A Year of Impact

This year, The Center made a meaningful difference in local communities. From helping small businesses navigate the challenges of climate change, to keeping Angelenos safely housed, our programs and partnerships focused on building opportunities and strengthening resilience. Here are some of the highlights of our successes in 2024:

Expanding Housing Solutions
The Center partnered with the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs to deliver the second round of the LA County Rent Relief Program (LARRP). This program provided over $92 million to mom-and-pop landlords, protecting tenants and stabilizing housing in high-need areas. The Center’s President & CEO, Tunua Thrash-Ntuk, co-authored the op-ed “How CDFI’s Can Help Fix America’s Housing Affordability Crisis”, advocating for Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) to fund middle-density housing that offer affordable ownership opportunities and help reduce housing inequities.

Building a Greener Future
The Center launched its multi-pronged Climate Resilience strategy to create a more equitable green economy. Highlights include initiatives like the Small Business Green Survey Crawl in partnership with the City of Pasadena, helping communities access funding for clean energy projects and water conservation in drought-stricken areas. We launched the Contractors Accelerator for Climate Resilience to help small businesses win contracts in renewable energy and green infrastructure. Graduate Erick Castro, owner of Kana Subsurface Engineering, used the knowledge he gained to secure a $1.5M Caltrans contract.

Helping Small Business Owners Succeed
The Center empowered 200+ entrepreneurs through programs like the Credit Builder Program, which provided $2,500 grants and tools to establish strong business credit. Beltline Business Ventures (BBV), a small business accelerator dedicated to empowering local businesses in Atlanta, Georgia, graduated its second and third cohorts. The first Beltline Pitch Competition awarded $125,000 to entrepreneurs, including $45,000 to the grand prize winner and BBV alum, El Ponce.

As 2024 draws to a close, we celebrate the entrepreneurs, partners, and communities who made this year extraordinary. The Center remains dedicated to building economic equity, fostering innovation, and creating pathways for long-term success. Together, we’ve proven that resilience and collaboration can turn challenges into opportunities. Here’s to continuing this impactful work in 2025 and beyond!