‘Everyone In’ Initiative Receives $50,000 Grant from Wells Fargo to Launch Implementation Strategy

Wells Fargo grant will support the implementation of policies and programs to create a local economy that benefits every Long Beach resident.

Long Beach City Councilmember Rex Richardson and Los Angeles Local Initiative Support Corporation (LA LISC) are proud to announce a $50,000 grant from Wells Fargo to fund the second phase of ‘Everyone In.’ The Everyone In Economic Inclusion Initiative was launched in November 2017 by Councilmember Richardson to create a local economy that includes and benefits every Long Beach resident. Following the initiative’s unveiling, the City Council approved four economic inclusion items, which directed staff to conduct a deeper assessment through outreach and program implementation.

‘Everyone In’ used a three-pronged approach to focus on data collection, learning, and understanding the strengths and challenges facing the Long Beach community. The three strategies of Phase 1 included a listening tour led by the Department of Economic Development and The Office of Equity, a series of policy roundtables facilitated by LA LISC to analyze best economic inclusion practices around the country, and a comprehensive data analysis and economic equity profile of the City of Long Beach, conducted by USC’s Program for Environmental and Regional Equity (PERE) and PolicyLink, which will be released early February. Phase 1 of ‘Everyone In’ culminated with the ‘Everyone In’ Economic Equity Summit in May 2018, sponsored by Wells Fargo, bringing community members, business leaders, policymakers, and philanthropic partners together for a day-long conference centered on innovative approaches to building a more inclusive economy.

To support the next steps of ‘Everyone In,’ Wells Fargo has awarded LA LISC a $50,000 grant to fund Phase 2, the Implementation Strategy. “Wells Fargo has acted as both a strong partner and active participant in ‘Everyone In’ activities since the initiative’s inception,” said Councilmember Richardson. “Having financial institutions at the same table as our community members legitimizes the case for economic inclusion, and I am thrilled that Wells Fargo shares the same enthusiasm about expanding economic opportunity.”

The Implementation Strategy will use two engagement methods to outline an agenda of policy and program recommendations, informed by the Phase 1 findings. 

“Wells Fargo is proud to support this innovative platform aimed at removing barriers and creating pathways to opportunity and ensuring that every resident can thrive,” said Wells Fargo Region Bank President Natasha Mata. “We look forward to seeing the outcomes that are achieved through this collaboration.”

First, the City of Long Beach will partner with LA LISC to convene an Implementation Committee of stakeholders, to analyze the data and recommendations informed by year one to tailor policies and programs, specific to the City of Long Beach in four policy areas: Housing & Homeownership, Diverse Entrepreneurship, Small Business, and Procurement, Workforce & Youth Development, and Economic Resiliency. 

Second, a Community Conversation Series will be organized to gather feedback around specific policy and program ideas, including establishing a Minority-Owned and Woman-Owned Small Business Council and a new Community Development Corporation. The series will host regional and cultural focus groups to re-engage Phase 1 participants and introduce the initiative to more of the community. 

The second phase of ‘Everyone In’ kicked off with the first convening of the Implementation Committee on Wednesday, January 30th at the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library.  For more information on the ‘Everyone In’ initiative, contact us at LALISC@lisc.org.

“The mission of the City’s Blueprint for Economic Development is to create economic opportunity for workers, investors, and entrepreneurs in the City of Long Beach,” said John Keisler, Director of Economic Development. “Innovative grants like this help us to advance our mission for all people.”