Recap: A Dinner and Discussion on Black LA’s Economic Future
In advance of LAEDC’s 2026 Economic Forecast, LAEDC’s Black leadership – Jermaine Hampton, Vice President of Workforce Development & Strategic Initiatives; Kendal R. Turner, Executive Vice President & CFO; and Ron Frierson, LAEDC Board Chair, convened an intimate dinner with an extraordinary group of Black leaders from across Los Angeles County. Attendees represented business, healthcare, higher education, workforce development, creative industries, public service, and community-based organizations.
The evening reflected the depth of relationships and cross-sector engagement strengthened over the past year through LAEDC’s strategic initiatives. More than a gathering, it demonstrated coordinated leadership, shared strategy, and a collective commitment to advancing economic mobility and opportunity across Black Los Angeles.
The conversation focused on economic shifts impacting our communities, alignment with high-growth sectors, and how Black leadership can continue shaping durable systems across workforce, business development, recovery, research, and global investment.
The newly released Black Los Angeles: Together report documents this work, positioning Black leadership as essential regional infrastructure driving inclusive economic growth across LA County.
We are grateful to the remarkable leaders who joined us and continue to partner with LAEDC in building a Coalition of One — an Economy for All.
