LOUISVILLE, Ky. — There’s a totally free program in Louisville’s West End that aims to help teens learn how to start their own business. 

12-year-old Caleigh Thomas is in her element right now. For her, there’s pure joy in scratching the turntables and mixing beats.

“The most important thing to me is making people happy, I guess you could say, and doing something I love.” said Caleigh Thomas, an Urban Arts Institute student.

She was talking about being a Disk Jockey, or DJ. She’s actually done it for the last four years, since she was 8 years old.

Caleigh’s played with DJ equipment like this her whole life. But it was actually her father that inspired her to want to be a DJ. He’s a D-J too—and she spent time with him in the studio when she was younger. She loves the music side of things.

“Also, I like the science and engineering of it also it brings new techniques and a new learning experience also,” she said.

For her, that learning is fostered at the institute. She’s one of 19 students in the St. George’s Scholar Institute’s Urban Arts Institute.

It’s an entrepreneurship incubator inside the California Community Center, in Louisville’s West End. Thomas is in the disc-jockey group.

“I’ve learned how to scratch, I’ve learned how to mix. Of course, I’m learning how to press play,” Thomas said. "I’ve learned how to set up my equipment, and I’ve learned some things about engineering.”

Created in 2019, middle and high schoolers get hands-on training in one of a handful of areas.

Besides learning the real ins and outs of being a disk-jockey, students can also learn clothing and apparel printing and graphic design.

Students can also learn photography, videography, and audio engineering. They learn how to start and maintain a business via hands on training with industry-standard equipment. It’s a 24-week program, and it’s all free.

Walter Murrah says they use the arts as a launching pad for entrepreneurship.

“The goal is to not only expose them to the cool things around the different creative areas, but to also teach them things such as financial literacy,” Murrah said. “We’re looking to teach them how to build legacy wealth—something that can be passed down to their kids.”

13-year-old Alexis Williams said she wants to make money from graphic design and clothing printing. Some of her favorites include making clothes with photos of famous Black Americans, artists and inspirational quotes.

“It just inspires people and makes people’s day better,” Williams said.

She was learning how to create designs and print them onto clothing. Alexis said her godmother inspired her to learn. Her godmother used to print things on cups and wallets as both a hobby and a way to make money.

Williams has learned how to deal with unexpected print or design challenges that come along with it.

“To keep on trying, push yourself more, and never give up.” Williams said.

Caleigh echoed that advice to anyone who wants to DJ.

“Just never give up and keep trying, even when it gets hard.” Thomas added.

What these students learn now could lead to big success in their future. Caleigh told Spectrum News there are plans for her to go on tour with the artist “That Girl LayLay”.

If you’d like to learn more about the Urban Arts Institute, call (502) 791-5856 or email UrbanArtsLouisville@outlook.com. To register your child for the Urban Arts Program, click here.