Eastmont Community Center participated in the 2024 National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders (NALCAB) Conference in Washington, D.C., themed “Our Voice, Our Strength.”
This annual conference offered a platform for Eastmont to deepen its understanding of key issues such as small business growth, financial capability, and equitable neighborhood development—areas vital to its work in East Los Angeles.
The conference brought together policymakers, federal agencies, funders, and Latino leaders for three days of training, collaboration, and advocacy. The event focused on promoting Latino economic mobility and racial equity, with sessions on small business growth, financial inclusion, and the impact of Latinos on the national economy.
Eastmont has benefited from NALCAB funding and technical assistance, and this conference was a crucial opportunity to learn from national peers, discuss challenges, and share best practices. Key highlights of the event included:
Julissa Arce’s powerful keynote, where she shared her journey as an undocumented individual and emphasized the importance of storytelling in empowering communities.
Discussions on the significance of recognizing and addressing trauma when working with clients, ensuring sensitive and effective support for vulnerable populations.
Insights into how technology can be leveraged to aid small businesses, shifting the narrative to view digital tools as assets that can drive growth.
A clearer understanding of how Eastmont’s services can be better integrated to create a seamless experience for clients, allowing them to more easily access the full range of support the center provides.
ITIN lending best practices shared by CDFIs, highlighting that ITIN borrowers often have higher payback rates than non-ITIN borrowers, a significant insight for Eastmont’s financial inclusion efforts.
Sylvie Gallier Howard from Equitable Cities Consulting and Milton Goodman from the APEX Program broke down key strategies for engaging in government contracting, offering useful tips for businesses looking to secure government contracts.
Linda Garcia, founder of "In Luz We Trust," delivered an engaging presentation on the importance of investing in the stock market. She encouraged small business owners to use their LLCs or corporations to enter the market and grow their financial resources.
Eastmont also connected with past Pete Garcia Fellows during the Fellowship Power Hour, seeing firsthand how the fellowship has positively impacted participants over time. These networking opportunities further cemented Eastmont’s role in national discussions about Latino community asset building.
The conference provided a wealth of knowledge, allowing Eastmont to return to East LA with new tools and strategies to continue supporting its community in areas like economic development, digital literacy, and financial empowerment. This year’s NALCAB Conference proved vital in helping Eastmont expand its vision for serving East Los Angeles and fostering equitable economic growth.