Long Beach City College Honors Jenni Rivera with New Arts Center

Long Beach City College (LBCC) has officially named its new performing arts center after renowned singer and alumna Jenni Rivera. The decision was made last week when the LBCC Board of Trustees unanimously voted to designate the facility as the Jenni Rivera Performing Arts Center. This honor aims to recognize Rivera’s significant impact as an artist and her deep connection to the Long Beach community.

Uduak-Joe Ntuk, president of LBCC’s Board of Trustees, expressed the significance of this tribute: “This naming recognizes not just an extraordinary performer, but a daughter of Long Beach whose voice and spirit transcended borders,” he stated. He added that Rivera inspired millions through her music and advocacy, emphasizing pride in the legacy that future generations of artists will inherit in a space bearing her name.

As part of the memorialization, Jenni Rivera Enterprises will contribute $2 million over the next decade to the LBCC Foundation. The funds will primarily support scholarships and educational programs, according to the Long Beach Post. “Our family is deeply honored that Long Beach City College has chosen to memorialize Jenni in this extraordinary way,” said Jacqie Rivera, the singer’s daughter and CEO of Jenni Rivera Enterprises. She highlighted the importance of the center for young performers, stating that it allows them to grow and find their creative voice in a space dedicated to her mother’s legacy.

Scheduled to open in spring 2026, the performing arts center marks the second major honor bestowed upon Rivera by LBCC. Earlier this year, she was inducted into the LBCC Hall of Fame, joining notable figures such as actor and activist Jennifer Kumiyama and attorney Norm Rasmussen.

Born and raised in Long Beach, Rivera attended Long Beach Poly High School in the 1980s. She faced challenges during her youth, becoming a mother while still in school, yet she graduated from Reid Continuation High School as class valedictorian. Rivera later pursued higher education at LBCC before transferring to California State University, Long Beach, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

Following her graduation, she began her career as a real estate agent while also working at her father’s recording studio and record label, Cintas Acuario. Founded by her father, Pedro Rivera, in the 1980s, the label began as a swap-meet booth and evolved into a significant platform that supported many rising artists.

The release of Rivera’s debut album, “Somos Rivera,” in 1992 marked the beginning of a prolific career. Tragically, her journey was cut short when she died in a plane crash in Mexico on December 9, 2012, along with six others. Known as the “Diva de la Banda,” Rivera became a self-made star and a trailblazer in the male-dominated realm of música mexicana.

In recognition of her legacy, Long Beach city officials named a park in her honor in 2015. The Jenni Rivera Memorial Park features a 125-foot mural commemorating her life and contributions to the community. Additionally, the Hollywood Walk of Fame awarded Rivera a star in 2024, which was accepted by her five children during a ceremony.

“One of my mom’s favorite exes used to work in this vicinity. We would come and check in on him, and she always dreamt— I remember sitting in the car, in her Mercedes, and she always dreamt, ‘I’m gonna have my star here one day,’” Jenicka Lopez, Rivera’s daughter, shared during the unveiling.

The naming of the Jenni Rivera Performing Arts Center stands as a testament to her enduring legacy and commitment to inspiring future generations of artists.