Bicycling event CicLAvia coming to South LA + Pictures of shoes give new art project sole



Bikers at the last CicLAvia event.

Bikers at the last CicLAvia event.

NBC: Gigantic cycling event CicLAvia will come to South LA in December.

Streetsblog: Artist Kim Abeles helps people understand life in others’ shoes– using the actual shoes themselves.

Hartford Business: A new book follows a South LA entrepreneur as part of its narrative on rebuilding the path to the middle class.

HutchinsonReport: Could a possible smear campaign mar the LAUSD School Board race?

South LA business get free resources



The Vermont Slauson Economic Development Corporation (VSEDC) will run the newly opened L.A. BusinessSource Center, South Los Angeles Region. It’s one of six centers sponsored by the Mayor’s Office of Small Business in the City of Los Angeles with the goal of promoting the growth of small businesses and creating jobs.

See an ATVN video story on the center’s opening on Thursday:

South LA Business Resource Center

Local organization continues its search for the next entrepreneur star



Listen to an audio story by Annenberg Radio News:

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image Three small business hopefuls faced the last round in a competition Thursday to jump-start their businesses. The Los Angeles Urban League and Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza have teamed up to give away a six-month kiosk lease to the winner.

Blair Taylor is the president of Los Angeles Urban League. He judged the contestants.

“I’m really looking for entrepreneurs who’ve done their homework and understand a little about the market – a little bit about the dynamics of the market – and are thinking for the long term about how their business might survive over multiple years opposed to just the immediate launch,” Taylor said.

Think of the contest like American Idol, but without the reality television. It’s fierce, but Barbara Lawson, who is selling hand-painted glassware in the competition, said all the contestants have developed a bond.

“It’s really not about necessarily who wins because obviously for the top three to get there they have a viable product, a viable business, and everyone is going to do great,” Lawson said.

Ronald Jackson, another contestant, has hand crafted jewelry for 17 years. He hopes this will be his ticket to success.

“It’s been interesting, and it’s harder when you see so many people with so many great ideas,” Jackson said. “So it’s been challenging because they’re cool people, but at the same time, I have to keep my focus on me.”

They’ve all come a long way. Originally, 60 people signed up for the opportunity. Today, just three remain. The winner will be announced at a dinner held in early April.