For 17-year-old Aereon Robinson, music translates into entrepreneurship.
That’s the lesson he’s teaching young people through Future of Music, the youth-led nonprofit he founded to introduce students to DJing, music production and entrepreneurship.
Future of Music is dedicated to helping young people explore opportunities in music, technology and business. Robinson, who goes by the name “DJ Orea,” said the goal is to show them how creative interests can become business ventures and, eventually, careers.
“Music is the face of it, but entrepreneurship is what we want them to pursue,” Robinson said.
He chose to work with youth ages 10 to 18 for a reason.
“I felt like it was the perfect age to introduce kids to the DJ business,” Robinson said. “Because math is involved, 10 is the sweet spot. That’s when I started. The reason I capped it at 18 is because — with me being 17 — a lot of older kids might not accept knowledge from someone my age.”
Robinson led a session Monday for students participating in Beyond Housing’s Children’s Defense Fund Freedom School, a summer program designed to keep young people academically engaged.
Caleb Jones, 12, and Noah Stephenson, 11, said they enjoyed learning how to “produce music, do beats, learn to scratch” and record music on a computer.
Eleven-year-old Harmony Hughes, who wants to pursue a career in music, said Robinson helped make her feel like she can pursue her musical ambitions. Likewise, Maya Johnson, 12, said DJ Oreo showed them all how to do things they’ve “never done before.”
Robinson’s father, Leon Robinson, said he is proud of what his son has accomplished.
“Ah, man, he’s a one-of-a-kind kid,” Robinson said. “He makes me want to cry every day.”
Turning his passion into a nonprofit was entirely his son’s idea, he added.
“He reads all kinds of books and has all kinds of ideas, so that was all his doing.”
Although Robinson launched Future of Music last year, he has been building his own business since childhood.
His father produced music as a hobby, and his uncle, Tyrone Sloan, worked as a DJ. Robinson said his interest in DJing began when his uncle dropped off a bag of unused audio equipment at the family’s home.
“As a curious 10-year-old, I went through the bag and saw a bunch of cords and stuff and a little controller,” Robinson said. “So I plugged it into my computer and downloaded some music software, and it all started from there.”
That discovery eventually led to his first public performance. Robinson said his father paid an event organizer at a local children’s pop-up shop $25 to give his son an opportunity to DJ.
“It was a great experience,” Robinson recalled. “I met several clients who book me to this day. For me, it was a realization that this is easy and I could probably do it for the rest of my career.”
Robinson said he has since DJed hundreds of events, including nonprofit programs, parties, concerts and events at St. Louis City Hall. Performing under the name DJ Oreo, he now works events throughout the region.
Ariana Martineau, Robinson’s former history teacher at Principia, said she saw the same determination in the classroom that now drives his entrepreneurial efforts.
“History was not even close to one of his favorite subjects, … but he just tried and tried so hard to be good in my class,” Martineau said. “That’s a testament to who he is. He just doesn’t let any limits or boundaries affect him. If he wants to achieve something, he’s going to do it.”
As his business grew, Robinson said he became increasingly interested in the entrepreneurial lessons behind it.
“I did it really by networking and getting my name out there,” he said. “My dad urged me at every event to promote my Instagram and give out business cards.”
That experience helped shape Future of Music.
The organization is building toward a free 12-week program that will teach DJing, music production and entrepreneurship. Robinson said the nonprofit currently provides mentoring and smaller programs while expanding its reach.
“There weren’t that many youth entrepreneurs, especially in the music or DJ industry,” Robinson said. “I feel like St. Louis doesn’t have enough youth voices or youth advocacy. Being somebody who can advocate for better things means a lot to me.”
Robinson has recruited several young volunteers to help operate the nonprofit. Gabrial Walker, 18, serves as program coach. Qwentin Blassingame, 16, is managing director, and Jerimiah Jones, 16, serves as communications intern and assists with the DJ program.
The group has developed partnerships with organizations including Beyond Housing and The Opportunity Trust. Robinson said Future of Music will soon launch a free DJ program with a local Children’s Defense Fund Freedom School and is working with the St. Louis Office of Violence Prevention.
“I’ll talk about the struggles I’ve been through to start Future of Music and we’ll work to inspire them to think outside the box to go get what they want in life without letting others dictate what they should do,” he said.
One of Robinson’s earliest clients was Barbara Davis, program manager for the city of St. Louis Office of Financial Empowerment. Since he was 12, Davis has hired him to DJ youth events connected to the office’s College Kids program and other initiatives.
Davis said Robinson’s impact extends beyond music.
“He articulates very well when he speaks to our youth,” Davis said. “Aereon inspires them with his message of, ‘If I can do it, you can do it, too.’ He’s done amazing work with us.”
Robinson, a senior at Principia School, said he sees Future of Music as only the beginning.
“I have multiple passions for many things,” he said. “I know it sounds big, but since my name is Aereon, I see myself owning my own airline. I love aviation, but that’s not my real passion.
“So, I see myself in education in some way, shape or form. Since I see discrepancies in public education, I see myself as an education advocate, also.”
When asked whether he has taken on too much at such an early age, Robinson answered honestly.
“Kinda, but not really. I believe I have great balance. I plan my schedule for specific things, like school or weekend events,” he said.
“Sometimes I do miss things, but it’s no big deal because I feel like what I’m doing for my community is more important.”
Sylvester Brown Jr. is the Deaconess Foundation Community Advocacy Fellow.