Hollywood Leaders, Rising talent, and The Handy Foundation Spotlight Real Pathways into Entertainment Careers During National Apprenticeship Week
During National Apprenticeship Week, Ri-Karlo Handy and The Handy Foundation convened industry leaders, emerging talent, and community partners across Los Angeles for a series of events spotlighting pathways into film and television careers through apprenticeship and workforce development initiatives.
A highlight of the week was an industry screening of Michael at AMC Universal CityWalk 19, hosted in partnership with the California Film Commission. D. L. Hughley made a surprise appearance in support of Apprenticeship Week and the organization’s mission. Riccarda Lacey, producer at Access Hollywood, welcomed guests as special industry host, while Jasmine Sanders, co-host of The D.L. Hughley Show, moderated the evening’s post-screening panel discussion featuring Ri-Karlo Handy, Founder and CEO of The Handy Foundation, Colleen Bell, Director, California Film Commission, and apprentice Chelsye Abrams, who worked on the film. The conversation centered on workforce readiness, access, and opportunity in entertainment.
Throughout the week, The Handy Foundation also hosted a high school engagement and set visit, alumni wellness programming, and additional workforce initiatives designed to support career sustainability and production readiness.
The week concluded with Next Frame: Apprenticeship Week Honoree Party at Los Angeles Center Studios, the newly reimagined annual fundraising and impact event honoring leaders advancing workforce development across entertainment.
Honorees included RJ Olson (MRC) and Jenise Caiola (ITV), recognized with Employer Champion of the Year honors; Atlas Digital’s Shawn Sanbar, Dan Warner, and Kathy Blake, honored as Partner Champions of the Year; Allison Frenzel of the California Department of Education, recognized as Public Sector Champion of the Year; and Alice Nezu of Hollywood High School, honored as Education Partner of the Year.
“This isn’t just about opening doors—it’s about making sure people are ready when those doors open,” said Handy, who in addition to leading The Handy Foundation, remains active in production as executive producer and showrunner of Harlem Globetrotters: Secrets of the City, recently greenlit for a second season. “The focus now has to be on preparing people to step onto set and contribute on day one.”
As studios and producers look to stabilize production workflows, initiatives like The Handy Foundation’s signal a broader shift toward workforce infrastructure as a key component of the industry’s next phase—one increasingly tied to apprenticeship as a scalable solution. Nationally, more than 2,700 events were held as part of the 2026 observance, underscoring the growing role of apprenticeship in building a skilled workforce.
Members of the Handy Foundation team gather on the red carpet for the Next Frame Honoree Party, celebrating a shared mission of creating access, opportunity, and lasting impact across the entertainment industry.
Applications are currently open for The Handy Foundation’s upcoming training and apprenticeship programs, with a focus on preparing talent for immediate placement on film and television productions and supporting long-term career pathways.
For more information on programs and upcoming opportunities, visit HandyFoundation.com.
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Tosha Whitten, FrontPage Firm PR
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