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L.A. stories of inspiration and success

L.A. stories of inspiration and success


Solomon Cannon with his National Dislocated Worker Group (NDWG) restoration crew at the Monrovia Canyon Park in October 2022
Solomon Cannon joined the National Dislocated Worker Group (NDWG) restoration crew at the Monrovia Canyon Park in October 2022. He was eager to gain work experience, but he was struggling with homelessness, a significant barrier as he struggled to find a job.

Solomon knew he needed a way to earn an income so he could stop

EWDD General Manager Carolyn Hull (front row, center) participated in a panel discussion on how the City of LA can assist the recovery of local businesses at a Black In The Valley business mixer on February 28, 2023
While a winter storm fell outside, a crowd filled the Mardi Gras Tuesday restaurant in Sherman Oaks last Thursday for a Black Business Mixer hosted by Los Angeles City Council Districts 4, 2, and 12.

CD4 organized the event in honor of Black History Month in partnership with

Olga Gomez, owner of Daisy’s Beauty Salon in South Los Angeles
The Pico-Union/Westlake Business Source Center (BSC) recently helped Olga Gomez, owner of Daisy’s Beauty Salon, successfully obtain a City of Los Angeles Microenterprise Recovery Grant to help sustain her business.

Olga holds both a cosmetology and barber license. After graduating from

Atsushi Nakagawa, founder of Amazake Co, a Japanese health food business
Meet Atsushi Nakagawa, former aspiring rockstar and founder of Amazake Co. Atsushi moved to the United States after obtaining his degree in electrical engineering from the University of Tokyo. While working in the

Be Bright Coffee Shop's new Storefront at 7311 Melrose Avenue
With assistance from the Hollywood BusinessSource Center (BSC), Frank La grew his business Be Bright Coffee from a booth at the famed Smorgasburg LA outdoor food market to a brick and mortar café in the heart of Los Angeles.

The Hollywood BSC is operated by the Pacific Asian Consortium in Employment (PACE), which was able to give

EWDD General Manager Carolyn Hull speaking about the expertise and resources needed for the new Port of Los Angeles Workforce Initiative in a video segment for the annual “State of the Port” address by Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Saroka
"Perfect" Example of Expertise and Resources

At the annual “State of the Port” address, Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Saroka said that EWDD is a perfect example of the expertise and resources needed for the new Port of Los Angeles Workforce Initiative.

“This year, in partnership with employers, unions, nonprofits and agencies like

Kyung Kim, owner of Gahbin USA Inc, BusinessSource testimonial: As a minority business owner, there are many limitations to not knowing the various programs that the government has to help with business. It's good to know where to contact when you need help running your business in the future.
In 2015, Kyung T. Kim established Gahbin Usa Inc, a company that sells auto parts online. The company has been operating for eight years in South LA and has five employees. In 2020, Gahbin experienced financial losses due to the pandemic, which jeopardized the company’s operations and employee salaries.

During COVID-19’s stay-at-home orders, Gahbin’s sales fell by more than

(left to right) South Valley BSC Program Manager Luis Luna and Mirsa Garza, the owner of J&M Discount Store
The South Valley Business Source Center (BSC) assisted a North Hollywood Swap Meet business in keeping their doors open with the Microenterprise Grant.

South Valley BSC Program Manager Luis Luna met with Mirsa Garza, a single mother of three and the owner of J&M Discount Store in