A new tech center for teens opens in northwest Charlotte

WFAE | By Elvis Menayese 
The first Best Buy Teen Tech Center in North Carolina is up and running. The opening ceremony was held on Tuesday, in northwest Charlotte. The facility has an array of equipment, including computers, a recording studio and 3D printers, to help bridge the digital divide in the community.

A large crowd gathered inside the McCrorey Family YMCA on Beatties Ford Road for the center’s launch. The space is about 1,600 square feet, with drawing tablets for animations and a green screen photography space right outside a recording studio.

Tucked away from the crowd in the recording booth with large speakers by his side was 18-year-old Jerome Tompkins. He was being coached on how to produce music beats — something he’s been doing for a few years.

“I think this is going to help a lot because there’s a lot of professional equipment. So, it’s really going to improve my quality.” Tompkins said.

Tompkins, who lives about nine minutes from the center in the Sugar Creek area, says being here brings out another side of him.

“It’s really connecting me with more people,” Tompkins said. “Getting me more social because, you know, I’m like kind of anti-social, so it’s really helping me with that. I think anybody who wants to make music, and explore creativity, should definitely come here.”

 

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Literally the coolest thing
I’ve ever seen!!!!

-YMCA Facilities Director

Wow!
Looks fantastic. Thank you.
– YMCA Project Manager

The Best Buy team loves the design. 
Absolutely stunning!
– Best Buy Associate Manager