LISC LA’s Holiday Market Celebrated Women- and Diverse-Owned Businesses
12.15.2022
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LISC StoriesEconomic Development
The rain didn’t stop LISC LA’s first-ever indoor holiday market at The Beehive in South LA, featuring diverse-owned businesses in the retail, food and beverage, service, and entertainment industries. Community members enjoyed a family-friendly day of shopping, raffles, food, free professional headshots, and holiday cheer. Entertainment was provided by local DJ and emcee, DJ Will Gill, a capella group DC6 Singers, and singer and guitarist Jessica Louise. A free community event, this unique marketplace provided a place to come together, support, and celebrate women- and diverse-owned businesses.
The holiday market was part of LISC LA’s Asset Building for Communities of Color (ABC) Program. Funded by a $20 million grant from Wells Fargo, LISC LA established the ABC Program to help diverse small business owners and startups across LA County unlock their potential to grow, scale, create jobs, and fuel wealth creation. The ABC program is supporting local businesses and thriving communities by providing flexible and low-cost capital for women, veteran, LGBTQ+, and BIPOC-owned businesses.
Many of the market’s featured vendors were just awarded up to $250K in growth capital plus technical assistance by the ABC Program to acquire key assets in order to grow their business.
“LISC LA is committed to creating wealth-building opportunities for diverse businesses by providing accessible funding options. And we are thrilled to host this market exclusively for local businesses owned by women and people of color,” said Emma Kloppenburg, Senior Program Officer at LISC LA.
“With the funding received from LISC LA’s ABC Program, Toss It Up will be able to acquire dedicated company vehicles, one of which will be refrigerated, to increase our ingredient and produce capacity, and expand production. The growth from these assets will allow us to commit to other company priorities, including our ‘For South LA, By South LA’ hiring policy to hire and maintain over 60% staff of local hirees,” said Javonne Sanders, CEO and Founder of Toss it Up and featured holiday market vendor.
If you missed the holiday market but would like to support the featured businesses, check them out at https://www.lisc.org/los-angeles/abc-fund/growth-capital-recipients.
