Disney and ABC7 help connect students with future careers at StudentsBuild National Summit

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (KABC) -- More than 5,000 students from Southern California gathered in Inglewood Wednesday for the StudentsBuild National Summit.

The annual event celebrates student leadership and empowerment in the community.

Eyewitness News reporter Anabel Munoz emceed the summit at YouTube Theater.

The event is designed to equip middle and high schoolers from underrepresented communities with the tools and mentorship needed to thrive in education, career and life.

"Over the years, we've had 80,000 students participate in the StudentsBuild program," LA Promise Fund president and CEO Veronica Melvin said.

"They have impacted nearly 200,000 other community members to make their lives better."

The event featured a career fair, student talks, and a special performance by Adrian Lyles, who stars in "High School Musical: The Musical: The Series."

ABC7's parent company, Disney, also hosted a Disney Entertainment & Technology Career Panel at Wednesday's gathering.

Strategic operations VP Sonia Doshi, Marvel post production director Morningstar Schott, and Disney production technical director Nickie Huai shared their career journeys and how technology drives creativity across the company.