New Coalition Unites Black Leaders Across LA County

The Greater Los Angeles Black Leaders Collective (GLABLC) officially launched on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, bringing together some of the region’s most influential Black leaders and organizations to champion equity, economic empowerment, and systemic change across Los AngelesCounty.

Born out of a shared commitment to close racial wealth and opportunity gaps, GLABLC is a unified initiative designed to amplify Black leadership and build collaborative solutions to the challenges facing Black Angelenos from healthcare access and workforce pipelines to arts, culture, and civic engagement.

GLABLC’s work is guided by four pillars: Economic Mobility, Direct Relief, Policy Change and Practice Transformation, and Community Impact. Convened by the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC), the Collective is committed to driving lasting, measurable impact across its pillars by uniting leaders, aligning strategies, and advancing solutions that strengthen resilience and opportunity for BlackAngelenos.

“This moment demands bold, collective action,” said Sarah R. Harris, Chair of GLABLC and President & CEO of the Black Business Association. “For too long, Black communities in Los Angeles have been locked out of the highest-wage industries and denied equal opportunity. GLABLC exists to change that. By aligning our leadership and voice, we can move from incremental progress to transformational impact.”

“LA is the 20th largest economy in the world, but our success story isn’t complete until it’s shared by everyone,” said Stephen Cheung, President & CEO of LAEDC. “GLABLC is exactly the kind of coalition LA County needs to ensure Black communities can access the industries driving our region’s future. Together, we can make equity and competitiveness inseparable in Los Angeles County’s growth story.”

The launch comes at a critical time, as federal healthcare policy changes and philanthropic cutbacks threaten to deepen disparities in access to coverage, nonprofit stability, and workforce opportunity. GLABLC is committed to sounding the alarm on these challenges and building community-driven solutions, whether through advocating for healthcare protections, developing volunteer and apprenticeship pathways, or strengthening Black-led nonprofits that anchor communities.

“GLABLC is about power and partnership,” said Angela Gibson Shaw, President of the Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce. “By leveraging our networks, aligning our advocacy, and sharing resources, we’re creating an initiative that will not only support Blackbusinesses and workers today, but also build intergenerational wealth for tomorrow.”

About the Greater Los Angeles Black Leaders Collective

The Greater Los Angeles Black Leaders Collective unites Black-led organizations, executives, and allies to build economic power, close racial wealth gaps, and advance equity across Los Angeles County. Grounded in collaboration, accountability, and collective action, GLABLC works to connect Black communities to high-wage industries, advocate for inclusive policies, strengthen nonprofits, and amplify Black cultural and civic leadership.