Coalition for Responsible Community Development

We are excited to officially welcome the third cohort of the South LA is Home Faith-Based Capacity Building Series!

This month, faith leaders from Emmanuel-HM Turner AME Church, Brookins-Kirkland Community African Methodist Episcopal Church, Greater New Salem MBC, House of Refuge Church of God in Christ, and Emmanuel Church of God in Christ gathered at Casa de Rosas for Session 2: The Real Estate Landscape, led by renowned community leader, housing advocate, and Casa de Rosas founder, Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker.

We are grateful to Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker, founding President of WARD EDC, for sharing her expertise and vision, and we look forward to supporting this cohort throughout their journey as they continue building stronger, more resilient communities across South LA.

One of the biggest questions surrounding major infrastructure investment is simple: how do local micro and small businesses access opportunities?

At CRCD’s South LA All In Infrastructure Forum, our Small Business Procurement focused on how small businesses, contractors, and entrepreneurs can better understand procurement and subcontracting pathways connected to infrastructure projects across the region.
Thank you to our moderator, Ken Billups, AECOM and an incredible panel for helping make the conversation practical and accessible.

Our panel included:
Ken Billups, Vice President of Economic Inclusion and Social Impact, AECOM (moderator) Libby Williams Director of Small Business & Policy City of Los Angeles, Office of Mayor Karen Bass Roula Terzian, Accounting Strategist, Jacobs, Brittney Parkinson, Senior Director of Community & Citizenship, Los Angeles & Orange County, Turner Construction, Erikk Aldridge, Vice President of Impact, LA28, and Veronica Vitela Director of Economic Development, Coalition for Responsible Community Development,

When small and micro businesses understand how to navigate procurement, build relationships, and prepare for future contracts, infrastructure investment can become a pathway to local business growth, job creation, and community wealth.

South LA’s small businesses are ready. Our work now is making sure opportunity is clear, connected, and within reach!

Congratulations to the graduates of CRCD Academy! 🎓

Your graduation reflects your hard work, resilience, and dedication, and we are so proud of all you have accomplished. As you begin this next chapter, we know you'll continue to achieve great things.

This celebration is especially meaningful as CRCD marks 20 years of impact in South Los Angeles, creating pathways to opportunity alongside our community.

A heartfelt thank you to our valued partners, Los Angeles Trade–Technical College and YouthBuild Charter School of California, for their partnership and commitment to empowering our students. Together, we're helping build brighter futures.

Congratulations, Class of 2026! We can't wait to see what's next. 💙