Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, a global entertainment company, has partnered with Long Island University-Brooklyn to establish the Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment in what they call a historic collaboration.
LIU-Brooklyn will begin enrolling students in the newly created school in fall 2021, offering undergraduate degrees in music; music technology, entrepreneurship and production; and sports management.
“Pursuing higher education is an investment in one’s future,” said Desiree Perez, CEO of Roc Nation. “This partnership, envisioned alongside [LIU President Kimberly] Cline, is a true investment in our community and young people in Brooklyn, in New York City and beyond.
“We’re excited that the Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment will provide unique insight, knowledge, and experiences for students and introduce the world to the next generation of unmatched talent,” Perez said.
Located in Jay-Z’s native Brooklyn, the Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment will provide Roc Nation Hope Scholarships for 25 percent of enrolled students.
Roc Nation says the scholars, who will be selected from a pool of competitive, New York-based first-time freshmen with the highest need, will graduate from the school debt-free, and will receive individualized support.
“Our proximity in and around New York City’s epicenter of music and sports clearly positions us to offer unparalleled experiential learning and access to professional opportunities that will launch students to success,” Cline said. “We look forward to joining with Roc Nation to offer an unprecedented educational resource that opens up the entertainment and sports world to a new and eager generation.”
In addition to the college program, the school will offer camps for aspiring students.
Roc Nation says young talent will be developed through summer residential camps for high school students and year-round Saturday programs for ages 10-18 in music and sports management, starting in the spring of 2021.
Adding that need-based scholarships will also be available for the camps.
“After many years of working with LIU, I know how important music and sports are to both Dr. Cline and the LIU Board of Trustees, so I was thrilled to be able to partner with them for the first-ever Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment,” said Brett Yormark, president, Business Operations & Strategy of Roc Nation. “Expansion beyond our inaugural school will certainly be considered in collaboration with Dr. Cline.”
Founded in 2008, Roc Nation boasts clients such as Rihanna, J. Cole, Buju Banton and Snoh Aalegra. The company supports a diverse roster with artist management as well as music publishing, touring, production and strategic brand development.
In 2013, Roc Nation branched out to professional sports, managing athletes such as Todd Gurley, Kyrie Irving, Skylar Diggins-Smith, Robinson Cano and Kevin De Bruyne.
“We are proud to offer students the extraordinary scholarship and learning opportunities they need to achieve their goals through this creative collaboration,” said Eric Krasnoff, LIU board chair. “It embodies Long Island University’s renown as a destination for world-class education, exceptional career development, and empowering cultural initiatives.”