Team Liquid and Boys & Girls Club: A Recap

Team Liquid recently teamed up with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles (BGCMLA) and unveiled an esports and gaming lab at Challengers Clubhouse in South Central Los Angeles. This contribution from the org is part of an ongoing mission to provide access to gaming opportunities for kids in underserved communities.

Challengers Clubhouse will serve as the pilot location, with plans for continued efforts throughout the region. Team Liquid and its partners have outfitted BCGMLA with a suite of hardware and internet upgrades, perfect for competitive gaming and wider STEM learning activities.

• 15 Alienware laptops


• 15 Secretlab chairs


• 15 HyperX headsets


• Teaching accessories


• Subsidized high-speed internet for three years

Passionate about giving the next generation of gamers a better future, this initiative will also include a 10-week esports course at the new gaming lab in collaboration with NxtUp Esports. Team Liquid will also provide ongoing mentorship and experiential learning opportunities for Challenger students.

The partnership is one of many growing efforts from Team Liquid towards raising representation as well as expanding STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education in and around the esports and gaming communities.

Team Liquid’s DEIBAJ Task Force, which stands for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging, Accessibility and Justice, will help counsel and oversee the implementation and growth of this partnership.

Why STEM?

At Team Liquid, we understand that STEM education is critical to ensuring today’s youth are future-ready. With new emerging technology enhancing our day-to-day gameplay experience, it’s important that we equip the next generation of esports professionals with the knowledge necessary to continue the growth of this industry.

From hackathons to mentorships, STEM education is an invaluable asset that gives youth the opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute to building a better future for all to enjoy.

Why BGCMLA?

While Team Liquid is an international organization, it maintains a heavy presence in the Los Angeles area with its training facility located in Santa Monica. Additionally, some of Team Liquid’s premier talent and staff previously benefited from BGC facilities and programming.

Super Smash Bros. Melee player Juan “Hungrybox” Debiedma recalls learning how to play the popular fighting game title at a local center during his youth. WNBA player and Team Liquid streamer Aerial Powers also attended a Boys & Girls Club when she was younger and spent many hours on the hardwood of her neighborhood location.

After the unveiling of the new gaming center, the kids got to try out the new Team Liquid-branded chairs and hardware, as well as interact with Hungrybox and Powers. As a bonus, the kids were also able to get an up-close view of the League Championship Series (LCS) trophy won by Team Liquid’s League of Legends team.

It’s not just Hungrybox and Aerial who want to make dreams a reality for the children–many members of Team Liquid have helped support this initiative, collectively voicing their thoughts on how much of a positive impact this partnership has for both the org and the kids at BGC.

Team Liquid hopes that, with initiatives like this, kids will be able to enjoy the fun of gaming with their friends while also learning real-life skills in communication and teamwork. This gaming lab is just the beginning as they continue to inspire the next generation of esports enthusiasts and build a better future for children everywhere.