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LAVA Los Angeles LAVA is a multicultural agency designed to help organizations with expanding their business, brand building and gaining maximum media exposure.

10/21/2026

GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY FOR SOCAL MBE’s. Imagine connecting with some of America’s largest corporations, procurement executives, and business leaders—all in one place, right here in Los Angeles!

The 2026 NMSDC Annual Conference & Exchange is coming to the Los Angeles Convention Center, October 25–28, bringing together Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) and corporate decision-makers from across the country.

TWO WAYS TO PARTICIPATE:

REGISTER & SAVE 20%!

California businesses can receive a 20% discount on conference registration using promo code CALIDISC26.

VOLUNTEER & GET INVOLVED!

Conference registration can be expensive, but volunteering offers another way to get involved, gain behind-the-scenes experience, meet business leaders, and build valuable connections. Check with organizers about access to conference activities.

From business matchmaking to networking with corporate procurement professionals, this is an opportunity to build social capital and open doors to new business opportunities.

Los Angeles Convention Center
October 25–28, 2026. Conference Registration & Volunteer Information:
https://lnkd.in/gajNjQsA

I didn’t set out to make T-shirts. This business happened by accident.It started at Crafted, when the director saw my Sa...
10/19/2026

I didn’t set out to make T-shirts. This business happened by accident.

It started at Crafted, when the director saw my San Pedro map shirt, liked it, and encouraged me to try selling it on consignment. I took the shirts to the Farmers Market, and now the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium has welcomed the line into its gift shop. I’m grateful to everyone who helped open those doors.

What makes the shirt special is the map: an original design that brings together San Pedro’s history, culture, and landmarks. It’s more than the city name on a shirt—it’s a way to celebrate the place and invite people to discover it.

I’m learning that building an apparel line takes much more than a good design. Product quality, reliable delivery, customer service, and distribution all matter. People will always have ideas for what else to make. I’ve learned to listen, stay focused, and keep building what we believe in.

The San Pedro line is our beginning. I’m excited to see where this map idea can travel next.

A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY FOR SOCAL MBE’s. Imagine connecting with some of America’s largest corporations, procurement execut...
10/17/2026

A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY FOR SOCAL MBE’s. Imagine connecting with some of America’s largest corporations, procurement executives, and business leaders—all in one place, right here in Los Angeles!

The 2026 NMSDC Annual Conference & Exchange is coming to the Los Angeles Convention Center, October 25–28, bringing together Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) and corporate decision-makers from across the country.

TWO WAYS TO PARTICIPATE:

REGISTER & SAVE 20%!

California businesses can receive a 20% discount on conference registration using promo code CALIDISC26.

VOLUNTEER & GET INVOLVED!

Conference registration can be expensive, but volunteering offers another way to get involved, gain behind-the-scenes experience, meet business leaders, and build valuable connections. Check with organizers about access to conference activities.

From business matchmaking to networking with corporate procurement professionals, this is an opportunity to build social capital and open doors to new business opportunities.

Los Angeles Convention Center
October 25–28, 2026. Conference Registration & Volunteer Information:
https://www.nmsdcconference.org/event/b3fd05fd-6726-477c-b589-788f4597d045/summary

The Golden State. Golden Opportunities. Your Next Big Connection! California Minority Supplier mDevelopment Council

Congratulations to Terra, Angie, and the Port of Long Beach Small Business team on last week’s Small Business Summit.Aft...
10/15/2026

Congratulations to Terra, Angie, and the Port of Long Beach Small Business team on last week’s Small Business Summit.

After many years working in government contracting at the federal, state, and local levels, I can see the Port is creating real opportunities for MBE’s to meet buyers, learn about procurement, and connect with resources that can help them compete. It was also great to be with our longtime partners Virginia and Marlene of Southern California Minority Supplier Development Council and Port are both Dream Big strategic partners.

This event is a great stepping stone to next week’s 2026 NMSDC Annual Conference & Exchange, which SCMSDC is helping bring to Los Angeles October 25–28. Among the conference sponsors are Nike, Target, Goldman Sachs, ExxonMobil, and Victoria’s Secret. For MBEs, the conference offers a rare chance to meet major brands.

Learn more and register: 2026 NMSDC Annual Conference & Exchange

Join us at Sea Scare, a family Halloween event expecting about 1,000, plus guests! Find our table and pick up an origina...
10/15/2026

Join us at Sea Scare, a family Halloween event expecting about 1,000, plus guests! Find our table and pick up an original San Pedro Map Tee. LAVA will donate $7.50 from every shirt sold to support the Cabrillo Marine AquariumAquarium’s environmental work and care for our local oceans. Tickets are required: $18 adults, $12 children. Aquarium members get four free tickets. Get tickets before it sells out. You can also find our handcrafted tees San Pedro Farmers Market Crafted at the Port of Los Angeles Happy Moon Supply and more locations.

Los Angeles will soon be home to one of the nation's most important gatherings for Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) ...
10/11/2026

Los Angeles will soon be home to one of the nation's most important gatherings for Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) looking to connect with major brands. Among the corporate sponsors at the upcoming 2026 NMSDC Annual Conference & Exchange are JPMorganChase, Bank of America, Nike, Coca-Cola, Ford, Honda, Target, Kroger, Chevron, and many more! Imagine the opportunity to build relationships with some of America's largest corporations in one place for four days in a row.
The Exchange will be taking place October 25–28 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, bringing together corporate procurement leaders, business executives, and MBEs from across the nation.
This gathering is co-hosted by Southern California Minority Business Development Council, under the leadership of President Virginia Gomez, continues its longstanding commitment to advancing minority businesses and expanding economic opportunities.
Beyond business connections, this national gathering is about something bigger: helping close the racial wealth gap, strengthening minority-owned businesses, and building generational wealth. Don't miss this opportunity to grow your social capital!
California businesses can save 20% on registration with discount code CALIDISC26.
Learn more and register: https://nmsdcconference.org
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Celebrating Our Summer Intern, SpriiOne of the things that makes me happiest about the work we do at LAVA is the opportu...
08/25/2026

Celebrating Our Summer Intern, Sprii

One of the things that makes me happiest about the work we do at LAVA is the opportunity to work with young people who are just beginning to discover where their talents might take them.

This summer, we had the privilege of having Sprii, a student from India currently studying filmmaking in New York, join the LAVA team.

A budding creative and aspiring filmmaker, Sprii contributed to Dream Big, our 10 Days to Self-Esteem work, and other LAVA projects. But what impressed me most was something you can't necessarily teach: she consistently showed up with a positive attitude, curiosity and a genuine willingness to learn.

Talent matters. So does opportunity.

As a multicultural, purpose-driven agency, one of the ways LAVA can help level the playing field is simply by opening doors—giving talented young people from different backgrounds an opportunity to learn, contribute and show what they can do. And very often, we learn just as much from them.

I have no doubt this young artist and aspiring filmmaker will make her mark. We're very proud to have had Sprii as part of the LAVA team this summer.

Keep dreaming big, Sprii. We're rooting for you.

08/19/2026

DreamThis summer, we dreamed big—together.

Dream Big brought entrepreneurs and leaders together to explore new opportunities—from the 2028 Olympic economy to the power of partnerships with nonprofits.

Here’s our final look back at Dream Big 2026.

The Best Is Yet to Come.At almost 70, Lura Daniels Ball is still dreaming big.Lura was the first entrepreneur to sign up...
08/12/2026

The Best Is Yet to Come.

At almost 70, Lura Daniels Ball is still dreaming big.

Lura was the first entrepreneur to sign up for our second annual Dream Big Pitch Off. She walked away the winner, with the $500 prize doubled on the spot to $1,000 by U.S. Bank.

But what struck me most wasn't the money. It was what the moment meant to her.

“I felt that they understood that day, you know, my dream.”

And Lura's dream is BIG.

After four decades of what she calls her “ministry of baking,” she isn't thinking about a pop-up or simply selling at farmers markets. She's preparing Lura’s Kitchen for manufacturing, wholesale and retail.

“I’m dreaming of an order of 100,000 from Walmart. I’m dreaming of an order for 500 stores.”

Her journey has included success, loss, illness and plenty of self-doubt. So I asked her what she would tell someone wondering: Am I too old? Is it too late? Should I keep going?

Her answer:

“Keep going.”

At almost 70, Lura isn't looking backward. She's building her next chapter and a legacy for her family.

Perhaps the best really is yet to come.

The energy at Dream Big completely shifted when award-winning author of the Tao Derek Lin took the stage. The diverse cr...
07/30/2026

The energy at Dream Big completely shifted when award-winning author of the Tao Derek Lin took the stage. The diverse crowd gathered, eager for fresh ideas on growth and leadership. Known for his warmth and humility, my friend, Derek didn’t just give a standard business talk. Instead, he captivated everyone by showing how the ancient wisdom of the Tao can be the ultimate roadmap for modern success. To bring this to life, he shared a classic, beloved story that left the entire room inspired. Derek smiled as he asked the audience a counterintuitive question: "How do you sell wooden combs to a monastery full of bald monks?"
As a ripple of laughter went through the crowd, Derek used the parable of three sales candidates to show how different mindsets approach a seemingly impossible challenge:
The First Candidate forced his way through, begging an itchy-headed monk to buy just one comb to use as a head-scratcher. He represented the exhausting struggle of fighting against the current.
The Second Candidate took a step back and looked at the environment. He noticed pilgrims arriving at the mountain temple with hair messy from the wind. He convinced the Abbot to buy ten combs so visitors could neat up before entering the sacred shrines out of respect.
The Third Candidate blew everyone away. He didn't look at the monks' heads, and he didn't stop at the pilgrims' hair. He looked at the spirit of the temple itself. He told the Abbot, "Let’s engrave your sacred blessings onto these combs. Let the pilgrims buy them as a blessed souvenir to bring the temple's energy back home to their families." He left with an order for a thousand combs and a lifelong partnership.
As the story wrapped up, you could feel a collective "aha!" Derek’s presentation was a powerful reminder that when we align ourselves with the natural flow of life and lead with empathy, the universe naturally opens up for us.

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