About this episode

Lizzy Okoro Davidson discusses the role of the Pasadena Women's Business Center in supporting women entrepreneurs during the post-fire economic rebuild in Pasadena.

A year after the devastating Los Angeles fires in January 2025, Lizzy Okoro Davidson returns to the podcast to share how the Pasadena Women's Business Center has become a key leader in rebuilding efforts—championing strategies rooted in equity, tactical support, and economic opportunity for women entrepreneurs. Together, our host, Dr. Salvatrice Cummo, Vice President of the Economic and Workforce Development Department at Pasadena City College explores how we continue to rebuild a year later and the realities of what those efforts require ongoingly. Lizzy shares how programs at the WBC created innovative accelerators that were responsive and specific to different women-owned sectors, like beauty professionals and how the formula to relief and support-success is to listen with intent and build the solutions needed in real time. They also discuss the importance of community, challenges unique to women-owned businesses, and the broader economic impact when women are given resources to thrive. You'll Learn: How recovery from natural disasters is a long-term process, and why continued support for affected small businesses remains crucial Why women-owned businesses are uniquely…

People in this episode

Host: Dr. Salvatrice Cummo

Guest: Lizzy Okoro Davidson

Topics covered

• women-owned businesses
• economic recovery
• community support
• natural disasters
• entrepreneurship
• equity

Keywords

• women entrepreneurs
• economic opportunity
• business recovery
• community impact
• support programs

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Pasadena Women's Business Center

Places: Pasadena, Los Angeles

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