TUMO Opens in L.A. Offering Free After School Technology, Design Programs
LOS ANGELES—Los Angels City Councilmember Adrin Nazarian on Saturday welcomed an overflow crowd to the grand opening of TUMO Los Angeles, its first center in the United States offering free after school programs that lets teens drive their own learning process and prepare for the creative economy of the 21st Century.
Councilmember Nazarian, Representative Luz Rivas, Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez, and LAUSD Board President Scott Schmerelson joined TUMO’s founders and board members to introduce the larger community to TUMO’s revolutionary approach to design and technology.
“They’ve found that secret sauce that takes curious young minds and teaches them not only the language of technology, but how to manage their time, how to become leaders,” said Nazarian of the TUMO center.
Nazarian announced that the day before at the City Council meeting he recognized October as Armenian Heritage Month and honored TUMO Los Angeles.
Founded in Yerevan, Armenia in 2011, TUMO has grown to open branches in Portugal, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Argentina and Japan. During a groundbreaking ceremony in February, 2024 then Council President Paul Krekorian was joined by Mayor Karen Bass to welcome TUMO.
“What began as a dream to offer teens in Yerevan, Armenia free access to technology and a space to express themselves creatively is now a global movement engaging more than 35,000 students weekly,” said Sam Simonian, tech entrepreneur and founder of TUMO. “I am incredibly proud and grateful to announce that we are now here in Los Angeles, ready to change lives once again.”
As a member of the California Sate Assembly, Adrin Nazarian discovered TUMO on a trip to Armenia and resolved to bring the innovative design and technology program to Los Angeles. Nazarian secured over $23 million in funding from the State of California, in addition to support from the City of Los Angeles, for TUMO to acquire a vacant office building on Lankershim Boulevard in Studio City.
Following a brief program, the attendees were led on a tour of the multiple work rooms with banks of computers, a design studio, and a music studio, which are among the tools at the disposal of junior high and high school-age students who attend TUMO free of charge.
“I’ve opened TUMO centers all over the world and I’m blown away by the engagement of our students here in North Hollywood,” said Sawyer Hescock, Regional Director of TUMO Center for Creative
“These teens are Los Angeles. They come from every background, bringing their creativity and hard work every day. TUMO is honored to support these incredible, creative minds,” he added.
Hescock said that the center currently has 600 students enrolled, with 350 others placed on waiting lists. He explained that 40 percent of those enrolled were female. He also said that 80 percent of the enrolled students come from lower-income families.
TUMO Los Angeles already has plans to expand. It was announced that the first satellite TUMO hub will open at the Glendale Homenetmen Ararat Center next year.
“In a time when access to opportunity depends so much on privilege, TUMO asserts its commitment to equity and excellence,” said Councilmember Nazarian. “To every young person in Los Angeles, this space belongs to you.”
