Vermont Slauson Economic Development Corporation (VSEDC)

In collaboration with the Black Professionals Network and The Source LA, our Black Business Month Mixer brought together visionary entrepreneurs and trailblazers who are shaping the future. We celebrated Black excellence by presenting the Business Excellence Award to outstanding entrepreneurs for their remarkable contributions to the business community. The event, moderated by Rocsii Wooley, featured an expert panel from the Vermont Slauson Economic Development Corporation (VSEDC). Panelists included Libby Williams (COO), Thai Buckman (Director of Technology & Innovation), Jessica Aquino (BusinessSource Center Program Manager), and Jazz Keyes (LA County EMI Leader), who shared invaluable resources and opportunities for Black business owners. If you missed this impactful event, comment below to receive invitations to future community gatherings like this one! 👇🏾

On August 16, 2024, we celebrated our Digital Ambassadors Culmination Ceremony at the VSEDC Watts Business Source Center, honoring the dedication and perseverance of our 32 Digital Ambassadors, who have been vital in supporting their communities and addressing the digital divide. For the 2023/2024 reporting year, our Digital Ambassadors helped us serve 10,000 residents across Los Angeles, assist 3,895 individuals through the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), and distribute 500 devices to seniors, ensuring broader access to essential technology and resources. These young leaders, aged 18-30, received comprehensive digital literacy training, gaining skills to help others connect to the internet, access virtual learning, find employment opportunities, and utilize telehealth services. We’re proud to have provided a space for growth, inclusion, and community impact. Thank you to everyone who supported this program. We look forward to continuing to bridge the digital divide together! #DigitalAmbassadors #CommunityImpact #DigitalEquity #Teamwork #VSEDC

🌟 Exciting Career Opportunity! 🌟 Vermont Slauson Economic Development Corporation (VSEDC) and the South LA Best Buy Teen Tech Center are looking for a dynamic individual to lead an exciting program where technology meets imagination. Salary Range: $50,000 - $62,000 If you’re driven by technology and community impact, apply here: https://bit.ly/4g0DNNI Send this to someone you know who's looking for a career that makes an impact! #TechForYouth #VSEDC #CareerOpportunity

Exciting news for South LA! 🎉 Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove has secured $500,000 for VSEDC’s Slauson Neighborhood Revitalization Project! This funding will help transform the Vermont Slauson Shopping Center—a critical 10-acre hub serving 250,000 residents. The project aims to create 150 new jobs, support local small businesses, and provide expanded entrepreneurship training for community members. This investment goes beyond infrastructure; it’s about empowering the South LA community to thrive and build a sustainable future. Stay tuned for more updates as we work toward greater economic growth and opportunity! 💼🌟 #CommunityEmpowerment #SouthLA #EconomicDevelopment #VSEDC

📚 Empowering Education and Bridging the Digital Divide 📚 AT&T and Human-I-T are teaming up to provide 150 refurbished laptops and backpacks filled with school supplies to students and families supported by the Coalition for Responsible Community Development (CRCD), Salvadoran American Leadership and Educational Fund (SALEF), and Vermont Slauson Economic Development Corporation (VSEDC). This initiative is part of AT&T’s broader effort to equip 20,000 students nationwide with the tools they need before heading back to school. 🎒💻 Each laptop, funded by AT&T, will be distributed to pre-selected recipients, helping to bridge the digital divide and ensure students have access to the resources they need to succeed. The backpacks include essentials like notebooks, pencils, headphones, and handwritten cards of encouragement from AT&T employees. 📝🎧 This effort is part of AT&T Connected Learning®, a $5 billion commitment to help 25 million people get and stay connected to high-speed internet by 2030. Since 2021, AT&T has distributed over 22,000 devices to students and families across California. Join us as we work together to close the digital divide and empower the next generation. 📶✨ #VSEDC #DigitalDivide #ConnectedLearning #EmpoweringEducation #ATT #HumanIT #CommunityImpact

Don’t miss our Black Business Month Mixer! Network with visionary Black entrepreneurs who are making history and shaping the future. ✨ Event Highlights: Expert Panel Discussion: Moderated by Rocsii Wooley, featuring VSEDC leaders like COO Libby Williams, Director of Tech & Innovation Thai Buckman, and more, sharing valuable insights on business resources and opportunities. - Practical Tips: Learn essential strategies for marketing, financial management, and scaling your business. - Business Excellence Awards: Celebrate outstanding Black entrepreneurs who are making a significant impact in the community. 🗓️ Wednesday, August 21,2024 ⏰ 6 PM to 9 PM 📍 The Gathering Spot LA Come be inspired, informed, and connected! RSVP: https://bit.ly/3SJMb9Y #BlackBusinessMonth #Entrepreneurship #BusinessExcellence

Thank you to Lenwood V Long Sr of the African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs for featuring our work with the Vermont Slauson Economic Development Corporation (VSEDC). We're proud to support Black-owned businesses as they uplift their communities. https://loom.ly/zhb__Rw

What an unforgettable evening at our Partners Appreciation Mixer! Last week, we had the privilege of honoring some incredible partners who make our mission possible: 🏦 Bank Partner/Corporate: PNC 🏛️ Government Partner: LA County Department of Economic Opportunity 📈 Small Businesses of the Year: Pucker Up Lemonade and Mariscos Marias A huge thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating our community’s strength and collaboration! Here’s to many more milestones together!

**Leadership Spotlight** Libby Williams, Chief Operating Officer of Vermont Slauson Economic Development Corporation (VSEDC), moderated an insightful discussion this afternoon titled "Get in the Game: A Play-by-Play Guide to Accessing Capital for Small Business Success" at the #SmallBusinessSummit. The panel featured distinguished experts from both public and private sectors, including Michael Martinez from CaliforniaOSBA, Felipe Moscoso from the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity, Kathy Scott from Citi, and Lizbeth La Broy from USBank. Check out the press release to hear Libby’s thoughts on how this program aims to level the playing field for small businesses! https://lnkd.in/gWWP_hqP

VSEDC Reimagined VSEDC, a cornerstone of economic development in South Los Angeles, is excited to unveil its next chapter with a comprehensive rebrand that reflects our evolved identity and diverse connection to our growing communities. Our new look merges classic elements with modern sensibility, honoring our rich legacy while embracing the City's evolving landscape. Why Rebrand? Rebranding brings a renewed opportunity to amplify our mission and reaffirm our unyielding, innovative devotion to creating positive change. VSEDC leverages a revamped website and a fresh color palette, typography, and imagery to invigorate the organization's communications. Designed with user experience in mind, our new digital home will be a comprehensive resource for VSEDC services, success stories, and opportunities. VSEDC's new logo is a visual love letter to Los Angeles. Maintaining the traditional circular design, a stylized cityscape in cool shades of blue and green nods to our urban environment. The cityscape flows westward, morphing into abstract curves that evoke the rolling hills and beaches of the South Bay. It's a reminder that VSEDC's impact stretches beyond city streets, reaching into the diverse communities that make up our region. Partner with Us: We encourage partners to collaborate on initiatives that drive positive change in our communities. If you share our vision and want to make a difference, contact hq@vsedc.org to explore partnership opportunities. Be the Change We invite you, our valued community members, potential partners, and stakeholders to explore our new website at www.vsedc.org to learn more about our impactful programs. Browse our merchandise and witness how aligning our visual identity with our mission will allow us to amplify our services. Together, we can build a more prosperous and equitable future for all. See how we're making a difference on Instagram, and remember to check out our Success Stories for in-depth insights. Stay updated with us through Facebook and LinkedIn.