Craig School of Business
Pay It Forward Luncheon Series
An interdisciplinary opportunity to connect with fellow students, faculty and our community.
Hosted by the Lyles Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the Pay It Forward Luncheon Series brings together Fresno State students and community business leaders. Each session is led by different business professionals to highlight a new, informative topic. These events explore in-depth issues and allow for impactful networking between Fresno State students and successful business professionals.
Pay It Forward luncheons are free and open to the public. Registration is required and space is limited.
Next Pay It Forward Luncheon
March 10, 2026
Larry Gittens, Kool & the Gang
Tuesday, March 10, 2026, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Resnick Student Union
Grammy Award-winning musician Larry Gittens is a skilled, self-taught (on trumpet and keyboard) musician whose career spans jazz, R&B, and pop. He has made significant contributions as a session and band member (notably with Kool & the Gang and Stevie Wonder), and has his own solo work, which highlights his dual instrumentation and compositional voice.
Larry is a great illustration of creative entrepreneurship: self-driven growth, versatility, and ability to create his own opportunities. He shows how entrepreneurs thrive by investing in their skills, adapting to change, and forming strategic partnerships. His path demonstrates that entrepreneurship is ultimately about shaping your own direction, staying flexible, and seizing new possibilities throughout your career.
Upcoming Pay It Forward Luncheon dates
- April 28, 2026
Past Events
Missed an event?
Catch all the highlights, inspiring talks and memorable moments from our past events
on our YouTube channel.
Watch the full playlist here