Christopher Gil
Associate Director of Marketing and Communications
Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA)
(415) 282-3334 ext. 152
cgil@medasf.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 14, 2021
MEDA Selected for Award to Invest in Contract Workers, Small Business Owners of Color Hardest Hit by COVID-19
Pushing forth equitable recovery for small businesses owned by people of color
SAN FRANCISCO — The Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA) will receive funding to assist minority entrepreneurs and 1099 workers as they recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. The grant, awarded by Kaiser Permanente, the nation’s largest integrated, nonprofit health system, and the National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders (NALCAB) will also provide technical assistance and training as part of MEDA’s work to provide culturally relevant support to low-wealth entrepreneurs and 1099 contract workers of color.
“Our small businesses in San Francisco’s Mission District have been some of the hardest hit in our city during the pandemic,” said MEDA Director of Fondo Adelante Elizabeth Dwyer. “This funding fosters equitable recovery that will ensure these Latino and immigrant entrepreneurs can return to thriving rather than just surviving.”
Through a competitive process, organizations in California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Oregon, Virginia, Washington and Washington, D.C. were eligible to apply for grants administered by NALCAB. The grants will support resiliency among entrepreneurs, including more effectively adapting their business model to the constraints of public health guidance, and assistance in navigating and accessing federal, state and local government, as well as philanthropic, emergency relief and business assistance resources.
Through its commitment to foster economic opportunity for traditionally underserved communities, Kaiser Permanente has also designated grants to increase access to formal training, business networks, and recovery and growth capital to help businesses led by Latinos and other groups to overcome systemic economic disadvantage.
“With the understanding that a return to ‘business as usual’ is still far off, it is urgent that the small businesses and entrepreneurs of color who have suffered disproportionate financial setbacks during the pandemic receive aid and assistance to maintain their vitality,” said Stephanie Ledesma, interim senior vice president for community health programs at Kaiser Permanente.
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About Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA)
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
About National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders (NALCAB)
NALCAB is the hub of a national network of more than 130 mission-driven organizations in 40 states, DC and Puerto Rico that serve ethnically diverse Latino communities across the US. Members of the NALCAB Network invest in their communities by building affordable housing, addressing gentrification, supporting small business growth, and providing financial counseling on issues such as credit building and home ownership. Our mission is to strengthen the economy by advancing economic mobility in Latino communities. The NALCAB Network serves hundreds of thousands of low and moderate-income people, the vast majority of whom are immigrants or the children of immigrants.
nalcab.org
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