On Tuesday, May 24 the Crenshaw Chamber of Commerce (CCC) held their general membership meeting at Mexicano in the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza. Many of the CCC members turned out for the meeting to hear Mayor Eric Garcetti speak about the transformation of South Los Angeles and the importance of supporting black businesses.
“We just celebrated the hallway mark on the Crenshaw Line that we broke ground on less than two years ago,” said Garcetti. “We wanted to make sure we didn’t lose business while putting down that investment and we gave jobs to people who live right here.
“Supervisor Mark Ridley Thomas and I fought that fight to make sure that now we have over 40 percent of employees are local on that line, over 80 percent come from disadvantaged communities, veterans, and people of color.”
Garcetti also spoke on how the Urban League’s Business Solution Center was created to help businesses affected by the rail construction receive help and information. He also spoke on job offers that will be open for youth this summer through local workforce centers. He reached out to the CCC to help get the word out. CCC president and CEO, Armen Ross spoke about last month meeting.
“This is a special meeting for our May general membership meeting,” said Ross. “We have a special meeting in which we’ve invited those businesses and individuals who are sponsoring our 83rd anniversary gala on June 2.
“We’ve asked them to come and personally meet with the Mayor, talk to him, hear his vision for the city, his vision for our business and economic development for the Crenshaw community… and to meet-and-greet with the mayor.”
The CCC is committed to the development of the Crenshaw Corridor as a center for Black business, commerce and culture to attract economic investment, tourism, and fosters community pride. The Chamber creates a mechanism to increase the economic development for new and small businesses by providing access to technical assistance, collective networking, support and training.
The CCC develops a value-added partnership with other city chambers, businesses, corporations and residents within the community. The Chamber keeps abreast of city, county, and state legislation and ordinances that affect the growth and business endeavors of the Crenshaw Corridor. Ross spoke about the CCC and the benefits of becoming a member.
“It’s exposure, it’s finding out directly from the movers, shakers and power brokers in our city just what’s going on and try to get an inside look,” said Ross. “It gives members the opportunity to ask question directly of their elected officials and whatever field that they’re interested in.”
For more information on the Crenshaw Chamber of Commerce, please visit their website at http://www.crenshawchamber.com/. You can also call at (323) 293-2900.
