The Jones Center works with partners who want to engage and empower their communities and organizations by bringing science into them and supporting them in using that information.
Together for L.A.
Together for LA partners include Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC), The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, Local Initiatives Support Corporation Los Angeles (LISC LA), The Dr. Lucy Jones Center for Science and Society, The Institute for Sustainable Development (ISD), City of Los Angeles and Los Angeles County; who are working together to advance a more equitable, sustainable and resilient economic recovery.
Together for LA is doing this work in recognition of the fact that Los Angeles County is home to more than 1.3 million small businesses, including more women and BIPOC owned small businesses than any other county in the nation. These employer and non-employer establishments provide the majority of jobs and income for the ten million residents of America’s most populous and diverse county and tens of thousands of these enterprises remain at significant risk due to the disruptions caused by the pandemic. As of March 2021, small business revenues in LA County are still down by more than 30%. The Together for LA collaborative is committed to working as a combined force to advance a more equitable economic recovery.
Learn more and connect directly with each partner and learn about small business resources and programs here.
On July 1, 2022, the Together for Los Angeles (TFLA) Collaborative for Small Business Recovery marked its one-year anniversary by continuing to provide technical assistance to small businesses still impacted by COVID-19, releasing the 2022 TFLA Small Business Recovery Report and Resource Guide, and making the case for long-term Los Angeles small business preparedness and economic resilience.
“Economic health is societal health.” Dr. Lucy Jones, Director of the Dr. Lucy Jones Center for
Science and Society said, “Business recovery is a requirement for all of us to recover from an
earthquake or other disaster.”
The 2022 ISD Together for Los Angeles “Small Business Recovery Report and Resource Guide” can
be found here.
Watch a recording of the TFLA Symposium here.
Covid-19 Virtual Forums & Small Business Support
Starting at the end of March 2020, the Dr. Lucy Jones Center with support from Wells Fargo began hosting a series of convenings to help local leaders in the business community and in nonprofits, as well as small businesses themselves, manage the unfolding pandemic. By coupling explanations of how the virus was spreading, how to keep safe, and what to expect next with direct assistance programs and tactics, we were able to provide unique value that was based in science to inspire action.
These virtual forums took a few forms. First, we held biweekly updates for small businesses and the business community of Southern California in partnership with the L.A. Area Chamber, the LA Economic Development Corporation, and the City and County of L.A. These virtual webinars featured Dr. Jones and other experts to provide insights and assistance on relief programs, safety programs, and other timely information to help businesses manage the unfolding disaster.
We also hosted larger workshops for leaders. In April 2020, we partnered with the Center for Nonprofit Management, Southern California Leadership Network, Valley Nonprofit Resources, and Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce to host a special virtual forum for nonprofit leaders in Los Angeles featuring Dr. Lucy Jones on managing our current pandemic disaster. Dr. Jones provided an overview of what has been happening with the virus in LA County followed by what we have learned from previous disasters that will help us get through this. Nonprofits are essential during a disaster response phase and even more so during the recovery, and this virtual forum explored those opportunities, as well as how we can support each other. Through digital breakout group discussions, this interactive virtual forum revealed the role of nonprofits in the response and recovery and how we can support each other. On June 3, 2020, we also hosted a virtual forum just for leaders of LA County area chambers of commerce and business organization leaders to discuss how they could work together to support each other and what they need to know. The intent was to make sure they had the support to be able to, in turn, support their small business community. Speakers include Dr. Lucy Jones & Bill Allen, President and CEO of the LA Economic Development Corporation.
These convenings lasted through the summer, and then work turned toward working with partners including Wells Fargo, L.A. City and County, LISC – LA, ISD, the LA Area Chamber, and the LAEDC to coordinate activities and develop strategies to support small business in the ongoing pandemic. A report of these efforts and what was learned was issues by ISD in December 2020.
A link to a recording of these forums and further information can be found here.
Intersection Series
The Intersection Series brings together leaders from different sectors to work towards building more resilient communities. Each event creates a space for gaining insights and sparking collaboration for action. Dr. Jones sits down in deep conversation with her guest, followed by a discussion with those in attendance.
We held one, ritual Intersection “Lunch” in July 2020 in partnership with Unibail- Rodamco-Westfield (URW). The session featured Dr. Deanna Sellnow, Professor and Associate Dean of the Nicholson School of Communications at the University of Central Florida, to explain how people process information and how communicators can most effectively provide the information needed to have others take the necessary steps for response. What is at risk is our economy and way of life, and this virtual session provided the tools, techniques, and underlying science to empower business and local leaders to manage people who are reacting differently to the same risk.