250 Years Strong: The Promise of America Is Ours to Keep

by Maria S. Salinas

Two hundred and fifty years ago, a group of people made a bold bet on a powerful idea. That freedom, opportunity, and self-determination were worth fighting for. That bet is still being made today, by every business owner who opens their doors, every worker who shows up, every student who dares to imagine something bigger for themselves.

Here in Los Angeles, we see that bet renewed every single day.

Our great nation was built on two pillars: freedom and bravery. For the businesses and entrepreneurs we represent across greater Los Angeles, those words mean so much. The freedom to innovate, to own, to build. And the bravery to take a risk, to start over after a setback, to believe that what you are building matters. That is the American Dream, and it is alive in our region. Greater Los Angeles remains one of the most dynamic economic regions in the world, and our job is to make sure that opportunity is accessible to every business, every worker, and every community that calls this place home.

When I think about the American Dream, I think about Dora Herrera, a longtime Chamber member since 2018, whose mother, a Mexican immigrant, started the delicious Yuca’s Restaurants. I think about our new Board member, Kameale C. Terry, a South Central Los Angeles native who started ChargerHelp from the ground up. And I think about our member Dominic Ng, who came to Los Angeles from Hong Kong and built East West Bank into the largest Chinese American bank in the nation.

That is what 250 years looks like in Los Angeles.

Freedom is not something we inherit and set aside. Each generation has to choose it, defend it, and expand it. That means continuing to fight for equality as the daily work of building a city and a country that works for everyone.

The story of America at 250 is still being written, and Los Angeles has always been one of its most ambitious chapters. It means showing up, participating in our democracy, and staying engaged. Your voice is your power. Use it, just like I'm using mine. Reflecting on a milestone and the members who have been part of every moment: a Birthday Letter to America. This is ours.

For 137 years, the Chamber has been a steadfast voice for this region, championing small businesses, workforce development, and economic growth. That legacy is what grounds this moment and what drives what comes next.  That is why I am relaunching my blog, The Business Voice, as a space to be the voice of this region, to empower businesses, to convene civic and business leaders, and to uplift the communities that make Los Angeles one of the greatest cities in the world.

While the promise of America has not yet reached everyone it was meant to reach, we must stay the course. Our work continues, and we show up every day to do it alongside our members and the broader business community.

This Fourth of July, celebrate with gratitude and with intention. Honor how far we have come. Hold space for how far we still need to go.

From all of us at the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, have a safe and meaningful Independence Day.