The Small Business Administration and Operation Hope have partnered on a One Million Black Businesses by 2030 initiative. They kicked off their 15-stop national tour at Vermont Slauson Economic Development Corporation Wednesday, September 14.
An A-List lineup spoke at the press event – VSEDC President and CEO Joseph T. Rouzan, III, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, Los Angeles City Councilmember Curren D. Price from the 9th District, Operation Hope Founder, Chairman and CEO John Hope Bryant, and SBA Administrator Isabella Guzman.
Take a look below for the highlights.

At VSEDC we don’t believe technology is of the future, but rather now. We must equip our future generation with technical skills for meaningful and self-sustaining careers for business ownership.”
– Joseph T. Rouzan, III, President and CEO of Vermont Slauson Economic Development Corporation

We got a lot of work still to do, but this is a good place to be with this group here today. And it all starts with small business. This initiative is necessary. We didn’t take to the streets two years ago to forget about racism today. We have to be ongoing, intentional, and we have to see it through. Racial injustice isn’t just a march one day. It is a cause for our lives.”
– Eric Garcetti, Mayor of the City of Los Angeles

– Curren D. Price, Los Angeles City Councilmember, Council District 9

If you do not have technology at the center of what you are doing, you are not growing. You need technology at the center of your church, your non-profit, for-profit, small business, and political office.
This moment is not coming back. It’s not. 25 thousand dollars in services. They are yours. It costs you nothing but your time. They (the SBA) are here because they believe in you. And this country needs you.”
– John Hope Bryant, Founder, Chairman, CEO of Operation Hope

Morgan Stanley did a study and found there’s a 4.4 trillion-dollar opportunity gap in our economy because they know that women and businesses owned by people of color don’t achieve the same level of revenues, or the same level of job creation as white owned businesses because they are under invested in. And that’s exactly what the SBA does. The SBA tries to fund businesses or get our private partners to YES more easily so that our businesses can succeed.”
– Isabella Guzman, SBA Administrator
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Thank you. How can I get an appointment with a business counselor regarding my business?
You bet! Give us call at 323-753-2335 during business hours (8a – 5p) and we will connect you. Thanks for reading!
When is the next event and how can I get involve as a small business?
Hi Lennie, Thanks for reaching out. A great place to start is to send an email to hq@vsedc.org. That email address is checked daily. VSEDC is located in and services South Los Angeles. Thank you! – Corey