Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove, City Leaders Headline Summit On Impact, Sustainability and Philanthropy

In a landmark event Jemmott Rollins Group, Inc. hosted the SLA+Hub Impact and Sustainability Summit, at LA Trade Technical College and it was a tremendous success.

The Black-owned corporation spearheaded this groundbreaking initiative geared towards South LA Providers. The Summit represented a sponsored analysis of the collaborative efforts to impact Homelessness, Community Development and Ownership, Grants, and ways to strengthen the partnership between the federal government and community-based organizations. With dozens of registrants and participants, including speakers, moderators, panelists, funders, volunteers, and event staff, the event was a vibrant celebration of business excellence.

Fran Jemmott, Principal and CEO of Jemmott Rollins Group, Inc., served as the event spokesperson. Jemmott played a pivotal role in establishing the California Black Women’s Health Project, which was created in 1994, with the support of former California Senator turned Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, along with other pioneers for women’s health advocacy.

The leadership of Jemmott set the stage for organizations and community partners. The Summit celebrated the progress made in improving community conditions and helped bring to light further concerns across the service industries.

The attendees came from across Los Angeles County and gathered to network, socialize, and gain valuable insights into the future of SLA+Hub impact and sustainability. The Summit, which also leveraged the expertise of leaders in the non-profit sector and philanthropy, addressed community engagement, community safety, mental illness, and successful consulting delivering organizational change.

The Summit, which was founded to address and combat issues in housing coalitions, sustainability strategies, steps to freedom, and ways grant makers can support efforts, convened some of L.A.’s most dedicated leaders. It was evident those in attendance were committed to helping others especially vulnerable residents in charting innovative pathways.

During the program, knowledgeable panelists led the Q&A with audience members to address relevant concerns, all contributing to the Summit’s lively atmosphere that included a working lunch.

Community members and guests enjoyed an eventful program coordinated by Jemmott Rollins Group, Inc., with addresses from the Chief Executive Officer for Jenesse Center, Inc. Karen Earl, Executive Director for The AMAAD Institute Gerald Garth, President and CEO for A Step to Freedom Kenya Croom, Program Manager for South LA Eco-Lab SLATE-Z Vanesa Iniguez, and President of LA Trade Technical College Dr. Alfred McQuarters.

Leaders who served as panelists included the Housing Coalitions Manager for the United Way of Greater Los Angeles Andrea Vocos, Vice President for Community Engagement of the Nonprofit Finance Fund, President & CEO for A Community of Friends Dora Leong Gallo, Senior Director of Housing Justice for the Liberty Hill Foundation Mike Dennis, Program Manager for L.A. Care Health Plan Tammy Marashlian, Program Officer for the James Irvine Foundation Tuquan Harrison, and President & CEO for The Hilton Foundation Kristin Aidana-Taday.

A highlight was the keynote address from The Honorable Sydney Kamlager-Dove, United States House of Representatives, 37th District, California. “I’m sharing with you examples of ways in which we can work together,” the Congresswoman stated. “I think the goal is how do you get on the next mailer with your organization with some money attached to it,” she added.

“Ms. Fran is going to connect you to our office,” said Kamlager-Dove. “Get on the mailing list,” Jemmott stated. “Get on the mailing list,” the Congresswoman echoed.

“We returned two million dollars to individual constituents; money from the IRS, unemployment, a whole bunch of stuff. We actually work to make sure you get back your money from the federal government. Sometimes it’s giving you money through grants and opportunities like that. And, sometimes it’s returning money that you are due, or reducing the money that you owe because of legitimate things,” Kamlager-Dove stated.

“I would also like to add that the hub was good Fran because we have local, county, state, and Hud here to answer people’s questions and they saw how important housing and affordable housing development is. And, also ways in which they can work better together and how we can get them better information. It was really good,” said the Congresswoman. “Also, these kinds of convenes are important for us so that we can get a grasp on how we can better serve and deliver because that’s also the role of government,” the Congresswoman stated.

“Well, I think that we will have some issues to talk to you about,” said Jemmott. “This was a very active engagement today. The whole idea of land acquisition housing development, taking the service provision to a higher level, letting the community both own the problem of homelessness and own the solutions,” Jemmott stated.

“We are very fortunate. When you talk about intersectionality; we have the federal government, we have state government. We have the non-profit sector. How unusual is it that we get everybody in the room together?” Jemmott asked. “And, hopefully, you had an opportunity to learn more about each other, share some of the values that are connected to your work that you promote in the community, and from that some sense of trust that is needed to take the risk of going to the next step,” Jemmott added.

“Strategic partnerships are born in places like this by getting to know each other,” said Jemmott.

“I think it’s important that we hear from the Deputy Mayor for the City of Los Angeles,” said Jemmott. “I think how fortunate are we to have someone sitting in the mayor’s office with the mayor’s ear who has been an organizational leader at the grassroots level. In philanthropy, who knows how money does and does not fold. And now, who has the opportunity to influence policy and practice. And, let’s be clear, all this Measure A and all of this, if we don’t monitor the implementation of these policies then we might as well not fight for them,” Jemmott added.

“So we need people who are on our side who bring the sensibility to their work and that is Karren Lane, the Community Leader for Community Safety,” Jemmott said.

“Thank you for inviting me into your space and sharing this time with me, I really do appreciate it,” Lane stated. “More importantly, I appreciate what you do every day. I do want to thank L.A. Trade Tech and SLATE Z for hosting and creating a space for folks to come together to create a space for people to learn from one another. So thank you to the folks who put the time and effort into designing this space. I also want to thank philanthropic partners,” the Deputy Mayor said.

Lane, who touched deeply on her expertise in criminal justice reform and public safety, has successfully partnered with community residents, government, and the private sector to improve the social and economic conditions impacting families in California.

One of the most moving demonstrations was the Fast-Pitch Award where the audience served as the grant maker. Three organizations were pre-selected to pitch for a $10,000 grant award. All made compelling speeches before the vibrant audience. Joshua Ham, President and Founder of The Healing Circle LA LLC, walked away as the grand prize winner.

“Your presentation was really enthusiastic and the people really connected with your message,” Earl told Ham.

When asked where his enthusiasm derived and how it felt to be the winner, Ham responded to Earl and the audience by saying “This is life work for me. I’ve been doing community things since I was eleven years old. We’ve been doing the work for six years right here in South Central L.A.“

“What are you going to do with the $10,000?” Earl asked.

“We’re going to be doing some events. The holidays are coming up so we typically feed the homeless. We have a partnership with Nordstrom Rack and UCLA, so we will be feeding folks and clothing folks and providing sanitary kits and things like that,” said Ham. “So the money will go to good use,” Earl added.

The Summit ended with remarks of gratitude from Jemmott.

“Our deepest appreciation. To the staff for your tireless efforts in pulling this all together. So many of you, you’re the wind beneath our wings. You keep us fired up and engaged. We look forward to seeing you again. Stay in touch,” Jemmott said.