Neighbors & Friends, a minority- and women-owned café, opened on Nov. 1 in Old Town Pasadena with support from the Local Initiatives Support Corporation of Los Angeles (LISC LA) and its Asset Building for Communities of Color (ABC) program. Co-founded by Kaiy Smith-Biesman and Hannah Said, this innovative space serves as a community-centered spot, bringing a fresh concept to the area and offering locally sourced products from BIPOC and women artisans. Thanks to LISC LA’s ABC program, funded by Wells Fargo, Neighbors & Friends received $250,000 in zero-interest growth capital to bring this vision to life.
“The $250,000 ABC Growth Capital funding truly changed everything,” said Smith-Biesman. “Without it, we wouldn’t be opening our store. It’s allowed us to expand, hire, and properly train our team.”
Neighbors & Friends is more than a café; it’s a statement of economic empowerment and the creative ideas diverse communities bring to the business market. The space features the Los Angeles area’s first build-your-own cheese box bar, a carefully curated selection of artisanal beverages, and a retail section filled with local BIPOC-sourced goods, from floral arrangements by Opal Flower House to home items from Rose and Daisy. This initiative aims to uplift small, diverse businesses while creating a welcoming space for all.
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The LISC LA ABC program, designed to empower minority entrepreneurs and address economic inequities, was instrumental in helping Neighbors & Friends overcome the common obstacles facing minority-owned businesses. Programs like this are particularly impactful for minority women entrepreneurs, who historically lack access to investment capital, generational wealth, and institutional support.
“The funding gave us more than just financial support—it gave us a sense of legitimacy,” Smith-Biesman added.
“People look at us and realize we’re serious about this, that we’re here to grow and give back to our community. This support has been pivotal to our growth and to showing us what’s possible.”
According to U.S. Census data, there were 1,477 minority-owned employer firms compared to 3,169 nonminority-owned employer firms. This disparity reflects challenges minority entrepreneurs face in accessing the resources and support necessary to start and sustain businesses at rates comparable to nonminority-owned firms. The ABC program is vital for helping to bridge that gap.
Since its launch, the ABC program has focused on providing flexible capital to small business owners in communities of color across Los Angeles County, aiming to fuel business growth, prevent displacement, and create generational wealth. Smith-Biesman and Said’s story reflects the program’s goals, as they found not only financial backing but also a supportive network.
“It wasn’t just the money. The support, resources, and community connections we’ve gained through ABC have been invaluable,” said Smith-Biesman.
“After years of hearing ‘no’ from banks, this program gave us not only the funding but also a community that believes in us.”
The economic impact of LISC LA’s ABC program goes beyond individual businesses. By supporting women like Smith-Biesman and Said, it empowers entrepreneurs to build community-focused spaces that sustain local economies and reflect the diversity of Los Angeles.
This aligns with the broader mission of the ABC program: to create lasting, equitable economic opportunities that build wealth within communities of color. As Neighbors & Friends opens its doors, it represents what strategic investment and targeted support can achieve.
To learn more about LISC LA’s ABC program and its initiatives for business equity, visit liscla-abc.org. Neighbors & Friends is located at 88 E. Union Street in Pasadena and open Tuesday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., or visit weareneighborsandfriends.com for more information.
