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Chamber Hosts the Future of L.A.'s Redistricting Process
The Government and Fiscal Affairs Council hosted a special council session on "The Future of L.A. City’s Redistricting Process." The council featured L.A. Councilwoman Nithya Raman, Kathay Feng from Common Cause, and Raphael Sonenshein and Gary Segura from the L.A. Governance Reform Project. Chamber membership was briefed on the current redistricting process, state legislation, city motions and current efforts to bring forth the best independent, transparent, and viable options for the City of L.A. The Chamber will continue these discussions and support historic redistricting reform in the City, as it did in 2008 for the state of California with Proposition 11. The session can be viewed here. Passcode: 1@mN*meP |
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Former Mayor Eric Garcetti Confirmed as Ambassador to India
The U.S. Senate confirmed Eric Garcetti as the new U.S. Ambassador to India, filling a seat which has been vacant for 26 months. The former Mayor of Los Angeles will represent U.S. interests in New Delhi, the capital city of the world's largest democracy and a key strategic ally. The Chamber congratulated Mayor Garcetti and looks forward to continued collaboration with the ambassador in his new role in India. |
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Women in Leadership Event
The Chamber hosted its first Women in Leadership event of 2023, featuring keynote speaker Pamela Bakewell, COO and EVP of the Bakewell Company and Los Angeles Sentinel. Bakewell shared her insights on how the "power of the pivot" gave her the resilience and flexibility to work on diverse projects and become a community and business leader. She emphasized the importance of faith and family in her success and overcoming adversity. |
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Edelman Trust Barometer
The Chamber and Edelman co-hosted an engaging discussion on the annual Edelman Trust Barometer report, which assesses the trust and credibility of various societal institutions. The 2023 survey highlights the growing trust in business as a force for good in our community. The discussion, hosted by Jonathan Jordan, General Manager of Edelman Southern California, and Jenny Kantor, Executive Vice President and Group Head of Corporate Reputation at Edelman's Southern California branch, focused on how business leaders can leverage their organizations to foster a better future and create A Thriving Region For All. Watch the video here. |
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| POLICY & ADVOCACY |
President Biden Releases Proposed Budget
President Joe Biden unveiled his proposed federal budget, which will face rigorous scrutiny through congressional committees in the upcoming months. The proposed budget aims to balance economic development through nationwide investments in infrastructure, reduce costs for families, and strengthen social safety nets. This month, our ACCESS D.C. delegation will travel to the capitol advocating for the needs of Los Angeles in the budget. |
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Courts Uphold Prop. 22
A California appeals court ruled Monday that drivers for Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, and other platforms can be classified as independent contractors and not employees. The court's decision upheld the Prop. 22 initiative, which exempted rideshare companies from a state law to classify an estimated 300,000 to 400,000 Californians who provide rides or deliveries as employees. Despite this development, the Service Employees International Union said it would "consider all options," including seeking a review from the state Supreme Court. The court's decision is considered a victory for Uber and Lyft and validates private companies' efforts to leverage the ballot box to oppose state laws. |
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| GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT |
St. Patrick's Day Celebration at Irish Consul General Residence
Kenneth Wengrod joined Catherine Martin T.D., Ireland's Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, and Marcella Smyth, Consul General of Ireland, for an early St. Patrick's Day celebration this week at the residence of the Irish Consul General. |
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Chamber Hosts Belgium Trade Officials
The Chamber hosted a delegation this week from the Flanders Investment & Trade Office, which included members of Unizo International, the largest entrepreneurial network in Flanders and Brussels, Belgium, representing more than 100,000 members. The discussions focused on the challenges of importing high-end design, furniture, and fashion items from Belgium to the United States. |
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Networking Reception with the Belgian Business Delegation
The Chamber recently attended a networking reception with the Belgian business delegation, "Design, Furniture & Fashion," at the residence of Gunther Sleeuwagen, Ambassador and Consul General of Belgium in Los Angeles. Also present were Tom Vermeulen, Economic Counselor and Flanders Investment & Trade Representative, and Christine Peterson, Director of International Trade & Investment for the Office of Mayor Karen Bass. |
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| COMMUNITY COLLABORATION |
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SoCalGas Champions Clean Energy Through Diversity, Innovation, and Collaboration
SoCalGas’ Supplier Diversity Program endeavors every year to establish and meet purchasing goals by leveraging small and diverse firms. Supplier diversity spend is regularly tracked and reported. In 2022 alone, SoCalGas spent more than $1 billion with diverse business enterprises. Read the full 2022 report here. Supplier diversity goals, like those related to renewable natural gas procurement and operational excellence, are an enterprise priority. |
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Verizon Digital Business Ready Grants - Applications Open Now
The next round of $10,000 Verizon Small Business Digital Ready grants are open, apply today. Register here to apply for grant funding and complete any combination of two courses, coaching events, and community events by May 12. Applications close at 11:59 p.m. PST on May 12. All applicants will be notified of their grant status by the week of May 18. |
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Mayor's Fund for Los Angeles Announces New Leadership
The Mayor's Fund for Los Angeles appointed Conway Collis as its new President & CEO this week and named a new Board led by David White. Mayor Karen Bass will serve as an advisor to the Board. The Board includes Stephanie Graves, CEO of Lee Andrews Group, and George Pla, founder and CEO of the Cordoba Corporation, both of whom are Chamber Board members. Collis is an anti-poverty leader who previously served as the President & CEO for GRACE and End Child Poverty CA. Learn more here. |
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Charter Communications, Raza Development Fund Announce $3.2 Million For Latino-Owned Small Businesses
Attorney General Rob Bonta joined Charter Communications' Spectrum and Raza Development Fund (RDF) announcement of a $3.2 million capital commitment from Charter’s Spectrum Community Investment Loan Fund to provide loans to Latino-owned local businesses in financially underserved areas of California, Texas, Ohio, and Florida. RDF, the largest Latino-focused Community Development Financial Institution, intends to use at least $1 million of this investment to provide loans to small businesses within Charter’s California service area. Small business owners looking to learn more here. |
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| CHAMBER BUSINESS NEWS |
USC Opens Washington, D.C. Campus
The University of Southern California opened its new Capital Campus in Washington, D.C. this week. The 60,000-square-foot campus, located at 1771 N St. NW, will serve as the new home for the Washington, D.C.-based USC Office of Research Advancement, which has been assisting faculty researchers to secure funding for research projects since 2006. |
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| WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH |
Michelle Ruiz, Managing Partner, BiasSync
We're celebrating Women's History Month to highlight the impactful contributions of women in our communities. We recognize Michele Ruiz, Women's Policy Council Chair and CEO and Co-founder of BiasSync, a science-based solution for organizations to manage unconscious bias. |
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New Member
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Member Anniversaries
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| COUNCIL MEETINGS & EVENTS |
U.S. Economic Census and Business Builder
Wednesday, March 22, 10:00 a.m.
COMMUNITY EVENT
The Census Bureau will join the Chamber for Small Business Strong on March 22 to introduce the 2022 Economic Census and other business surveys conducted by the bureau. Our 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 businesses can use to support business growth.
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Transportation Chair Shares Vision
Monday, April 3, 11:00 a.m.
MEMBER ONLY EVENT
Join the Transportation and Goods Movement Council for their upcoming meeting. Heather Hutt, L.A. City Councilmember and Transportation Committee Chair, will discuss plans to advance transportation in Los Angeles. Hutt, has been a public servant for over 30 years, and represents the communities of the 10th district.
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ACCESS Sacramento 2023
April 18 - 19, 2023
Join us in Sacramento to hear from state policymakers about issues impacting our region and economy. The L.A. Area Chamber aims to promote policies to strengthen industry, drive job creation, and promote regional economic prosperity for all. ACCESS Sacramento provides a platform for the Chamber and its members to advocate for state-level policy issues. Through a series of keynote sessions and panel discussions, members can connect with elected officials, share their stories and business knowledge, and shape policy.
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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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