SAN FRANCISCO, OCTOBER 11th, 2023 — The Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA) will celebrate its 50th anniversary during the annual gala, ¡VIVA MEDA!, at San Francisco City Hall. The festivities will commence at 6 p.m., and the celebration will be graced by the presence of community leaders and elected officials. The event will also feature Janet Murguía, President and CEO of UnidosUS, the largest Latino civil rights organization in the United States, as its keynote speaker.
“We are celebrating 50 years of innovation, togetherness and impact for our beloved community, with the conviction that the best is yet to come for MEDA and the families and individuals of the Mission District,” said Luis Granados, MEDA’s Chief Executive Officer. “Our organization will continue to adapt to the times to support the community, whether it’s through building affordable housing, strengthening small businesses, or providing resources in schools. We will do it with audacity and in collaboration with our partners in the city.”
MEDA started its journey in 1973 as a nonprofit dedicated to providing technical assistance to small businesses in the Mission District. Today, MEDA has evolved into an organization boasting a team of over 100 dedicated staff members, diversifying its portfolio to adapt to the ever-changing needs of the community. Over the past decade, MEDA has successfully expanded its reach, transforming into an affordable housing developer and a community lender through its CDFI, Fondo Adelante. Additionally, MEDA proudly serves as the anchor organization for Mission Promise Neighborhood, a collaborative, impactful anti-poverty education initiative. The outstanding work of MEDA has garnered national recognition and serves as a model for practitioners throughout the nation.
At the gala, themed ‘Mission Roots, National Legacy,’ MEDA will be presenting its Client of the Year, Community Impact, and Legacy awards. The Client of The Year Award will be bestowed upon Alicia Venegas and Raúl Altamirano, whose unwavering commitment to financial capability education led them to establish a successful janitorial services business and save towards the down payment for their first home. The Community Impact Award will be granted to Marco Senghor, the owner of Bissap Baobab restaurant. Since his arrival in San Francisco in the late eighties from Senegal, Senghor has made the Mission District his home, with his businesses warmly embraced by the community. His expanded restaurant now serves as a vibrant and diverse hub to nurture culture and arts. Lastly, the Legacy Award will be presented to Jabari Herbert, a 25-year veteran of the real estate development industry. Herbert’s visionary approach, focused on fostering local ownership, promoting sustainable economic development, and preserving the cultural heritage of local residents, strongly aligns with MEDA’s mission to build equity to the Mission District.
The celebration will be topped off with live music and dancing from Vilma Díaz y la Sonora (formerly known as Sonora Dinamita.)
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About Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA)
MEDA is a nonprofit started in 1973. Rooted in San Francisco’s Mission District, MEDA is advancing a national equity movement by building Latino prosperity, community ownership and civic power. We envision generations of Latino families choosing where to call home, thriving economically, succeeding in learning opportunities, and leading policy and social change toward a more equitable society.
medasf.org
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