Mayor James T. Butts Welcomes Mayor Emma Sharif to the City of Champions: Inglewood Sets the Blueprint, Compton is Next — Featuring a Special Live Show at the Great WePlay Studios

Maksim Bilonogov, Executive Producer & Chief Visionary Officer at WePlay Studios (Webby Award Winner, Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, and Emmy-nominated Executive Producer/Director of iconic content), Mayor James T. Butts, Jr., Dr. Gloria Zuurveen, Founder & CEO of PACE NEWS, INC. and Parent Action Coalition for Education (PACE), and Sharis Marie Rhodes, Public Relations Specialist at WePlay Studios, gather at the 2025 GLORY AWARDS in Inglewood.

Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts, Jr.

INGLEWOOD, CA — In a landmark moment for Los Angeles County, Mayor James T. Butts will welcome Mayor Emma Sharif of Compton to the great WePlay Studios to officially kick off her re-election campaign. With 88 cities across the county, Inglewood and Compton stand as cultural and economic mirrors—both rich with history, talent, and resilience, and both serving as incubators for educational, employment, and economic opportunity. Mayor Butts, whose leadership transformed Inglewood into a global destination city, will extend his support to Mayor Sharif as she positions Compton to take its place on the national stage. “Inglewood is the blueprint,” Mayor Butts affirms. “We’ve shown the nation what’s possible when you invest in your people, your businesses, and your culture. Now it’s Compton’s time to step forward—and Mayor Sharif is the leader to make that happen.”

Compton Mayor Emma Sharif (5th from right), along with a host of Black mayors from across the country, visited Los Angeles in 2024 at the invitation of Mayor Karen Bass and Supervisor Hilda Solis. During the visit, Mayor Sharif introduced members of the African American Mayors Association to the Hilda L. Solis Care First Village in Los Angeles, CA.
Photo by Gloria Zuurveen

Event Highlights

• $50 Entry – Every Entry Counts: Contributions will go directly toward supporting Mayor Sharif’s campaign, with donations welcomed up to $10,000.
• Special Live Show Headliner: Buddy — Compton’s own Grammy-nominated contributor discovered by Pharrell Williams — has become one of Los Angeles’ most dynamic artists. Known for collaborations with Kendrick Lamar, Nipsey Hussle, Snoop Dogg, A$AP Rocky, and Anderson .Paak, Buddy has built a reputation for blending hip hop, soul, and storytelling into a sound that’s uniquely his. His acclaimed albums Harlan & Alondra and Superghetto positioned him as both a chronicler of Compton and a global cultural voice. He will headline this historic campaign kickoff with a special live performance.
• Host DJ: FAUCET — The incomparable FAUCET will curate the sound and energy of the Born and raised in Compton, she’s more than a DJ—she’s a cultural architect, weaving sound, style, and spirit into unforgettable experiences. Known for her genre-bending sets and trailblazing Girls Gone Wild parties that honor women in music, FAUCET moves not just crowds but culture itself.
• The Venue: WePlay Studios — Located in the heart of Inglewood, WePlay Studios is a world-class creative space and cultural hub with the capacity to host over 1,500 people. Known for its cutting-edge sound, production, and live show capabilities, WePlay has become the go-to venue for entertainment, community, and innovation in the City of Champions.

Mayor Sharif’s keynote will address where Compton has been, where it stands today, and where it is headed next under her leadership. From creating pathways for small businesses to compete in procurement, to ensuring Compton becomes a global destination while preserving its culture, this campaign launch represents both progress and possibility. Join us for an unforgettable evening at the great WePlay Studios, where civic leadership meets culture, music, and a special live show from Compton’s own Grammy-nominated Buddy.