With an increase in raids causing communities to live in fear, VSEDC’s President & CEO Quentin Strode reaffirms the organization’s commitment to marginalized communities
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Vermont Slauson Economic Development Corporation (VSEDC) takes pride in our nearly 50-year history of advocating for marginalized populations in South Los Angeles and beyond. As our immigrant community grapples with the hovering fear of being targeted, we extend our unwavering support in navigating these overwhelming times.
Our offices have always been a safe space for entrepreneurs to seek support in charting paths to self-sufficiency—no matter your status. At its core, America is a symbol of diversity around the world. We should celebrate the contributions that immigrants have made throughout our nation’s history and extend empathy and kindness as they strengthen the fabric of our communities.
In addition to their cultural, creative, and professional contributions, immigrants infuse billions into the local and national economy, fueling services throughout our great city and county. With these contributions in mind, VSEDC is saddened by the countless vendors and business owners whose livelihoods have been threatened as a result of these stressful times.
For those who opt to protest, we see you. We applaud you for exercising your first amendment right to advocate for the voiceless. For those who seek alternate ways to get involved, we have compiled a list of organizations who are on the frontlines of this fight who need your support.
In closing, there is no place for discrimination or hate. We stand with all Angelenos and immigrants across the country. We value you and wish you the safety, security, and economic stability that all families deserve.
In Solidarity,
Quentin Strode
President & CEO
Vermont Slauson Economic Development Corporation
About VSEDC
For more than four decades, VSEDC has facilitated community development of the South Los Angeles area by providing programs that revitalize the physical, economic, and social life of the community. A newly-designated Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), VSEDC has developed and implemented a comprehensive approach to community economic development that includes business development, access to capital, technical assistance and training, residential housing, commercial, and industrial development. Founded by the late Marva Smith Battle-Bey in 1981, VSEDC works to create a South Los Angeles with strong neighborhoods and thriving communities. To learn more, please visit www.vsedc.org.
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SOURCE Vermont Slauson Economic Development Corporation
