The Better Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce (GLAAACC) held their thirty first Annual Financial Awards Dinner on the JW Marriot LA Dwell, a premier enterprise networking occasion within the larger Los Angeles space.
The celebrated and chic awards gala is a platform to honor and acknowledge people and firms that champion financial development whereas advocating for the development of small companies and entrepreneurs throughout Los Angeles.
This yr’s celebration additionally stood as a second of unity and help for enterprise and people affected by the January wildfire within the Pacific Palisades and Altadena communities.
Because the neighborhood continues rebuilding efforts, GLAAACC Chairman Gene Hale introduced a brand new partnership with the Affiliation of Normal Contractors, outlining plans to create pathways for the underserved, native, and various subcontractors to take part in wildfire restoration efforts. This collaboration may even open doorways to infrastructure initiatives and upcoming world sports activities occasions, stimulating the town’s financial base and producing well-paying jobs.
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Moreover, Amazon introduced GLAAACC with a $150,000 donation to help small companies impacted by the current wildfires. The venture entitled the GLAAACC Phoenix Fund, was created to offer grants to the Eaton and Pacific Palisades small enterprise neighborhood.
“The partnership with the Affiliation of Normal Contractors is among the many strategic collaborations GLAAACC has led lately,” stated Hale.
“For over three many years, GLAAACC has been on the forefront of constructing partnerships that drive significant progress within the African American enterprise neighborhood. I’m honored to spend a night recognizing the position our companions and company allies have performed in fostering Black management and entrepreneurship.”
All through the night, greater than 20 awards had been introduced throughout a variety of classes, together with Banking and Monetary Company of the 12 months, Transportation Minority Enterprise Advocate, Public Works Contractor of the 12 months, Buying Govt of the 12 months, Industrial Development Firm of the 12 months, Utility Firm of the 12 months.
The night’s keynote speaker was Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, chairperson of the Board of Supervisors and representing the fifth District which spans 2,785 sq. miles, together with 20 cities and 83 unincorporated communities. Barger emphasised her dedication to supporting small companies and main wildfire restoration efforts.
“Whether or not it’s 100 days out, 300 days out, or 600 days, I’m going to deal with the restoration effort with the identical urgency I promised simply days after the fireplace,” stated Barger. “Many small companies are beginning over. I applaud Gene Hale and GLAAACC for his or her management. The one method we transfer ahead is collectively.”
Governor Gavin Newsom expressed his congratulations to GLAAACC’s honorees by way of video message.
“Due to enterprise homeowners such as you, California is the world’s fourth-largest financial system. We’re not simply maintaining tempo with the world—we’re setting the tempo,” stated Newsom. “Our financial system is prospering, and we rejoice your success.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass joined the celebration with a recorded greeting. She counseled GLAAACC for its continued efforts to uplift small minority-owned companies and shared updates on her administration’s initiatives to help communities impacted by the wildfires.
Key efforts embrace record-setting response instances for constructing permits, hazardous materials clearance, particles removing, and utility restoration.
GLAAACC’s Member of the 12 months award went to Celeste Alleyne, Director of Govt Engagements and Exterior Expertise for Microsoft’s world company occasions. Alleyne mirrored on the chamber’s affect on her private {and professional} journey, thanking GLAAACC for his or her steering when she moved to Los Angeles 28 years in the past.
“I discovered the that means of true mentorship—one that pulls its power not from books, however from the center,” she stated.
Fredy Salguero, Vice President and Southern California Exterior Affairs Supervisor at Comerica, accepted the Banking and Monetary Company of the 12 months Award on behalf of the company.
“Comerica is devoted to constructing robust communities, forging significant partnerships, and being greater than only a financial institution—we try to be a trusted neighborhood accomplice,” stated Salguero.
A number one world building and growth agency, Skanska was honored as Public Works Contractor of the 12 months. Notably, the corporate piloted electrical compaction rollers on the Metro D Line (Purple Line) and examined an electrical Volvo excavator on different native initiatives.
American Honda was acknowledged as GLAAACC’s Company of the 12 months. Assistant Vice President of Gross sales Technique Daryl Bazemore accepted the award, which highlighted the company’s dedication to working with minority-owned companies and galvanizing the following era of leaders via modern community-focused initiatives.
Further acknowledgments went to firms together with Hensel Phelps, Clark Development, Turner Development, ACCO, Rosendin, PCL, Critchfield Mechanical, Southern California Edison (SCE), SoCal Fuel, and Barnard Development for his or her efforts in offering employment and subcontracting alternatives for African Individuals on main public works initiatives.
Chairman Hale closed the night with a strong message of unity and resilience.
“Collectively, we’re stronger. And collectively, we are going to proceed to construct a Los Angeles the place African American companies can thrive, succeed, and attain their biggest potential,” he stated.
For extra details about GLAAACC and its applications and initiatives, please go to glaaacc.org.
