#NAWBO CALIFORNIA NEWS
President's Message
As we close the history books for our Annual Propel Conference, “Driving Change Through Diversity” and our 2nd Virtual Conference, let us be reminded that the work we
do today is building a better tomorrow.

I, along with board of directors would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all of the sponsors for their continued support. It is because of your help and support, the event
turned in to huge success. The conference provided women with knowledge to drive change, educational resources and networking opportunities to propel their businesses to the next level. We are certain the event could not have been possible and such a success without your humble, kind and generous support.

Our incredible speakers were women who are truly driving change through diversity.
Jennifer King the first black woman to coach in the NFL for the Washington Football
team and of course our very own, Dr. Shirley Nash Weber, the first black woman to be
the Secretary of State for California.

Our title sponsor Bank of America prepared us prior to the conference with information
that will help us grow our businesses. We had an opportunity to hear from their
Ambassadors who are present in our chapters regarding tools they provide to women
business owners. They also helped us by changing the narrative on how we think about
some things. We need to “Reimagine Our Business Journey and be able to Embrace
Bold New Ideas.”

We learned what happens “When Resiliency Breaks” and how it impacts us differently
as women and women of color. We continued “The Greatness of Diversity
Conversation,” from ageism to racism and how important it is to give each other grace
and not judge one another based on age, race, color, nationality or gender. The
NAWBO Men came in full force. They discussed, “Inclusivity as a Process and a
Commitment.”

Our sessions equipped women to explore opportunities with SoCalGas, Metropolitan
Water District and Comcast. Union Bank helped us to understand, “How to turn
Conversation into Cash” and Morgan Stanley educated us about “Investing with
Impact.”

SoCalGas enlightened us on Dr. Weber’s new role as Secretary of State. As only Dr.
Weber can do, she provided us wisdom, “misinformation is the enemy of democracy.”
SoCalGas brought clarity as to “Why Proposition 16 failed.” The opportunities that women and especially women of color are losing out on as result of the loss of procurement opportunities is in excess of 90 million dollars annually.

PG&E provided insight as to “How Workplace Safety has Change as a Result of Working
Remotely.” Dell our newest sponsor helped us by sharing, “How Navigating
Entrepreneurship Amid COVID -19.” Now that’s Against All Odds.

We listened and took copious notes as our NAWBO Sisters shared their journey as alumni from Goldman Sachs, 10,000 Small Business.

SCE shared powerful women who are driving change through diversity daily. Beginning with the “State of the Union” to “Building a Foundation” and “Driving Change through Public Policy.”

We tackled issues from small business, diversity, women on corporate boards and access to capital with Senator Connie Leyva, Former Senator Hannah Beth Jackson and Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes.

Finally, we learn what it takes to run for office and become the Mayor as the first woman in over 18 years and the first black woman because it is your passion to drive change. Mayor Letitia Clark shared her journey with us.
We popped opened our SHE CAN and celebrated our Woman Business Owner of the Year nominees and awarded that honor to Hilda Kennedy, President of AmPac Business Capital and bridge board member for San Francisco Bay Area.

Yes, change is difficult but inevitable. We have to continue to be change makers because change is going to happen. No longer will we continue to do business as we have. COVID -19 taught us that valuable lesson. We do better when we do it together. If you want to grow, you must be willing to change. We must continue to Drive Change even through Diversity
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute to the generations of Asian and Pacific Islanders who have enriched America's history and are instrumental in its future success. 
May is also Mental Health Awareness Month. Together, we can realize a nation where anyone affected by mental illness can get the appropriate support and quality of care to live healthy, fulfilling lives — a nation where no one feels alone in their struggle.
Women in the Spotlight - A Celebration of Change Makers
Tina Tchen serves as President and CEO of TIME’S UP Now and the TIME’S UP Foundation, overseeing the organizations’ strategic plans to change culture, companies, and laws in order to make work safe, fair, and dignified for women of all kinds. In 2017, Tina co-founded the TIME’S UP Legal Defense Fund with Robbie Kaplan, Fatima Goss Graves, and Hilary Rosen; since then, the Fund has connected thousands of people to legal or PR support for sexual harassment across dozens of different industries.
A former assistant to President Barack Obama, executive director of the White House Council on Women and Girls, and Chief of Staff to First Lady Michelle Obama, Tina has worked to advance gender equality, particularly for working women. At the White House, Tina spearheaded the first-ever White House Summit on Working Families and helped form the White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault.


Gwendolyn Brooks becomes the first African American woman to receive the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry, named Library of Congress’s Consultant in Poetry (later called Poet Laureate) in 1985

Yuri Kochiyama, civil rights and political activist, influenced by her Japanese American family’s internment and her association with Malcolm X, she advocated for many causes, including Black separatism, the anti-war movement, Maoist revolution, reparations for Japanese American internees, and the rights of people imprisoned by the U.S. government.
Patricia Harris, lawyer and ambassador, first African American woman to hold a Cabinet position, Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare (1979-83), serve as an Ambassador (Luxembourg, 1965), and head a law school (Howard University, 1969).
Ellen Ochoa, engineer, former astronaut and the current Director of the Johnson Space Center, the first Hispanic woman in the world to go to space when she served aboard the shuttle Discovery.
2021 Upcoming events
May 13 - All Chapter Mixer sponsored by Dell Technologies

 
National Events:
 
June 7 and 8 - Virtual Advocacy Days

October 17th-19th – National Women's Business Conference – New Orleans

Diversity Matters:  Diversity is an ABSOLUTE ASSET
Remember the work you do today, builds a better tomorrow. Vikita Poindexter

Blessings,

Vikita Poindexter, SPHR-CA, SHRM-SCP, SHRM-CP
CA Insurance License #0K21140
Poindexter Consulting Group, LLC.  
2020 Enterprising Women of the Year Award Winner
2020 Women of Influence Awards Nominee, San Diego Woman’s Advocate Award
2019 Spirit of the Entrepreneur Award Winner
2019 Spirit of the Entrepreneur Finalist
Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce
2008 and 2009 Citizen of the Year Nominee
2008 and 2009 Sterling Business of the Year Nominee
951.926.9069 OFFICE  
866.608.5556 TOLL FREE
951.346.3581 FAX 
 
Schedule your consultation at: https://poindexterconsulting.youcanbook.me
 
President, NAWBO-CA
National Association of Women Business Owners, State of California

Executive Council Member
AARP California

Appointed Diversity Task Force Member
California Department of Insurance
Insurance Diversity Initiative (IDI)

Committee Member
Labor and Employment Issues/Workforce Skills and Education/Workers Compensation
California Small Business Association

Co-Chair Ambassador Committee
BizFed Los Angeles County Business Federation
A Message from the President of the NAWBO-CA Education Fund
Is your NAWBO Chapter looking for new sponsors? It’s a loaded question, I know. The great news is I have a new avenue for you to consider.

As president of the NAWBO-CA Education Fund, our BOD and I want to encourage you to think beyond your current sponsors and even the relationships you have within each sponsor company. 

Your Corporate sponsors graciously support your chapter 501(c )(6) through their marketing and business advocacy budgets. Some of these same sponsors who already know and love you, may also have foundation budgets. The foundation budgets can sponsor a 501 (c )(3). They don’t regularly associate that with NAWBO.

That’s where our Ed Fund comes in. We are a 501(c )(3) charitable organization formed in 2010 to expand educational opportunities for emerging and established women entrepreneurs. The Ed Fund can help any of our chapters, even if you already have a 501 (c )(3) that operates parallel to your NAWBO chapter BOD. 

Our programs are strictly educational in nature – think leadership, governance, organizational growth, anything non-advocacy. Our largest current program is Pathways to Corporate Boards sponsored by Southern California Edison.

Imagine a grant to the Ed Fund, then funneled through us to your chapter for a small fee, that will cover a leadership development day, a business-building workshop, a BOD governance seminar. These are all examples of how a sponsor’s foundation grant can be used for the women business owners in your area.

I hope your wheels are spinning now. We have a flyer with additional information here. If you are interested in learning more, please connect with me or Andrea at NAWBO-CA. Thank you!

Mindy Bortness
Founder, Communication Works, Inc.
President, NAWBO CA Education Fund
Reminder
We have a lot to share with you! You may see the message to the right when you reach the bottom of the newsletter; please click "view entire message" to read on!

Key Bills of Interest Introduced So Far

News from the Governor's Office and GO-BIZ

NAWBO-CA's Art of Advocacy is Underway

Now that the April 29th deadline for all bills to be heard in their first policy committee hearings have passed, we have a better idea of which measures will have the greatest chance of moving to the Assembly or Senate Floor. 

If any of the legislation moving forward has a price tag of more than $50,000 in implantation costs to the state, the bill will be referred to the Appropriations Committee in the Senate and in the Assembly. Bills that do not have any operational costs to the state will go straight to the Senate or Assembly Floor.

Several bills of interest to NAWBO-CA are noted here. These bills would benefit women-owned businesses and are issues of priority to NAWBO-CA for the 2021-22 legislative cycle. NAWBO-CA is on record supporting the bills listed. Please find a list of all tracked bills here.
News From the Governor and GO-Biz

The Governor recently announced that COVID-19 updates and resources can be found at the one-stop website: covid19.ca.gov. Please also visit GO-Biz's COVID-19 resource website.
Governor Newsom Signs AB 80 Providing $6.2 Billion
in State Tax Cuts for California businesses
 
Governor Newsom signed legislation that will give small businesses hit hardest by the pandemic a $6.2 billion tax cut over the next 6 years – a critical lifeline that will help to get small businesses back on their feet. This is very important to California’s economic recovery strategy.
 
AB 80, authored by Assemblymember Autumn Burke, would forgive PPP loans that businesses received from the federal government during the pandemic and thereby would not be counted as taxable income. Businesses can also deduct the costs of expenses that those loans paid for. This is additional state tax relief for the small businesses that have been struggling most, and may very well make a difference in their choosing to reopen, stay open, or shut down.

GO-Biz Director Dee Dee Myers joined the Governor in Los Angeles, CA, where they visited small businesses supported by federal Paycheck Protection Program loans. Read more here.

Recent Action by Governor Newsom
On April 27, Governor Newsom released a statement on CDC outdoor Mask Guidance. Read more here.

On April 26. Governor Newsom released a statement on U.S. EPA's move to restore California's Clean Car Wavier. Read more here.
Tara Lynn Gray sworn in as Director of California's Office of the Small
Business Advocate
Tara Lynn Gray was virtually sworn in as the new Director of OSBA on Monday, April 26, 2021 by GO-Biz Director Dee Dee Myers.

“Small businesses are our economy’s life blood and support for millions of households in our state. They put their entire lives on the line everyday in pursuit of their dreams and meaningful way of life for themselves and their families. My team and I will do everything we can to bring our state economy roaring back,” – Tara Lynn Gray.
Now accepting applications for Round 6 of the California
Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program
This final round is open from April 28 – May 4

Apply now on CAReliefGrant.com. Waitlisted applicants from Rounds 1, 2, 3, or 5 do not need to reapply and are rolled over to Round 6 for consideration. Notifications will begin Friday, May 7. 

U.S. Small Business Administration Isabella Guzman Announces Application Opening for $28.6 Billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund
U.S. SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman announced that registrations for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund will open on Friday, April 30, 2021, at 9 a.m. EDT and applications will open on Monday, May 3, 2021. The online application will remain open to any eligible establishment until all funds are exhausted.

Established under the American Rescue Plan, and signed into law by President Joe Biden on March 11, 2021, the Restaurant Revitalization Fund provides a total of $28.6 billion in direct relief funds to restaurants and other hard-hit food establishments that have experienced economic distress and significant operational losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This program will provide restaurants with funding equal to their pandemic-related revenue loss up to $10 million per business and no more than $5 million per physical location. Funds must be used for allowable expenses by March 11, 2023. Read more here.

NAWBO National Virtual Advocacy Days
Mark your calendar for June 7th and June 8th! NAWBO’s 2021 Advocacy Days activities will
take place through a virtual setting from Monday, June 7th through Tuesday June 8th.
The week will then close out with NAWBO members connecting with the offices of
their elected representatives.

This year's Advocacy Days will focus on 5 key themes:
  • Speaking to the Microbusiness, Reinvigorating, and Encouraging the Emerging
Entrepreneur
  • Accessing Capital
  • Breaking the Middle Barrier
  • Utilizing and Receiving Technology
  • Caring for the Business Owner and Caretaking Flexibilities for the Employee

These key themes reflect the needs and interests of NAWBO members as they have
navigated the COVID-19 pandemic.

JOIN THE PUBLIC POLICY COMMITTEE
 We encourage anyone interested in advocacy to join the Public Policy Committee. It’s open to all members and we meet on the 4th Friday of the month from 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. If you’re interested, email NAWBO-CA’s Advocacy and Public Policy Director Robin Allen at robindharris1@hotmail.com. The bigger the team, the greater the outcomes!
Doing Business with the City of Los Angeles
Happy Asian Pacific American Heritage Month! In honor of the businesses in our Asian Americans and Pacific Islander community, LA hosting its 2nd Annual Supplier Diversity Conference “Doing Business with the City of Los Angeles” virtually with the local Korean Consulate and the City of Los Angeles on May 12th from 10am - 12pm.

Senior Korean city department leaders who are experts in procurement will discuss contracting opportunities in their departments. Click here for free registration, spaces are limited.

This is a great opportunity to learn about the resources and tips on doing business with the City of Los Angeles, Mayor's office, LA Controller's office, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), and Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA)! All small businesses are welcome to join.

Besides this event, LA also offers a number of upcoming business webinars designed to help you protect and grow your business. Sign up below.
All Member Mixer
Join us virtually on Thursday, May 13th at 4:30 for a fun time with all of our 11 Chapters! Special thanks to our sponsor, Dell. Please register in advance here.
Workshop and coaching opportunity for LA County businesses
UpliftHer is an accelerated five-week series of interactive workshops and executive coaching created by and for women. Learn more below and here.





Angel Guerra-Chagolla, NAWBO-IE, was featured in Shoutout LA!

Angel shared her journey in creating the Beauty & Beast in Business. 

Read her interview here.
NAWBO-IE Congratulates Hilda Kennedy WBO of the Year Award Recipient
The Inland Empire Chapter has extraordinary women that are creating change for their communities. It is an honor for us to have two of our members, Chastity Cordova-Howard,
Sylvan Learning of Murrieta/Temecula and Hilda Kennedy of AmPac Business Capital, AmPac Tri-State CDC, Inc., represented us as Women Business Owner of the Year nominees at NAWBO California Propel on April 28, 2021.

We congratulate all of the nominees throughout California and it is a great pride for our chapter to know that Hilda Kennedy (pictured), whose headquarters are in Riverside County, was recognized as the Propel 2021 Women Business of the Year winner. Hilda is not only a member, but a corporate sponsor for our chapter. AmPac Business Capital has guided and assisted small business owners navigate during the pandemic with access to capital to make sure their businesses survive.


SFBA: Mixer on June 3

Inland Empire: Who is Getting the Business? On May 20