Fostering Black Prosperity: A Q&A with Destination Crenshaw and Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce June 19, 2024 In honor of Juneteenth, we are excited to spotlight two leaders from some of the Black-led and -serving organizations with which we are grateful to partner. We spoke to Jason Foster, President and COO of Destination Crenshaw, and Dr. Cassandra Little Ph.D., Executive Director and CEO of the Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce, about … Continue reading Fostering Black Prosperity: A Q&A with Destination Crenshaw and Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce
How Asian American Futures, AAPI FORCE-EF, and VietRISE are using narrative change to drive civic engagement May 13, 2024 Shruti Garg, Irvine Program Officer In honor of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI) Heritage Month, I’m thrilled to share perspectives from some of our AANPHI-led and -serving partners, who are working tirelessly to address their community’s unique needs, build civic and community power, and strive for racial equity for all communities. As … Continue reading How Asian American Futures, AAPI FORCE-EF, and VietRISE are using narrative change to drive civic engagement
California in an Election Year: Irvine Partners Reflect on Voter and Civic Engagement May 6, 2024 “So much is at stake.” That’s how Sabrina Smith describes the importance of the 2024 elections for working Californians, young people, and communities of color. As CEO of California Calls, Smith and her team partner with 30+ grassroots organizations across the state to mobilize people to participate in the democratic process. The stakes are high … Continue reading California in an Election Year: Irvine Partners Reflect on Voter and Civic Engagement
Partnership with Chronicle of Philanthropy showcases grantee solutions and perspectives April 1, 2024 The Irvine Foundation is honored to showcase grantees from across our initiatives about their solutions for protecting, advancing, and honoring workers. Our recent partnership with The Chronicle of Philanthropy features 10 grantee-authored articles about improving workplace conditions, connecting Californians to good jobs with family sustaining wages and advancement opportunities, and building power for workers and … Continue reading Partnership with Chronicle of Philanthropy showcases grantee solutions and perspectives
Building Inclusive Economies with Immigrant Communities: A Conversation with Ventures’ Maria Cadenas March 14, 2024 The Priority Communities initiative held a learning summit in Los Angeles for leaders from Fresno, Salinas, Stockton, Riverside, and San Bernardino. We spoke to select leaders in attendance to hear their perspectives on their communities and their insights on what it takes to build inclusive economies. The first piece in this series of blog posts features … Continue reading Building Inclusive Economies with Immigrant Communities: A Conversation with Ventures’ Maria Cadenas
Organizing for immigrant justice: A Q&A with ÓRALE’s Gaby Hernandez March 14, 2024 To celebrate Women’s History Month, we are highlighting one of the women-led organizations that we have the privilege of supporting: ÓRALE, a grantee-partner of Irvine's Better Careers initiative. We spoke to Gaby Hernandez, Executive Director of ÓRALE, about her leadership, the different programs the organization offers, and what gives her hope. The views and … Continue reading Organizing for immigrant justice: A Q&A with ÓRALE’s Gaby Hernandez
Advancing Economic Justice for Black Communities with Monterey County Black Caucus February 26, 2024 In honor of Black History and Futures Month, we are excited to spotlight the valuable work of Monterey County Black Caucus (MCBC), a grantee-partner of Irvine’s Priority Communities initiative. We spoke to Rosalyn Green, MCBC’s Black Power-Building and Justice Reinvestment Director, about the organization’s mission, the community priorities identified through their listening sessions, the importance … Continue reading Advancing Economic Justice for Black Communities with Monterey County Black Caucus
Wage Theft Stories: Worker Perspectives November 16, 2023 Over the course of two years, journalist Sarah Jackson interviewed California workers, worker center staff, scholars, and policy leaders about wage theft — an issue that impacts thousands of working people in the state. In this article and the videos below, funded by The James Irvine Foundation, we hear directly from workers whose paychecks were … Continue reading Wage Theft Stories: Worker Perspectives
Supporting Economic Opportunity through Apprenticeships: A Q&A with SEMI Foundation November 14, 2023 Briefly tell use about SEMI Foundation. What does your organization do? The SEMI Foundation is the 501(c)(3) arm of SEMI, the global industry association representing the microelectronics manufacturing and design supply chain. We have more than 3,000 members worldwide. The Foundation operates more than a dozen workforce development initiatives as part of a holistic approach … Continue reading Supporting Economic Opportunity through Apprenticeships: A Q&A with SEMI Foundation
Standing Up for Retail Workers: A Conversation with LAANE November 7, 2023 In this post, leaders from the worker rights movement share insights from their efforts to advance rights and protections for California's workers. Read more conversations with leaders here. Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy (LAANE) has a 30-year history of advocacy and organizing focused on improving the lives of working families in Los Angeles … Continue reading Standing Up for Retail Workers: A Conversation with LAANE