When completed, Destination Crenshaw will be the place to experience the most dynamic expression of Black American art and culture in the United States.

But it will be more than a cultural experience. We are transforming Crenshaw Boulevard from an area that has long deserved economic investment and strategic urban planning, into a thriving commercial corridor linked by architecturally stunning community spaces and pocket parks, hundreds of newly planted trees, and over 100 commissioned works of art.

DC THRIVE Started as a Way Out of Crisis

With no end in sight to the COVID-19 lockdowns in the Spring of 2020, Councilman Marqueece Harris-Dawson began a senior meals program that met two key challenges: 1) protecting vulnerable seniors during the pandemic and 2) keeping Black-owned restaurants from going under, in an economic crisis that an estimated 40% of Black businesses would not be able to survive. From this effort, a new model for economic uplift was born – targeted small business support that not only enables homegrown businesses on the corridor to survive but to thrive.

DC THRIVE Started as a Way Out of Crisis

With no end in sight to the COVID-19 lockdowns in the Spring of 2020, Councilman Marqueece Harris-Dawson began a senior meals program that met two key challenges: 1) protecting vulnerable seniors during the pandemic and 2) keeping Black-owned restaurants from going under, in an economic crisis that an estimated 40% of Black businesses would not be able to survive. From this effort, a new model for economic uplift was born – targeted small business support that not only enables homegrown businesses on the corridor to survive but to thrive.

From Surviving to Thriving

To be a true success, Destination Crenshaw must be both a testament to Black L.A.’s past and drive intentional investment to build Black L.A.’s future. DC THRIVE is key to that success. Through targeted partnerships focused on small business support – from social media marketing to help with finding and applying for public grants – Destination Crenshaw continues to provide critical assistance to Black-owned businesses in the Crenshaw district.

From Surviving to Thriving

To be a true success, Destination Crenshaw must be both a testament to Black L.A.’s past and drive intentional investment to build Black L.A.’s future. DC THRIVE is key to that success. Through targeted partnerships focused on small business support – from social media marketing to help with finding and applying for public grants – Destination Crenshaw continues to provide critical assistance to Black-owned businesses in the Crenshaw district.

KEY FUNCTIONS​

  • Connecting businesses to lenders to apply for PPP.
  • Providing important information to business about other available funding sources from SBA loans to grants
  • Providing microgrants to support business operations (e.g. Quickbooks or payroll).
  • Connecting businesses with partners who can provide technical assistance – from social media marketing support to help filling out PPP applications.

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

KEY PARTNERS

We have partnered with Inclusive Action to produce the Crenshaw Small Business Anti-displacement study to elevate recommendations on policies to advocate for solutions to increasing displacement & gentrification concerns along the Crenshaw Corridor.

Lendistry has been a great supporter of the DC THRIVE program since our initial efforts to provide COVD relief. Since then, we’ve partnered on various programs including New Market Tax Credits investment to drive additional investment activity to the Crenshaw business community.

LISC LA has been integral to the success and launch of DC THRIVE by including Destination Crenshaw’s inclusion in the South LA Economic Inclusion initiative.

We partner with TEC Leimert to support businesses along the Crenshaw corridor through their Nxt Lvl program. The program pairs businesses with young digital professionals who help grow their online presence through social media and marketing support. So far, we have been able to sponsor 10 businesses in the program, including 5 participating for a second year in 2021.