MESSAGE FROM LEADERSHIP
LOOKING BACK ON 2023, I reflect on the profound impact of LISC LA’s initiatives and the partnerships that have enabled our progress. This past year, we celebrated significant milestones across our programs, each aimed at empowering and uplifting communities throughout Los Angeles.
One of our highlights was the opening of Carla's Fresh Market in northeast LA's Highland Park, a venture made possible through our Asset Building for Communities of Color (ABC) program. We provided Ariell Ilunga, the market's founder, with 0% interest capital and one-on-one advising. This enabled her to establish her first brick-and-mortar location serving the local community to spotlight local food makers and BIPOC-owned brands.
In our quest to transform justice-involved communities, the Incubation Academy, in partnership with LA County's Justice, Care, and Opportunities Department, celebrated its fourth cohort graduation. This program has grown to include 88 community-based organizations, empowering them to secure contracts and enhance their capacity to provide housing, mental health, employment, and other critical services to those reentering communities after incarceration.
The California Housing Development Training Institute (HDTI) also marked its 35th anniversary, continuing to develop the next generation of leaders in affordable housing. Gabriela Vega’s journey with HDTI exemplifies the program's transformative effect, as she uses her enhanced skills to address the housing needs in Los Angeles.
The Ascend LA program saw 40 diverse entrepreneurs graduate with the skills, knowledge, and mindset to take their businesses to the next level. This initiative continues to break barriers for minority- and women-owned businesses, ensuring they have a competitive edge in securing corporate and government contracts.
These stories represent just a portion of our work. As we move forward, we remain dedicated to tackling the pressing issues of affordable housing, economic equity, and community safety.
I am grateful for your continued support and partnership as we strive to build a more equitable and prosperous Los Angeles. Together, we are making a significant difference in the lives of many, driving change that will resonate for generations to come.
Sincerely,
Nicole Williams LISC LA Executive Director
OUR IMPACT STORIES
ASSET BUILDING FOR COMMUNITIES OF COLOR (ABC) PROGRAM
How Flexible Capital Helped Launch a Market with a Mission
On November 8, 2023, Ariell Ilunga opened Carla's Fresh Market in northeast LA’s Highland Park, offering locally sourced food and products from BIPOC food creators. Faced with funding challenges common for small business owners, Ariell found crucial support through LISC LA’s Asset Building for Communities of Color (ABC) program. Supported by Wells Fargo, ABC provided 0% interest capital and one-on-one technical assistance, enabling Ariell to make significant improvements and purchase inventory for her 3,000 square-foot market.
The ABC program is creating pathways for small business owners operating in communities of color across Los Angeles County to grow, scale, create jobs, and fuel wealth creation. Through Carla's Fresh Market, Ariell's mission is to provide exposure to BIPOC-owned brands, making a hub for community engagement and support for local farmers, artisans, and food makers. This market not only serves the Highland Park community but stands as an example of successful, community-focused entrepreneurship.
INCUBATION ACADEMY
Transforming Justice-Involved Communities
LISC LA is dedicated to creating safer, healthier communities through its collaboration with LA County's Justice, Care, and Opportunities Department. In 2021, we launched the Incubation Academy, which today has become a cornerstone for organizations dedicated to supporting people re-entering communities after incarceration. The 15-week capacity building program equips organizations with essential skills in non-profit management and public funding access to enhance their impact. Many of these entities are led by individuals with lived experience in the justice system and have a keen understanding of the challenges faced by individuals after re-entry.
In 2023, 25 local organizations graduated from the program with improved access to crucial funding and public contracting opportunities, five of which have won contracts worth $1.8 million collectively. The Academy demonstrates the power of community-focused solutions in transforming lives and promoting justice reform.
HOUSING DEVELOPMENT TRAINING INSTITUTE (HDTI)
Celebrating 35 Years of Training Affordable Housing Leaders
As California LISC's Housing Development Training Institute (HDTI) celebrates its 35th year, it continues to shape leaders like Gabriela Vega, a first-generation Latina from Boyle Heights. Gabriela is the Community Development Manager at Decro Corporation, where she leverages her role to address the critical shortage of affordable housing. During the year-long HDTI program, Gabriel was one of 46 students to graduate with leadership skills and a deeper understanding of the housing development process. Inspired by her own early displacement, she is dedicated to making an impact in affordable housing.
Gabriela's story exemplifies the success of HDTI, which since 1988, has trained 550 individuals from more than 100 community development organizations to tackle California’s housing crisis. Supported by Merritt Community Capital Corporation, the program brings together affordable housing experts and emerging leaders, offering hands-on experience in managing affordable housing projects from inception to operation.
SMALL BUSINESS
Empowering Minority Entrepreneurs to Win Contracts
Led by LISC LA and directed by Loyola Marymount’s College of Business, Ascend LA is transforming the landscape for minority-owned small businesses. The 12-session management education training program is taught by the College’s leading faculty members and is complemented by industry professionals and mentors. Last year, 40 stand-out businesses in construction and professional services graduated from the program with the skills and knowledge to secure corporate and government contracts. Monique Jackson, founder of consulting firm L&F Project Management, is one example of the program's impact.
As part of the 2023 Ascend LA class, Monique built a solid business foundation, gained a support system of mentors, and a network of professionals in the same field. Since then, she’s won several lucrative contracts, including a $1.2 million contract with Los Angeles World Airport. Over the last three years, Ascend LA graduates have collectively secured over $53 million in contract wins.
Ascend LA was a game-changer for me. It provided the resources and connections I needed to take my business to the next level.”
Monique Jackson Ascend LA 2023 graduate
2023 BY THE NUMBERS
invested
leveraged
affordable housing & nonprofit investment
affordable homes
small business investments
sq. ft of commercial space
OUR FUNDERS
2023 Private Sector Support
American Business Bank
American First National Bank
Annenberg Foundation
AT&T
Bank of America
Banner Bank
BMO
California Bank & Trust
California Community Foundation
Capital One
City National Bank
Comerica Charitable Foundation
Roy & Patricia Disney Family Foundation
Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco
First Citizens Bank
Joseph M. Horiye
HSBC Bank
JPMorgan Chase
Merritt Community Capital Corporation
Mitsui Manufacturers Bank
Pacific Premier Bank
The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation
State Bank of India (California)
Sterling Bank & Trust
T-Mobile
U.S. Bank Foundation
Valley National Bank
Wells Fargo
Western Alliance Bank
Thank you to all the partners who make this work possible.”
2023 Public Sector Support
Corporation for National and Community Service
County of Los Angeles
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
U.S. Small Business Administration
OUR TEAM
LISC LA Staff
Nicole Williams Executive Director
Krista Phipps Deputy Director
Alexandra Dawson Director of Lending + Investments
Jabbar Wesley Senior Program Officer
LaKisha Collman Grants Manager
Clara Suh Community Development Underwriter
Emy Farrow-German Program Officer, Housing
Sabin Kim Program Officer
Diana Reyes Program Officer
Savannah Walker Program Officer
Christian Fonseca Program Assistant
Joe Horiye Western Region Program Vice President
Local Advisory Committee
Antonio Manning, Chair President and CEO Affordable Living for the Aging
Ari Beliak CEO Merritt Community Capital Corporation
Diana Cardenas Vice President & Relationship Manager U.S. Bank
Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker Founding President Ward Economic Development Corporation
Steve Herman Senior Vice President and Community Reinvestment Manager California Bank & Trust
Randal Hernandez Executive Director, External Affairs, Southern California Verizon
Christopher Hubbard Program Officer, Homelessness Initiative Hilton Foundation
Kelvin James Senior Vice President and CRA Compliance Officer SMBC MANUBANK
Ray Mendoza Vice President Community Reinvestment City National Bank
Daniel Rodriguez Sr. Relationship Manager, Community Development Banking Bank of America
Adey Tesfaye Senior Vice President – Head of CRA City National Bank
Elizabeth Trombley Senior Director Community Health Kaiser Permanente