Our business engagement work at the end of last year continued in earnest, with great success. Some of these items include:

• In November, UNITE-LA was honored to partner with the CalAsian Chamber on a virtual listening session with 49th Assembly District Assemblymember Mike Fong. The Assemblymember, who has been a long-time supporter of UNITE-LA, spoke about his experience in his first year in the California State Assembly and efforts to provide equitable access in support of both early and higher education initiatives. He also addressed the importance of digital equity and broadband access for our most vulnerable communities. The recording may be viewed here.
• Last quarter, UNITE-LA President Alysia Bell presented to the Valley Industry & Commerce Association (VICA) Labor & Employment Committee on the labor shortage in STEAM, health care and education, framed around the K16 collaborative, and Policy Director Humberto Estratalan presented to the VICA Education Committee on the importance of Child Care and Early Learning and its impacts on the County's economic bottom line alongside UNITE-LA Board Chair Francisco Rodriguez. VICA subsequently appointed Humberto as Vice Chair of their Education Committee starting in January 2023. The Education Committee will be chaired by L.A. Valley College President, Barry Gribbons, and covers a broad range of issues affecting early education, K-12, higher education and workforce development programs.
• UNITE-LA was pleased to formally join the Los Angeles LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce as a member last quarter and we have already begun to discuss advocacy collaboration to ensure policies that guarantee a strong future for ALL youth, and employers having access to the talent they need from California's students.
• UNITE-LA launched a Business Engagement webpage last quarter, which features key resources and a current list of business partners.