In late 2022, UNITE-LA met with George Hempe, director of Workforce Development at the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, to learn about the work the chamber is doing to advance workforce development and talent pipelines in Las Vegas. In addition to potential, future collaborations, UNITE-LA connected Hempe to the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) team to elevate his work in Las Vegas to the national ACCE network. Hempe, along with Nancy Spivey, vice president of Talent Strategies at the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, spoke to the seven communities participating in UNITE-LA/ACCE’s Equitable Credential Attainment Cohort for a session on industry collaboratives/sector partnerships.

UNITE-LA had the pleasure of participating in the Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber’s annual Black Business Leaders Convening in February, which focused on supporting the next generation of African American leaders in the region. The panel discussion elevated the need to advocate for and uplift inclusion and empowerment of Black talent in our political offices, systems and communities to build a pipeline of Black success. The role of the education system was referenced as a key component of shaping the future of Black leaders and the recent Culver City Black Student Success Plan was elevated as an example of intentional support of historically underrepresented students. Panelists included representatives from Sen. Smallwood-Cuevas’ office, Amazon and the City of Culver City.

UNITE-LA’s Policy team supported the Regional Economic Association Leaders of California (R.E.A.L.) Education & Workforce Development (EDWD) Committee February meeting, providing the committee with an overview of EDWD bills for support consideration, including the UNITE-LA sponsored Satisfactory Academic Practice Bill [AB789 (Berman)]. This legislation would remove barriers that limit students’ ability to keep their financial aid. Additionally, thanks to collaboration with UNITE-LA’s Systems team, the session featured remarks by Sean Hughes, policy director of the California Opportunity Youth Network (COYN), who shared their advocacy priorities, including ACR-16, a measure that would declare that the Legislature recognizes the importance of creating pathways to success for California’s opportunity youth and the need to develop a statewide comprehensive plan that will reduce persistent economic inequities endured by California’s opportunity youth. The committee has issued a formal letter of coalition support.