Economic Development

It seems we could embrace a broad or global set of recommendations that fall under “Economic Development” for the Black community. That would include the following:

Employment Development

  • Assure fair and full access to city employment opportunities
  • Assure fair and full opportunity to inclusive, non-discriminatory City workplace and management practices, equitable promotional opportunities, representation across all departments and staff levels
  • City encourages exiting businesses, developers, contractors to implement (and/or increase) fair and open access to employment
  • City prioritizes re-hiring of Black employees whose jobs where lost due to economic downturn/COVID19 shutdown
  • City creates "Litmus Test" for City businesses in terms of fair, equitable hiring practices, workforce diversity/representation
  • Black agenda collaborate with and support the work of GARE(Government Alliance for Racial Equality) Business Development - Creating pathways, full support, greater options for establishing Black-owned businesses
  • (City) Expanding and disseminating information to potential businesses, entrepreneurs across LA county, target key organizations-networks relevant to the Black community for marketing
  • (City) Review existing rules, regulations, administrative processes to assure ease, clarity and fairness for establishing businesses

Reparations

  • Identify possible options for obtaining reparations
  • Develop recommendations re: the forms that reparations can take, I.e., direct payments, economic concessions, access to financial opportunities such as loans, loan forgiveness, resettlement of families affected by impact of imminent domain and racial covenants (Belmar, 10 freeway for example) - reclaim our land
  • Determine beneficiaries of reparations
  • Educate Santa Monica community about "wht" reparations are important: History, Economic Impact, Community Separation and Disruption = Loss of Black folks

COVID19 Economic Recovery

  • Address disproportionate employment impact and unemployment
  • Address business community policies that have negative impact on Black community, e.g., credit card only transactions
  • Support for housing security and protection from evictions especially for essential workers; mortgage payment concessions; assistance in securing housing
  • Encourage exiting businesses to invest in Black business development and entrepreneurship (partnerships, mentoring, apprenticeships, internships, inclusion in existing business networks) k
  • Build business in key sectors: retail, restaurants, technology, entertainment