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The Open Air Economy Collaborative joined LA Central Library to host a successful resource fair dedicated to supporting Black and Brown Women street vendors. This event offered a wealth of business resources, workshops, and networking opportunities to help these micro-entrepreneurs who often navigate the challenges of the informal economy alone. 

The day kicked off with a powerful screening of “Hollywood Vendor Film,” a documentary that…

This is the second post in Inclusive Action’s “Doing Capital Differently” series, offering stories, lessons, and tips to financial services and CDFI practitioners from our experience of providing capital to underserved communities. Subscribe to the series!

At IAC, we advance economic justice policy by building the power of our clients, community partners, and historically excluded communities to break open opportunities in this economy, while also building the foundation for a new economy where all communities can thrive. The work to make a more inclusive economy happens in multiple spaces – in the community, in the legislature, and importantly, at the ballot box. 

That’s why we created an Inclusive Action Voter Guide this year, available in both English and Spanish! Our goal is to educate the public and increase their confidence by providing voter recommendations on state propositions and local ballot measures. We hope to empower and encourage folks to vote for policies that uplift economic justice and take into account the communities we work alongside.

by Associate, Community Research and Innovation Chih-Wei Hsu and Fellow Keyara Sims Join us as we set out to better understand the state of informal recycling in Los Angeles County over the next year! This overview captures what we have learned from existing studies and organizing efforts in other parts of the country. Next up…

For Mychael Darwin and his wife Yasmeen Muqtasid, hanging out with superstars is no big deal. He proudly shows a denim jacket he designed for Prince, embroidered with the famous sign. “It’s not even work for me,” he said. Mychael and Yasmeen own Omnific Studios, a clothing design studio that specializes in leather apparel, accessories,…

by Senior Director, Policy & Legal Strategy Doug Smith It’s a new day for L.A.’s street vendors. The City has repealed its discriminatory no-vending zones and inked a settlement that will begin to repair some of the harms that vendors have endured by canceling citations and issuing refunds. What comes next is a different kind…

The first post in Inclusive Action’s “Doing Capital Differently” series, offering stories, lessons, and tips to financial services and CDFI practitioners, from our experience of providing capital to underserved communities. Subscribe to the series!  by Director, Lending Andrea Avila, and Associate, Technical Assistance Luis Moran Edwin’s Story: Loan Readiness to Business Growth Having recently migrated…

Like so many of us, Manori Sumanasinghe was scrolling through Instagram when she came across a post about Inclusive Action for the City and the numerous loan products. Little did she know that this post would change her life.  Manori, who moved to the U.S. from Sri Lanka in 2007, is an architectural designer who…

By Josephine Gardner, Senior Associate of Technical Assistance What sparked Benjamin’s interest in the coffee industry?  Boketto Cold Brews LLC, a black-owned business in Los Angeles, is fueled by passion, curiosity, family, and fatherhood. Growing up, Benjamin Westley was no stranger to the small business world. His grandparents owned a concession stand at a baseball…

“I am the owner and can oust you anytime I want.” That’s what Juana Dominguez said her landlord told her. Juana Dominguez is the proud owner of Paloma Market, a small business in South LA that offers fruits, vegetables, baked goods, cleaning products, and gifts.  Like many immigrants, Juana came to the United States from…