Motown Legend Berry Gordy Drops a Cool $5 Million on UCLA’s Music Biz Game

Berry Gordy is looking to school the next generation of music makers with a big donation to UCLA. The Motown founder has pledged $5 million to launch The Berry Gordy Music Industry Center at the prestigious Herb Alpert School of Music.

Set to debut in the 2024-25 academic year, the new center will supercharge UCLA’s burgeoning music business program. ““I’m thrilled to create a center that provides opportunities for students at UCLA to prepare for careers in the music industry,” said Gordy. “Music is powerful, inspiring, universal, crossing over political, cultural, social and economic barriers. It reaches ALL people and has been the guiding force in my life. These students will be the future innovators, artists, and executives that will lead us through the twenty-first century.”

The gift comes at a pivotal time for the Herb Alpert School. Having launched its music industry focus in 2023, the massive cash injection will allow the program to reach new heights. Dean Eileen Strempel called it “the leading force in shaping the twenty-first century music industry.”

So what exactly will Gordy’s millions buy? Plenty of dope opportunities for eager music lovers, that’s what. The center will bankroll new courses in songwriting, production and beyond. Partnerships with local schools will get kids hyped on music careers early.

“Berry Gordy is an American treasure. What he created at Motown was truly remarkable, as he combined creative and business acumen in a way that it had never been done before,” assured Michael Ostin. Legendary singer and songwriter Smokey Robinson echoed the sentiments “I’ve always known Berry as generous and gracious. At the start of my career, I benefitted from Berry’s mentorship. He was always a teacher at heart. What I love about this center is that it is guided by his philosophy that truly great music comes from nurturing young talent and getting them to think holistically about their art, and their careers.”