CivitasLA

Reports suggest that approximately 10% of all American businesses are Black-owned. However, this community of businesses witnessed the sharpest decline due to the COVID 19 pandemic, with 41% of businesses closing, according to April 2020 census data. Since then, Black-owned businesses have rebounded, with 2021 showing the strongest creation of small businesses in the past two decades.

As CivitasLA celebrates Black Business Month, a time to acknowledge the contribution of black business owners and entrepreneurs, and the contribution of black-owned business to our economy, we are joined by

Tunua Thrash-Ntuk, the inaugural President & CEO for The Center by Lendistry, as we discuss the state of Black business in our region and their work providing the critical tools and resources to impact small businesses in underserved communities.

Ms. Thrash-Ntuk is a seasoned community and economic development practitioner with more than 15-years of experience in both non-profit and private sectors. Her strengths range from community advocacy, to asset, and real estate development around neighborhood revitalization. To learn more, please visit: https://thecenterbylendistry.org/about-us/

To learn more about CivitasLA, we invite you to visit www.CivitasLA.com. And we hope you'll rate and review our show; and connect with us on Facebook (@CivitasLA), Instagram (@Civitas_LA) and Twitter (@Civitas_LA).

In an article entitled "Women are underrepresented in CRE – Here's how we change it" the author notes "while 64% of all residential realtors are women, in CRE (commercial real estate), that number is roughly 36.7%. Zippia.com, which tracks real estate developer demographics, the numbers further show that amongst developers, women represent 33% versus 67% for men. And, that Black or African American developers represent roughly 9% of all developers. And these numbers are significantly lower for Southern California.

Navigating the competitive world of commercial real estate development, Ayahlushim Getachew, Principal of the T.A. Group and Kacy Keys, Founder of Praxis Development Group join CivitasLA to share their respective journeys as real estate and economic development professionals before launching their development firms, offering their perspectives as women and how their experiences have shaped how they approach projects and engage in the work of building communities in which they operate. To learn more, please visit www.praxisdevgroup.com.

And, to learn more about CivitasLA, we invite you to visit www.CivitasLA.com. And we hope you'll rate and review our show; and connect with us on Facebook (@CivitasLA), Instagram (@Civitas_LA) and Twitter (@Civitas_LA).

Building bridges between Los Angeles and the world, the International Visitors Council of Los Angeles (IVCLA) plays a crucial role in creating international connections; cultivating local innovation; and activating global potential. For more than 40 years, IVCLA has facilitated countless leadership exchanges and cross border programs in close coordination with the U.S. State Department, helping to advance U.S. global objectives. Many of the international visitors that have participated in IVCLA programs have become leaders in and of their respective governments.

CivitasLA is thrilled to have Janet Elliott, President & CEO, International Visitors Council of Los Angeles, return to the podcast and to be joined by two international guests currently participating in the International Visitor Leadership Program's "Summit for Democracy IVLP Initiative" – Mr. Christian Huebel, City Director, Department for Democracy & Strategy, City of Mannheim, Germany and Hon. Josefina "Joy" Belmonte, Mayor of Quezon City, Philippines. Join us as we discuss the work of creating, building and serving community; and the work of fostering civic knowledge and engagement – from a global perspective. To learn more about these cities, please visit: www.mannheim.de or www.quezoncity.gov.ph. And, to learn more about the work of IVCLA, please visit www.IVCLA.org.

To learn more about CivitasLA, we invite you to visit www.CivitasLA.com. And we hope you'll rate and review our show; and connect with us on Facebook (@CivitasLA), Instagram (@Civitas_LA) and Twitter (@Civitas_LA).

In a December 2021 article by Time Out magazine, it noted about Los Angeles: "This city is big—and stuffed with so many worthwhile experiences that you'll never be asking yourself what to do—so expect to put in the miles taking in everything it has to offer, from the beaches of Santa Monica to the vibrant historic streets of the Arts District and super-hip Silver Lake. There are so many great places to visit and things to see, it can be hard knowing where to start and what to fit in." Join CivitasLA in this mini-episode as we are reminded by previous guests (including Patty Lombard, Marqueece Harris-Dawson, Lupita Sanchez Cornejo, Mike Feuer, Nora Houndalas, Claire Risoli, Robert Schwan, Adel Hagekhalil, OG Chino, Alia J. Daniels, Christopher J. Rodriguez, and Lorri Jean) as they remind us of a few of their favorite places to take a visitor across our region.

To learn more about CivitasLA, we invite you to visit www.CivitasLA.com. And we hope you'll rate and review our show; and connect with us on Facebook (@CivitasLA), Instagram (@Civitas_LA) and Twitter (@Civitas_LA).

From a report in "Restaurant Business" -- Beverages play an important role in our everyday lives. Besides the obvious importance of hydrating our bodies, the drink is a social gathering tool. Whether sharing an ice cream soda, toasting a new bride and groom with champagne, celebrating a promotion with a fine vintage, or meeting friends for coffee, the drink provides the social background. Join CivitasLA in this mini-episode as we are reminded by several of our previous guests (including Patty Lombard; Marqueece Harris-Dawson, Jasmine Willis, David Carlisle, Denise Diaz, Lindsey Horvath, Lupita Sanchez Cornejo, Claire Risoli, Craig Greiwe, Alex Valente, Janet Burt, Alia J. Daniels, Christopher J. Rodriguez, and Lorri Jean) of a few of their favorite places to take a sip across our region.

To learn more about CivitasLA, we invite you to visit www.CivitasLA.com. And we hope you'll rate and review our show; and connect with us on Facebook (@CivitasLA), Instagram (@Civitas_LA) and Twitter (@Civitas_LA).

Television writer Philip Rosenthal is quoted as saying "A good restaurant is like a vacation – it transports you, and it becomes a lot more than just about the food." Are you ready to be transported? Join CivitasLA for this mini-episode as we hear from previous guests (including Marqueece Harris-Dawson; Karen A. Clark; Jasmin Willis; David Carlisle; Lindsey Horvath; Lorna Little, Nora Houndalas; Craig Greiwe; Alex Valente; Alexander Kim; Alia J. Daniels; and Lorri Jean) as they remind us of some of "their" favorite restaurants across our region.

To learn more about CivitasLA, we invite you to visit www.CivitasLA.com. And we hope you'll rate and review our show; and connect with us on Facebook (@CivitasLA), Instagram (@Civitas_LA) and Twitter (@Civitas_LA).

As CivitasLA celebrates Pride Month 2022, we are joined by Lorri L. Jean, CEO of the Los Angeles LGBT Center, recognized as one of the most seasoned and effective LGBTQ leaders in the country. Starting from humble beginnings, with a budget of just under $8 million in 1993 when she arrived, her leadership has witnessed an exponential growth in resources to the Center and a significant growth in services to the community.

Since 1969, the Los Angeles LGBT Center (www.lalgbtcenter.org/about) has celebrated and championed LGBTQ+ individuals and families throughout the greater Los Angeles region, with a team of nearly 800 professionals serving community across ten locations, supported by a budget of nearly $150 million. As she prepares to retire, Lorri reflects on her decades of advocacy on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community and her leadership in elevating the LA LGBT Center to becoming one of the most significant non-profit organizations in the U.S.

To learn more about CivitasLA, we invite you to visit www.CivitasLA.com. And we hope you'll rate and review our show; and connect with us on Facebook (@CivitasLA), Instagram (@Civitas_LA) and Twitter (@Civitas_LA).

In a report from Project Child entitled "Why Diverse Representation Matters," it notes: "How often do you see an accurate depiction of yourself? How often can you pick out a character from a cast and be able to relate to their identity or cultural background? Are those questions even relevant enough to ask? The short answer: yes."

As CivitasLA celebrates Pride Month 2022, we are joined by Alia J. Daniels, Esq. and Christopher J. Rodriguez, Esq., Co-Founders of Revry (www.Revry.tv), the world's first global queer streaming network to discuss their work in advancing LGBTQ+ representation and stories. Revry offers members a uniquely curated selection of domestic and international content that includes iconic narrative and documentary films, cutting -edge series, groundbreaking podcasts, music albums and videos, and the most original queer-focused content in the world, embracing points of view and stories often overlooked and underrepresented in traditional media. With a mission to create a space for true belonging, Revry's presence has grown to reach a global audience in over 130 countries and more than 250 million homes.

To learn more about CivitasLA, we invite you to visit www.CivitasLA.com. And we hope you'll rate and review our show; and connect with us on Facebook (@CivitasLA), Instagram (@Civitas_LA) and Twitter (@Civitas_LA)

During the 1970s, after the United States relaxed immigration restrictions, more Koreans began to settle in what became Los Angeles's 2.7-mile neighborhood of Koreatown. Over time, this enclave of Korean immigrants has become a hotbed of Korean culture – from Korean BBQ to K-Pop – making a significant impact on the culture and economy of our region.

As CivitasLA celebrates Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, we are joined by three community and civic leaders, Janet Burt, Director of Diversity and Business Development, Lewis Brisbois; Alexander Kim, CEO, Three Kings Public Affairs; and OG Chino, Owner, Escala K-Town as we discuss the history of this neighborhood, the evolution of Korean American civic and political participation in our community, and the economic and cultural impacts on our region.

To learn more about CivitasLA, we invite you to visit www.CivitasLA.com. And we hope you'll rate and review our show; and connect with us on Facebook (@CivitasLA), Instagram (@Civitas_LA) and Twitter (@Civitas_LA).

With a goal to better understand the diverse communities and property types he was responsible for building across the region as a developer, Alex Valente, SVP, Trammell Crow Company, joins CivitasLA and shares his unique experience during the pandemic of decamping from his home and living in five different neighborhoods and multi-family property types across the region (over the course of 18 months!)

Hear Alex's journey as he experienced the distinct communities of Marina Del Rey, Chinatown/El Puebo, Bunker Hill, Koreatown, Santa Monica, and then Hollywood. Alex shares his take on these very different communities; perspectives on Los Angeles; and lessons learned and how it informs his work as a developer. To learn more, please visit Trammell Crow Company at www.trammellcrow.com.

And to learn more about CivitasLA, we invite you to visit www.CivitasLA.com. And we hope you'll rate and review our show; and connect with us on Facebook (@CivitasLA), Instagram (@Civitas_LA) and Twitter (@Civitas_LA).