By Wyatt Miller
Aurianna Tuttle grew up in a low-income community without many resources at her disposal. She watched her mom struggle to provide for them, but give back to the community no matter how little they had for themselves, Tuttle said.
"If someone was in need, my mother was always there," she said. "Witnessing that planted a seed in me—I understood what it felt like to struggle but also to be seen and supported by mentors who believed in me. Now, it's my mission to be that mentor for the next generation, creating safe spaces and empowering kids and families just like someone once did for me."
That is what drove her to create ROC (Regardless of Color) Era, an organization whose mission is "to enrich, empower, and invest in at-risk youth and vulnerable communities through the arts, wellness, and mentorship," Tuttle said. Tuttle is the founder and executive director of ROC Era, committed to creating "safe spaces where young people — especially Black and brown girls and boys — can discover their voices, recognize their value, and truly feel seen and heard."
Last week, Tuttle was named the fourth Rams "pLAymaker" of 2025, presented with a $5,000 check made out to ROC Era for her work in the L.A. community. Recently, they helped victims of the Altadena and Palisades fires, and Tuttle worked closely with the impacted families.
At the event where she was surprised as a Rams "pLAymaker," Tuttle and ROC Era had partnered with Zillow to help a family that lost their home in the wildfires get a new one.
"We mobilized quickly, partnered with The Change Reaction, and became a lifeline for so many families in the Altadena-Pasadena area," Tuttle said. "Hearing their stories and knowing we were there for them during such a difficult time was life-changing. It reminded me how important it is to keep showing up for our community."
Tuttle said that being named a "pLAymaker" by the Rams is "an incredible honor" because it highlights the work that she does and the people and families she serves. Being recognized as for that is "humbling" and reaffirms her commitment, she said.
ROC Era provides educational, physical and artistic opportunities for kids in the L.A. area to engage with. That includes musical theatre productions, races, educational field trips and more.
"It's about inspiring them to know they matter and giving them the confidence and support they need to rise above the challenges they face," Tuttle said.
According to the ROC Era website, Tuttle has over 20 years of experience in both performing arts and child care. She has written and produced several projects while traveling the world as a performer for over a decade. The rest of her life's work has been dedicated to "empowering the lives of underserved children in vulnerable communities."
"To me, 'inspire change' means leading by example—doing good in a way that encourages others to take positive action," Tuttle said. "It's about rethinking how we serve our community, improving systems, breaking barriers, uplifting underserved communities, and filling in the gaps where they're most needed.
"You don't have to be a superhero or a celebrity to create change. All it takes is a mission, a lot of heart, and the commitment to connect with the people around you. Figure out what your neighborhood needs, step in to fill those gaps, and just start where you are."
