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THANK YOU FOR BEING PART OF PACIFIC COMMUNITY VENTURES’ 25TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION ON NOVEMBER 11, 2023
It was an unforgettable evening filled with delightful cuisine, refreshing drinks, captivating entertainment, and inspiring stories—all sourced from our dedicated community partners and entrepreneur clients in Oakland.
We invite you to relive these wonderful moments by browsing through a gallery of photos and videos from the event. If you’re inspired by the stories of our community and wish to contribute to our mission, you’ll find information on how to donate below. Let’s continue to foster a vibrant, supportive community together.
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR ESTEEMED GUEST SPEAKERS
Bulbul Gupta
CEO & President of Pacific Community Ventures – Host
Trevor Parham
Dilawar Syed
Deputy Administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration – Keynote Speaker
Keba Konte
Founder of Red Bay Coffee – Keynote Speaker
Don Howard
President & CEO of The James Irvine Foundation – Keynote Speaker
Carolyn Johnson
CEO of Black Cultural Zone – Community Partner Speaker
Thank you to all of our dedicated community partners and entrepreneur clients in Oakland for an unforgettable evening filled with delightful cuisine, refreshing drinks, captivating entertainment!
Reem Assil, a Palestinian-Syrian chef and activist based in Oakland, CA, is the founder of Reem’s California, a nationally-acclaimed Arab bakery and restaurant. She has received top culinary honors, including being a James Beard finalist for Outstanding Chef (2022) and a back-to-back semifinalist for Best Chef: West (2018-19). Prior to her culinary career, Reem spent over a decade as a community and labor organizer, advocating for worker and neighborhood rights. She is also the author of the New York Times-reviewed cookbook “Arabiyya: Recipes from the Life of an Arab in Diaspora” (2022).
The Oakland Fortune Factory, a family-owned business in Oakland, California, has been crafting delicious fortune cookies since 1957. Alicia Wong, the third-generation owner, co-owns the factory with her mother, Jiamin, and manages it with her husband, Alex Issvoran, taking the helm in 2016. They are among the last in the United States to handcraft these cookies, a testament to their commitment to quality. What makes The Oakland Fortune Factory unique is Alicia’s creative flair. She has elevated the classic fortune cookie experience with Belgian and Swiss chocolate dips, unique flavors like Schezuan peppercorn, and a wide array of colors, all in response to customer desires.
Ariana, with a BA in Studio Art and an MA in Stained Glass Conservation, initially pursued a career in the museum field, working at institutions like The V&A Museum in London, The J. Paul Getty Museum, and The Met in New York. However, her career shifted due to the Eurocentric focus in these museums. In response, she founded her company, Nzilani Glass Conservation, in 2003. Since then, Nzilani has become the industry standard for health and safety in museum-quality work. They prioritize education and community service by offering paid internships in larger studio projects for underserved youth.
Javi Sandes, a multi-talented chef, found his culinary calling after moving to the United States from Buenos Aires two decades ago. Following a career-ending soccer injury, he turned to the kitchen, crafting delightful dishes for loved ones. In 2009, he co-founded Primo’s Parrilla, a mobile food business specializing in authentic Argentine grilled meats. Despite launching during a recession, Primo’s Parrilla, one of the few food trucks in Emeryville at the time, gained traction in the growing food truck movement. Over time, Javi expanded his culinary ventures, ultimately launching Javi’s Cooking in August 2011.
Cupcakin’ Bake Shop is the dream come true for owner Lila Owens. After a 15-year career in residential real estate, she began a home-based cupcake catering business in 2007. Her ultimate aspiration was to open a physical shop to share her baking passion with a broader audience. With support from key individuals in her life, Cupcakin’ Bake Shop became a reality when the Berkeley, CA location opened in 2014. Today, it has expanded to four popular locations, with two in Berkeley and one each in Oakland and Walnut Creek. Lila is thrilled to continue serving the East Bay community that has embraced her from day one!
Alicia Kidd established Coco Noir Wine Shop and Bar, Oakland’s first black women-owned wine shop. In 2017, she launched The Wine Noire LLC, an online platform supporting women, BIPOC, and People of Color winemakers. Their multi-licensed wine brokerage offers services like wholesaling and distribution. By December 2022, Coco Noir Wine Shop and Bar opened as a top wine bar/tasting room in the Bay Area, featuring wines from up to 75 winemakers and products from BIPOC, People of Color, and Women-owned businesses. Alicia’s journey garnered accolades, including the Start-Up Business Award from the Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce (2020), and features in Wine Spectator Magazine (2020) and Somm Journal Magazine (2021).
GRATITUDE & THANKS
Celebrating Our Sponsors’ Generous Contributions to Our Event!
REIMAGINING CAPITAL FOR ECONOMIC JUSTICE
INVESTING IN SMALL BUSINESS, BIG IDEAS, & GOOD JOBS FOR ENTREPRENEURS AND THEIR WORKERS
We celebrate our 25th anniversary and invite you to join us in our mission to close the racial wealth gap. As a Civil Rights organization, we work side-by-side with small business owners and communities in the fight for economic, racial, and gender justice. Our integrated model of impact-first Restorative Capital and Pro Bono Business Advising, supported by our Good Jobs Innovation Lab, drives healthy equitable job growth that propels thriving communities.
We are fully embracing our founding principles of impact-first investing to REIMAGINE, DEMOCRATIZE, and RESTORE access to fair and affordable capital and mentorship for the communities we serve.
INVESTING IN COMMUNITIES
Businesses nationwide gained access to capital and expert advising
In loans funded in 2022
INVESTING IN RACIAL & GENDER EQUITY
In 2022, 92% of our capital went to BIPOC entrepreneurs or women
In 2022, 98% of our small business owners identified as BIPOC entrepreneurs or women
INVESTING IN GOOD JOBS
Average full-time and part-time hourly wages among PCV investees
Of PCV small businesses provided at least 2 Good Jobs Dimensions in 2022.
REIMAGINE • DEMOCRATIZE • RESTORE
Two aspects make impact investing different from traditional investing:
1. Intent – Design your investment to impact the social or environmental problem you’re looking to solve; and
2. Measurement – Make certain your investment accomplishes that goal over time.
PCV embraces these principles to reimagine, democratize, and restore access to fair and affordable capital and mentorship.
With our lending across California and our nationwide Business Advising Program, PCV was able to reach 2,460 small business entrepreneurs with capital and /or advice – largely through those closest to their communities – our local community and CDFI partners:
In this Photo: Bulbul Gupta, President & CEO | Pacific Community Ventures
ALIGNED IN MISSION
In this Photo: Dilawar Syed, SBA Deputy Administrator
DILAWAR SYED
Dilawar Syed comes to SBA from the State Department where he championed American businesses as Special Representative for Commercial & Business Affairs. As the State Department’s top commercial diplomat, Deputy Administrator Syed advocated for U.S. companies to compete and win abroad and helped ensure U.S. competitiveness in markets across the globe. In this role, he mobilized the private sector to support the people of Ukraine in the wake of Russia’s invasion and advocated for commercial deals in strategic sectors such as aviation and defense, energy, and technology,
Before joining the Biden Administration, Syed was CEO at Lumiata, an AI healthcare company focused on reducing healthcare costs and improving patient outcomes. Previously, Syed was President at the software company Freshworks. Earlier in his career, Syed oversaw business operations for Yahoo!’s platforms and infrastructure and was a product manager at Siebel Systems and SAP.
Dilawar Syed has driven civic efforts at the federal, state, and local level focusing on economic growth and entrepreneurship. As the founding Chair of the California Entrepreneurship Task Force with the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, Syed promoted inclusive entrepreneurship. He served on President Obama’s White House Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) and chaired the White House Initiative on AAPIs’ Economic Growth Committee. In that role, Syed led the administration’s engagement with small businesses across the U.S. after the passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. In 2020, Syed was tapped by San Jose, Calif. Mayor Sam Liccardo to help lead Silicon Valley’s pandemic economic recovery as a member of the Silicon Valley Recovery Roundtable.
Syed holds an M.B.A. from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and earned a B.A. in Economics and Computer Science from The University of Texas at Austin.
In this Photo: Trevor Parham, Founder of Oaskstop
TREVOR PARHAM
Trevor Parham, a visionary and leader, has built Oakstop—a social enterprise in Oakland, California—that serves as a coworking space and a hub for Black economic empowerment, community wellness, and youth development. As a PCV Good Jobs Entrepreneur Fellow, Trevor shares his expertise to uplift small businesses and promote good job creation.
Inspired by his background as a fine artist and the artistic community in Oakland, Trevor created Oakstop to provide a thriving space for artists amid rising rents. The organization goes beyond coworking and employs an entirely Black staff, many of whom are at risk of displacement. Trevor’s commitment to the community led to the launch of Oakstop Alliance, a nonprofit subsidiary focused on economic empowerment, culture, wellness, and youth development.
Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, Trevor remained committed to his vision and kept Oakstop open. And as the shift to remote working left commercial spaces empty, he seized the opportunity to expand his business and make an even greater impact on the community. Thanks to the two loans Trevor received from PCV – one in 2021 and another in 2022- -and support from pro bono business advisors like Caroline Pao from The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, Trevor was able to manage the operations and expansion of his business, hire additional staff, and upgrade technology and equipment to ensure the safety and wellbeing of his employees. Oakstop now has six locations and a team of 25 employees.
In addition to Oakstop, Trevor co-founded the Oakland Black Business Fund, providing resources and support to Black businesses during the pandemic. He played a crucial role in launching the Oakland Restorative Loan Fund, ensuring capital reached entrepreneurs of color at risk of gentrification. Trevor’s story showcases resilience, innovation, and a commitment to community. Oakstop is not just a coworking space—it’s a model for businesses that prioritize community needs and work towards a better future. Trevor’s dedication to uplifting artists and empowering the community has made a lasting impact in Oakland.
DONATE NOW!
THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIP
Keba Konte is the owner of Red Bay Coffee. PCV loaned Keba funds to get roasting equipment and a space early in his business. With the help of PCV’s capital, Kebaa has grown Red Bay to 5 locations awith over 30 commercial partners — and has gone on to raise additional investment capital.
In this Photo: Keba Konte, Red Bay Coffee
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESSES
Help shape the next 25 years of Pacific Community Ventures’ (PCV) impact by contributing to our mission. Your donation is more than just financial support; it’s a vital lifeline for entrepreneurs overcoming barriers to capital. It enables us to offer affordable, flexible small business loans, fostering growth and resilience.
Beyond loans, your contribution bolsters our pro bono business advising program and our research into creating quality jobs. Together, we can empower underestimated entrepreneurs, aiding them in wealth-building and job creation.
Ready to make a difference? Click below to donate and join us in driving meaningful change!
If you would like to support PCV through your Donor-Advised Fund, here is PCV’s key information:
Organization Name: Pacific Community Ventures
Tax ID: 77-0485877
Contact Person: Anna Canero, grants@pcvmail.org
Mailing Address: 1714 Franklin Street, Suite 100 #347 Oakland, CA 94612
(If you would prefer to send donations by electronic transfer, please contact grants@pcvmail.org.)
SUPPORT OUR NEW STRATEGY
Our new strategy, PCV is embedding intent and measurement even more deeply into the design and delivery of all our products and services, towards racial wealth building and equitable outcomes. We are fully embracing our founding principles of impact-first investing to REIMAGINE, DEMOCRATIZE, RESTORE access to fair and affordable capital and mentorship for the communities we serve.
SUPPORT OUR THEORY OF CHANGE
OUR MISSION
Pacific Community Ventures is an impact investor that supports small business owners and their communities in the fight for economic, racial, and gender justice. We work side-by-side with growing small business leaders and solopreneurs through our integrated model: combining impact-first Restorative Capital and Pro Bono Business Advising with our Good Jobs Innovation Lab that propels thriving communities with equitable jobs.
DONATE NOW!
PERSONAL NOTE FROM CEO
We are thrilled to commemorate this significant milestone with our community of supporters, partners, and small businesses.
For the past 25 years, we have been dedicated to supporting small businesses and their growth journeys. Our focus on creating equitable good jobs has been at the forefront of everything we do.
President & CEO | Pacific Community Ventures
EVENTS
PCV 25th Anniversary Kick-off Event
August 26, 2023
PCV 25th Anniversary Celebration Oakland
November 11, 2023
WEBINARS
LESSONS FROM THE LAB: IMPACT UNDERWRITING
March 7, 2023
CLIMATE JUSTICE MOBILIZATION THROUGH GOOD & GREEN JOBS
May 24, 2023
CONFERENCES
OFN Connect + Forum
Closing Plenary: Operationalizing Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility into CDFI Lending Practices
March 21,2 2023
4:30-5:00 PM ET
Just Economy Conference
Beyond Commitments: Measuring the Impact of Investments on Black Community Wealth-Building.
March 29, 2023
1:45– 3:00 PM ET
Clinton Global Initiative Meeting 2023
September 18-20, 2023
2023 OFN CONFERENCE
October 15-18, 2023
SOCAP23
October 23-25, 2023
ARTICLES
INVESTING IN SMALL BUSINESSES
If you’re interested in supporting PCV’s mission in a different way,
there are several options available:
• Sponsor PCV’s 25th Anniversary and host an event with us and our entrepreneurs in your area!
• Invest in PCV’s Restorative Capital Fund and Entrepreneurs
• Support our Good Jobs Fellows and research
• Volunteer your time as a Small Business Advisor
