The fifth annual Upgrade LA: Meet the Decision Makers African American History Month Business Breakfast was held at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel on Thursday, February 27, 2020. Meet the Decision Makers celebrated two dynamic, high profile officials – Hon. James T. Butts, Jr., the Mayor of Inglewood and Commissioner Cynthia McClain-Hill, the Vice President of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Commission.
Meet the Decision Makers strives to connect small and minority business owners with real contracting opportunities in the public and private sectors. Upgrade LA was thrilled to announce that Skanska USA has spent over $275 Million dollars with minority and disadvantaged business owners over the past six years in the LA region.
With over 120 small business owners, faith leaders and community leaders in attendance, Meet the Decision Makers honored Commissioner McClain-Hill for her leadership and tenacity at DWP and Mayor Butts for his incredible economic accomplishments for the City of Inglewood. KJLH radio personality, Dominique DiPrima served as mistress of ceremony.
Commissioner McClain-Hill said she would strive to increase opportunities for small, women, and minority business owners at DWP. Mayor Butts emphasized that he was “grateful to be in a position to create job opportunities for other people like him in the great City of Inglewood.”
Also present was Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, Metropolitan Water District Chairwoman Gloria Gray, and Los Angeles Department of Transportation Assistant General Manager, Monique Earl.
Meet the Decision Makers: Leaders on the Move was sponsored by the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT), Turner AECOM Hunt, Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), Skanska, Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, Los Angeles Rams, Kiewit, Metro, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, Water Replenishment District of Southern California, and West Basin Municipal Water District. An exclusive raffle of an autographed mini helmet was sponsored by the Los Angeles Rams.
Meet the Decision Makers was established as a public forum in 2014 to connect elected officials and major public sector decision-makers with small business owners, faith leaders and engaged citizens. In the past, Meet the Decision Makers has heard from decision makers such as City Attorney Mike Feuer, City Councilman Gil Cedillo, Supervisor Hilda Solis, Metro CEO Phillip Washington, and LAWA CEO Deborah Flint.
For more information, please contact Nicole Clark Reed at (310) 418-3640 or [email protected].
