LBCEI is a community development corporation that expands inclusive economic opportunities to build and sustain wealth for all communities in Long Beach.
Everyone In means small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs in all parts of town have access to the resources they need to grow their companies, and create local, family-supporting jobs.
Everyone In means making sure every part of town is economically viable, and that anyone who wants a job has one.
Everyone In means making sure that everyone has an opportunity to build wealth and have access to capital, whether you’re a small business owner, worker, or an aspiring homeowner.
Everyone In means creating an environment where everyone has a seat at the table and an opportunity to thrive.
Establishing a Community Development Corporation (CDC) was an objective of the ‘Everyone In’ Economic Inclusion Initiative and an undertaking of a core group of community partners: Long Beach City Councilmember Rex Richardson, the ‘Everyone In’ Implementation Committee, Long Beach Community Action Partnership, Wells Fargo, and the City of Long Beach. In June 2019, the Long Beach City Council unanimously approved the ‘Everyone In’ Implementation Plan, a comprehensive outline of five key recommendations that would help expand access to economic opportunity in the areas of Small Business and Diverse Entrepreneurship, Procurement, Workforce and Youth Development, Connectedness (Economic Resiliency), Housing and Homeownership. The recommendation to support the establishment of a CDC that facilitates economic development at the neighborhood-level was included in this package of economic inclusion recommendations. Following its approval, Wells Fargo awarded Long Beach Community Action Partnership, our fiscal sponsor, $115,000 in grant funding to support the CDC’s startup process.
In June 2019, the Long Beach City Council unanimously approved the ‘Everyone In’ Implementation Plan, a comprehensive outline of five key recommendations that would help expand access to economic opportunity in the areas of Small Business and Diverse Entrepreneurship, Procurement, Workforce and Youth Development, Connectedness (Economic Resiliency), and Housing and Homeownership. Supporting the establishment of a community development corporation was included in this Plan, as various community partners have joined together to begin this process. Both the City of Long Beach and Wells Fargo have supported this effort to form a citywide CDC that facilitates economic development at the neighborhood-level.
The organization is a product of the ‘Everyone In’ Economic Inclusion Plan’ that was championed by Long Beach City Councilmember Rex Richardson in a partnership with the Los Angeles Local Initiative Support Coalition (LISC LA) back in 2017.
“This organization will be a vital piece of the puzzle, it will help bring in resources and support for our underrepresented communities and work to ensure that our overall economic development efforts include all parts of our city.”
– John Keisler, Economic Development Director
Emily Kazim was born and raised in Santa Cruz County, California. She moved to Long Beach in 2013 after obtaining a B.S. in Journalism and a minor in Philosophy from California Polytechnic, San Luis Obispo. Emily entered the nonprofit sector in 2015, serving first as a program coordinator, then tutoring director, and, in 2018, as the director of the Fountain of Life Family Center. In 2021, she joined the LBCEI team as the Food Support Program Coordinator. In 2022, she became the Food Support Program Manager, overseeing the food and basic needs program and managing several grants. Emily is excited to continue furthering the mission and goals of LBCEI in her role as Executive Director.
Emily has been married to her wonderful husband, Stephen, for nine years. Together, they are active in their church and the West Long Beach community. Emily is a recent graduate of the Leadership Long Beach Institute (Class of 2022), and currently serves on the executive board of Long Beach Moms, a local nonprofit organization.
Joey King is a humanitarian and community leader with a passion for making a positive impact. Born in St. Thomas, USVI, and raised in Barbados, Joey moved to California in 1985 and joined the Navy as a Nuclear Engineer. After serving his country, he settled in the Long Beach area in 2000 and began raising his four children, two boys, and two girls, who are the center of his world.
In 2020, Joey began his non-profit work, which was fueled by the pandemic. He has since hosted a number of Digital inclusion events, Covid vaccine events, street safety events, Back to School Events, Holiday give away events, home ownership events, cash for college events, and more. Joey has become known as the “Food Mafia of Long Beach” for his exceptional efforts in providing food for over 3 million meals in 2022 alone. His dedication to serving his community has made him a beloved figure in Long Beach, and his work continues to make a significant impact on the lives of those around him.
Suny Lay Chang, President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Linc Housing, has more than 20 years of professional experience in affordable housing, community development, and strategic management. Her career has been driven by her passion for economic development and poverty alleviation, leading Suny to her work in affordable housing. Suny sees affordable housing as a powerful catalyst to build communities and neighborhoods, as well as a vehicle for economic growth for families and local economies.
As President & COO, Suny works with the CEO to lead key initiatives for the organization, including strategic planning, community partnerships, organizational growth, and internal initiatives. Other areas of focus include oversight of Linc’s finance, real estate development, fundraising, community and public relations, property development, risk management, and overall operations. Suny also supports Linc’s policy and advocacy efforts.
As President & COO, Suny works with the CEO to lead key initiatives for the organization, including strategic planning, community partnerships, organizational growth, and internal initiatives. Other areas of focus include oversight of Linc’s finance, real estate development, fundraising, community and public relations, property development, risk management, and overall operations. Suny also supports Linc’s policy and advocacy efforts.
Suny obtained her MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business and her bachelor’s degree in economics from Harvard University, where she wrote her thesis on measuring the effects of economic growth on poverty alleviation. She revisited Harvard to complete the Achieving Excellence program, a prestigious training program for community development leaders offered by NeighborWorks® America through the Kennedy School of Government. Suny’s current and prior leadership roles include serving on the boards of the Long Beach Economic Partnership, Long Beach Community Investment Commission, St. Mary Medical Center, Rotary Club, United Cambodian Community, and the Western Region Advisory Committee for the Low Income Investment Fund.
Suny and her husband enjoy hiking and photography, and opportunities to do both when traveling with their two children.
Vivian Shimoyama has directed initiatives for public, non-profit, and private sector organizations setting strategic vision, and managing organization growth which resulted in economic impact. She is a recognized expert on small businesses and has advocated for thousands of small business owners through local, state, national and international initiatives. Dedicated to growing small businesses she heads two ventures — Growth Small Business, LLC and is the Chief Operating Officer of Scale Smarter Partners, these firms accelerate business growth through guided tools that allow companies to thrive. She advises and advocates for small businesses in a range of industries with outcomes that lead to opening doors of opportunity for entrepreneurs, strategic positioning, and focus on building operations infrastructure necessary to support growth.
Most recently, Ms. Shimoyama was the Regional Executive Director of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses (10KSB) Initiative for Southern California. She built a regional team and worked with national organizations to create jobs and economic growth by providing entrepreneurs with a practical business and management education program, access to capital, and business advisory support services.
She is the Chair Emeritus of the Pacific Gateway Workforce Investment Board, National Association of Women Business Owners, and NAWBO Education Foundation, and advisor to the California Small Business Education Foundation, and University of Southern California Small Business Supplier Diversity Office.
As a national and international leader, she has served as an appointee to the National Women’s Business Council, an independent federal government advisory council that advises the President and U.S. Congress on issues important to women owned businesses. Ms. Shimoyama has served as an elected delegate to the White House Conference on Small Business; was a member of the U.S. delegation and facilitator for the landmark 10 Downing Street Economic Summit headed by the U.K. government; U.S. delegate to the Asia-Pacific (APEC) Women and the Economy Summit, bringing together private and public sector leaders for women’s economic empowerment.
Ms. Shimoyama has been honored by the National Association of Women Business Owners, and received the National Women In Business Advocate Award from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). In 2020, she was selected by the New York Museum of Arts and Design as one of 45 artists that have made significant developments in art jewelry since the mid- century: 45 Stories in Jewelry: 1946 to Now features pieces and jewelry artists in the past eighty years that have broadened the scope and reach of art as a wearable medium. Shimoyama Studio is located in downtown Long Beach where her fused glass artwork is displayed along with her creation The Glass Ceiling Pin that has received national recognition for breaking invisible barriers … glass ceilings.
Chief Coleman is currently a third-year law student at the University of Southern California, Gould School of Law and interning remotely with the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, & Urban Affairs. Prior to law school law school, Chief worked at a government affairs and public relations firm. He has also worked in the offices of Congressman Alan Lowenthal, Councilmember Rex Richardson, and City Prosecutor Doug Haubert.
Chief is a Long Beach native with a long history of community involvement in the City. In addition to his commitment with LBCEI, he serves as current Chair of the Long Beach City Prosecutor’s Multicultural Advisory Commission. He is also on the Subcommittee for Leadership Long Beach’s Youth Programming, a program he participated in 2013. Chief also served as the Youth Delegate for the City of Long Beach to the first National Forum on Youth Violence Prevention.
Chief obtained his undergraduate degree at Bucknell University, where he majored in philosophy and political science while playing on the varsity water polo team. He loves the outdoors and feels blessed to be able to support movements that benefit the people in the city he loves.
Dr. Juan M. Benitez is a father, educator, and community leader dedicated to Long Beach. He serves as the Executive Director for the Center for Community Engagement (CCE) and as an Associate Professor of History at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB).
With over 20 years of experience in higher education, Juan heads university-wide community engagement projects, programs, activities, and initiatives. He has helped raise close to $3 million in funding for projects in the region, working with over 100 nonprofit organizations and community groups as well as thousands of students and community members.
Through his work with the CCE, Juan helped to implement The California Endowment’s Building Healthy Communities initiative in Long Beach, a 10-year effort to improve neighborhood conditions that contribute to good health. Juan also worked with AmeriCorps and community groups to create a collaborative vision to address youth development, parent engagement, equity and opportunity gaps, and school discipline issues in Long Beach schools.
Juan is also the proud son of hard-working immigrants from Mexico who came to the United States to pursue a better life for their family and achieve the American Dream.
Juan was elected to the Long Beach Unified School District Board, Third District, in June 2018.
Sharon Jackson’s professional career includes 12 years with IBM where she served as an auditor and administrative branch manager. Her 20-year career with the City of Long Beach included serving as an Analyst in the Long Beach Police Department’s Narcotics and Crime Analysis Divisions and Coordinator of the Neighborhood Nuisance Abatement Program. For the final 10 years of her career she was the city’s Airport Public Affairs Officer.
Following her retirement in 2009, Sharon, and her husband David, began a journey to discover and connect with their family roots that landed them in Selma, AL, where they purchased and renovated a historic home in Downtown Selma. The home has been used as a center for racial healing and social action and a learning center for students studying the Civil War, the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Movement.
A student of history, Sharon is an trained genealogist and author of, Images of America:SELMA. Published in November 2014, the book has been very well received and is now in its second printing.
Currently, Sharon serves as the Program Officer for Elite Skills Development, a non-profit organization that provides services to create pathways to self-sustainability for at-risk and under-resourced youth and young adults.
Sharon is a member of the Long Beach City College Citizen Oversight Committee, a board member of the Long Beach African American Cultural Center, the Executive Committee of the Selma Annual Bridge Crossing Jubilee and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc-Long Beach Alumnae Chapter and The Links, Inc.
Carl Kemp is currently the Environmental Health Public Affairs Manager with Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and has more than 20 years of experience in communications and public affairs. Prior to joining Public Health, Carl managed his own government affairs and public relations practice with a wide range of clients from international shipping to major non-profits. He also created the Office of Government Affairs and Communication in the City of Long Beach, and went on to create the Office of Government Affairs and Community Relations at the Port of Long Beach.
Kemp has a long history of community involvement in the Long Beach area, including earning a B.A. and MPA from California State University, Long Beach, where he served two terms as student body present. He also has earned a certificate in Executive Leadership from the Harvard University School of Government. He has developed messaging around many major initiatives from local to federal government, including the Green Port Policy at the Port of Long Beach. Over the years, Carl has served on many boards and has been blessed to be involved in numerous initiatives to improve the community and contribute to the people within it.
Carl’s proudest accomplishment is being a father.
Eric Romero is an experienced economic development and local government professional. He manages a diverse portfolio of programs and projects that support small businesses, revitalize commercial corridors, advance economic opportunity, and improve quality of life. Eric has unique experience in business and community outreach, program design and management, public policy, and public-private partnerships. He currently has the honor of managing the City of Long Beach Economic Development Department, Business Development Bureau.
Eric has a Master’s Degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs and a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from California State University, Long Beach.
In his spare time, Eric enjoys spending time with his wife and two kids, reading, listening to music, and spending time outdoors.
A native Angeleno, Tunua Thrash-Ntuk is the Executive Director of Los Angeles Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LA LISC). She is a seasoned community and economic development practitioner of more than 15-years with both non-profit and private sector experiences. Her strengths range from community advocacy to asset and real estate development around neighborhood revitalization. She has already led a number of important urban initiatives in Los Angeles focused on affordable housing and commercial development as well as transit-oriented projects. Prior to joining LISC, Tunua served as Executive Director of West Angeles Community Development Corporation, during her tenure she was responsible for the asset management and oversight of the WACDC real estate portfolio valued at $150 million. Tunua led the growth of WACDC’s real estate portfolio, in part by brokering a breakthrough in the development, construction and opening of West Angeles Plaza, a 24,000 square foot commercial office project.
Tunua was named LA’s 2021 Impact Makers to Watch by Stratiscope and received the Wells Fargo Diversity, Inclusion and Equity Award by Los Angeles Business Journal. She serves as a board member or advisory board member to many entities, including Federal Home Loan Bank San Francisco’s Affordable Housing Council, Housing California, City of LA Measure HHH Citizens Oversight Commission, Southern California Edison’s Consumer Advisory Panel, Greenlining Institute, Union Bank’s Community Advisory Board, Frontier Communications Community Advisory Board and the Los Angeles Development Fund, which is the City of Los Angeles’ New Market Tax Credit implementation group. Tunua is a graduate of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) where she earned her Master’s in City Planning as well as an alumna of UC Berkeley where she received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies.
Wayne Chaney personifies the contemporary spiritual leader. He uniquely bridges people from different generations, cultures, and demographics through his relevant teaching and architecture of spirited worship atmospheres. His rich family heritage of clergyman fuels his genuine love for people. He stewards a five-decade legacy left by his grandfather, Joe Chaney, Jr. as he pastors Antioch Church of Long Beach. Wayne’s determination to shift culture is permeated throughout his ministry expression, oratory and brand tentacles.
Wayne has never been satisfied with status quo so whether it is a national television show, radio show, church congregation, regional festival, or by feeding thousands of people every month, he is destined to make a difference. Chaney is the visionary of the Long Beach Gospel Fest, the city’s premier gospel event held on the beautiful shores of downtown Long Beach. This yearly gathering brings politicians, business owners, gospel singers, and over 25,000 people together for inspiration, worship and music. “Beyond the gospel music, we are witnessing the addition of something new and wonderful to Long Beach,” he said to the Los Angeles Times.
He is strongly engaged civically as the former President of the California National African American Network, SBC, Board Member of the National African American Network, and on the Executive Board of the California Southern Baptist Convention. Pastor Chaney serves on the Executive Board of Global Tribe International, whose mission is to rescue those in physical and spiritual poverty, reach communities with the gospel and recruit and empower young leaders. He is also the president emeritus of the Long Beach Ministers Alliance.
Pastor Chaney has added published author to his expanding repertoire as his novel Your Miraculous Potential: Maximizing God’s Creativity, Power and Direction is now available at retailers everywhere.
Darick J. Simpson, currently serves as the president and CEO of the Earl B. and Loraine H. Miller Foundation — one of the largest philanthropic foundations in the city. He formerly served as the executive director of Long Beach Community Action Partnership.
Simpson, who holds a bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of Alabama and a master’s in organizational management from the University of Phoenix, led LBCAP for the last 13 years. The nonprofit assists youth and families to reach self-sustainability.
Under Simpson’s direction, LBCAP became Long Beach’s public access television broadcast outlet and started a training program for youth in the performing arts and broadcast journalism. He grew LBCAP from a staff of 24 with a $1.3 million budget to an agency with a $10 million budget and 80 staff members.
A resident of Long Beach, Darick is a recognized leader in the community. Additionally, Mr. Simpson has served on various national, state, and regional boards including the PBS SoCal Advisory Board and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) Commission.
Antioch Church | Carl Kemp
Antioch LB | Wayne Chaney, Jr.
City of Long Beach, Economic Development | John Keisler
City of Long Beach, Economic Development | Rebecca Kauma
City of Long Beach, Health Dept. | Katie Balderas
City of Long Beach, Health Dept. | Kelly Colopy
Council District 9 | Rex Richardson
Council District 9, City of Long Beach | Alanah Grant
CSULB | Juan Benitez
CSULB Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship | Wade Martin
Elite Skills Development | Sharon Diggs-Jackson
Growth Small Business, LLC | Vivian Shimoyama
Habitat for Humanity | Dinesa Thomas-Whitman
LA County | Herlinda Chico
LA LISC | Tunua Thrash-NtukLandspire Group | Treana Allen
LB Economic Development Commission | Jessica Schumer
LB Forward | Petit Christine
LB Opera | Derrell Acon
LBCAP | Darick Simpson
LBCAP | Marisa Semense
LBUSD | Kim Johnson
LINC Housing | Suny Lay Chang
Our Essence Beauty Supply | Deidre Norville
Pacific6 | Brandon Dowling
PGWIN | Nick Schultz
PGWIN Board | Weston LaBar
POLB | Bonnie Lowenthal
Pride Real Estate Professional Association | Jacqueline Case
PV Jobs | Erik Miller
Ronnie’s House | Shirin Senegal
SHS Connections | Shawna Stevens
SoCal Grantmakers | Seyron Foo
United Cambodian Community, Midtown BID | Susana Sngiem,
Uptown BID | Doris Felix
Uptown BID | Joni Ricks-Odie
Uptown BID | Tom Carpenter
Urban Agriculture Council | Rod Dodd
USC Small Business Diversity Office | Rhonda Thornton
Villages at Cabrillo | Rene Castro
Wells Fargo | Linda Nguyen
Facilitators:
Elite Skills Development | Sharon Diggs-Jackson
Office of Councilmember Rex Richardson | Alanah Grant
