft,” she said. “When you walk in over and over again as the first to do something, you can either choose to see that as, ‘Well, we were told we don’t belong,’ or you can choose to see it as, ‘They’re going to remember me because I’m a little different than everyone else who walked in before.’ I’ve always chosen to look at it that way. I’m here because I’m good. I’m here because I’m qualified.”
In addition to the keynote and panel, the summit featured Resource Row, a vibrant activation space where local nonprofits and community-based organizations, connected students with real-world opportunities in areas such as mental health support, educational advancement, professional mentorship, internships, and civic engagement. The curated resource fair ensured that the summit’s impact extended beyond the stadium, planting seeds for long-term personal and community growth. Stadium partner and Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation donor Wescom Financial led hundreds of students in an educational session focusing on financial literacy.
“Through powerful storytelling, shared experiences, and access to resources, this summit represents exactly what the Rose Bowl Institute and the Pasadena Tournament of Roses stand for—amplifying youth voices and fostering inclusive, courageous leadership,” said Dedan Brozino, President of the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation. “We are proud to see these young leaders stepping forward with purpose, vision, and unity.”
Tournament of Roses President, Mark Leavens, echoed the importance of the collaboration: “Partnering with the Rose Bowl Institute on this year’s summit represents a meaningful step forward in our shared vision—to uplift the next generation by creating inclusive spaces where their voices are heard, and their leadership is cultivated. Hosting this program at the Rose Bowl, a symbol of unity and excellence, adds even greater significance to what these students are building together.”
As the Los Angeles region continues to navigate the challenges of our time, events such as the Youth Leadership Summit reinforce a shared belief in the promise of tomorrow. The Rose Bowl Institute and the Pasadena Tournament of Roses remain steadfast in their mission to provide platforms where young people from every walk of life can thrive, lead, and transform their communities.
