ASCEND LA brings together a network of non-profit lenders, education providers, and B2B market makers to provide diverse entrepreneurs with the resources and market access they need to accelerate business growth. Led by LISC LA and funded by JP Morgan Chase, ASCEND LA focuses on helping diverse small businesses strengthen their capacity to acquire corporate and government contracts.

This three-year implementation plan supports an integrated, place-based approach to advancing economic mobility for communities in South LA. The recommendations seek to nurture South LA’s strengths, address areas of need, connect South LA residents and businesses to regional economy, and foster connection across local organizations and entities to create ladders of economic opportunity for South LA residents.

Photo via joey zanotti

Small locally owned businesses are essential to every city’s local economy and neighborhood vitality. As business owners look to retire, we want to help keep these businesses open and thriving in their local communities. LISC LA is working with the City of Long Beach, Citi Community Development, and Project Equity to pilot a unique small business preservation program focused on transitioning legacy businesses into employee owned enterprises.  

Building off the City of Long Beach’s Economic Blueprint, Everyone In recommends a set of a policies and programs to ensure that all residents have the opportunity to engage in the city’s economic prosperity. LISC LA helped drive the Everyone In agenda, which was adopted by the City in 2019.