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California Community Colleges Names New Chancellor
Dr. Sonya Christian has been named the new Chancellor of the California Community Colleges, the largest system of higher education in the U.S., with more than 1.8 million students. She is the first woman and first Asian-American to hold the position. The college system serves a diverse population, with more than 70% of students identifying as Latinx, Black, Asian American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and 54% as female. Dr. Christian has previously served as the President of Bakersfield College and Chancellor of the Kern Community College District. |
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Pancakes & Politics: Women in Council
The Chamber's "Pancakes & Politics" speaker series continued today with Los Angeles City Councilwomen Traci Park and Katy Yaroslavsky. The panel conversation focused on women in council and their vision for the upcoming year. The councilwomen addressed concerns related to the environment, housing, and zoning in their respective West Los Angeles council districts, as well as city-wide issues they are working on with Mayor Karen Bass. They also discussed ways to streamline city government and how the business community can be a force for good in our communities. |
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L.A. City Expands Alternatives to Policing
The L.A. City Budget Committee approved $1 million to establish the Office of Unarmed Response and Safety. The City is working to expand existing unarmed crisis response teams, including CIRCLE, and is a step towards establishing a coordinating office. Unarmed responses typically address issues such as mental health and homelessness, allowing the LAPD to concentrate on emergencies and violent crime. |
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L.A. County Board of Supervisors - Governance Reform Motion
On February 28, the L.A. County Board of Supervisors will discuss a motion by Supervisors Holly J. Mitchell and Lindsey P. Horvath to study the board's governance model for potential reforms. Item #13, "Improving Los Angeles County Board Governance to Strengthen Equity and Transparency," aims to improve equity, transparency and inclusivity. The current board process allows supervisors to add items to a supplemental agenda on Friday without being seen by other members, leaving limited time for study before voting on Tuesday. The motion can be read here. |
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| POLICY & ADVOCACY |
LAUSD Convenes Business Advisory Council
The Chamber participated in the February meeting for the LAUSD's Business Advisory Council. The council discussed the status of Safe Passage, which provides safe routes for students to travel, legislation supported by the district, including mandatory kindergarten, priority schools, and how to stay engaged with the school district. |
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Health Care Workplace Minimum Wage
Senator Maria Elena Durazo introduced SB 525, which would raise the minimum wage for certain health care workers to $25 per hour. The bill primarily affects low-wage workers in nursing and non-patient-facing roles, such as housekeepers, security guards, food staff, and laundry providers. The Chamber is closely following this and advocates for a more comprehensive approach to sustainable health care economics. |
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| GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT |
Commerce Secretary Meets Advisory Committee on Supply Chain Competitiveness
Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo held a virtual meeting with the Advisory Committee on Supply Chain Competitiveness to welcome newly appointed members and provide progress updates regarding Committee recommendations. The Committee will collaborate with interagency and focus workstreams on the CHIPS Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, workforce development, critical minerals and batteries, and biopharmaceutical manufacturing. |
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Chamber Hosts Discussion on Opportunities in the Global Streaming, Entertainment Industry
On February 23, the Chamber's Diplomatic & Commercial Officers Group hosted a panel discussion on international co-production, filming, distribution, financing for international productions, intellectual property and content. Speakers included executives from DragonTree Media and Technologies, StoryWarrior Media Capital, A&E Studios, MTV Entertainment and Paramount Brands who shared domestic and international experiences and views from leading entertainment companies. |
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World Trade Week Industry Awards and Scholarships
The L.A. Area Chamber and World Trade Week Committee are accepting nominations for several international trade industry awards to be presented live at the Southern California Kickoff Conference on May 2. The Chamber is also offering scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $1,500 to encourage outstanding students to pursue post-secondary studies in international trade and business. Learn more here. |
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| COMMUNITY COLLABORATION |
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LAEDC Economic Forecast & Small Business Recovery
The LAEDC held its annual Economic Forecast, providing insights into projections for the national, state, and local economy, with potential global implications. A panel discussion, moderated by Justine Gonzalez, VP of Social Impact and Sustainability at Wells Fargo, focused on small business recovery and the ongoing process of rebuilding and revitalizing businesses amidst financial setbacks. The panel featured Andrea Nunn, SVP of Entrepreneurship & Innovation at the Chamber, Leila Lee from the City of Los Angeles, Kelly LoBianco from Los Angeles County, and Bo Sivanunsakul from PACE. The panelists discussed collaboration and coordination of resources and support for micro-enterprises, small businesses, and entrepreneurs, with a focus on equity and inclusion. The 2023 Economic Forecast is available to read here. |
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Salesian Family Annual Gala
Last week, the Salesian Family Youth Center held its annual gala in Long Beach. Chamber President & CEO Maria S. Salinas was proud to join Executive Director Jc Montenegro, Ph.D., at the fundraising event to promote the center's mission to provide robust programs such as Youth Ministry, SHOUT Program, We Care Program, Camp Salesian and more. |
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Workers’ Compensation for Employers
This week, the Chamber partnered with the California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) and the Division of Workers' Compensation on a Workers' Compensation for Employers workshop. The training, conducted by Information & Assistance (I&A) Unit Supervisors Linda Guillen, Marife Solano, and Tristan Juan, shared an overview of employers' responsibilities to provide workers' compensation insurance benefits for employees who suffer work-related illnesses or injuries that keep them from working. Watch the video:
In English
In Spanish
View the slides |
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| CHAMBER BUSINESS NEWS |
Justice and Commerce Departments Announce Disruptive Technology Strike Force
The Department of Justice and the Department of Commerce are launching the Disruptive Technology Strike Force. The strike force will bring together experts from various government agencies, including the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, and 14 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in 12 metropolitan regions across the country. It aims to target illicit actors, strengthen supply chains, and protect critical technological assets from being acquired or used by nation-state adversaries. |
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| MEMBER SPOTLIGHT |
Dr. Thomas A. Parham
We're celebrating Black History Month and the exceptional contributions and achievements of the Black community. This week, we recognize Dr. Thomas A. Parham, 11th president of California State University, Dominguez Hills, a highly diverse, and metropolitan university. We are proud to work with our region's universities to create the workforce of the future. |
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New Member
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Member Anniversaries
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| COUNCIL MEETINGS & EVENTS |
Member Orientation
Thursday, March 16, 9:00 a.m.
MEMBER ONLY EVENT
Discover how your Chamber membership can work for you! Join us for your member orientation and learn how to maximize your investment in the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce. The member orientation is open to new and existing members of the Chamber.
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Small Business Strong: US Census Bureau
Wednesday, March 22, 10:00 a.m.
COMMUNITY EVENT
The Census Bureau will join the Chamber to introduce the 2022 Economic Census and other business surveys conducted by the Census Bureau. Speakers Nidaal Jubran, Supervisory Survey Statistician Data User and Trade Outreach Branch, and Kari Klinedinst, Supervisory Survey Statistician Respondent Outreach and Promotion Branch, will highlight Census data tools which support business growth, and a demonstration on Census Business Builder.
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ACCESS D.C. 2023
March 28 - 30, 2023
Join the Los Angeles delegation for ACCESS D.C. — the region's largest business advocacy trip to our nation’s capital. The program connects business and civic leaders with federal lawmakers and administration officials on issues of importance to the greater Los Angeles region.
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| VIEW FULL CALENDAR |
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Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce
350 S. Bixel Street
Los Angeles, CA 90017 |
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