2023 Ascend National Conference
LA, July 10 - 12, 2023
Welcome!
Check-In
Fill out the form below to Check IN, you only need to fill it out once.
PHOTO, IMAGE, LIKENESS RELEASE
By attending the ASCEND NATIONAL CONFERENCE and entering these premises, I do hereby authorize the Loyola Marymount University (LMU), The University of Washington (UW), Foster Center School of Business, Consulting & Business Development Center, and those acting on their behalf to:
Photograph me for use in publications, on websites, or in articles relating to The Ascend Cities program.
Exhibit or distribute the photographs and/or my likeness in whole or in part in any medium, whether now existing or later created, including digitally and online, without restrictions or limitation for any educational or promotional purpose which UW, LMU, and those acting under their authority, deem appropriate.
I hereby release all rights that I may have to such photographs, including intellectual property rights and right of publicity, and all other rights concerning said images.
Agenda
-
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Happy Hour (Optional)
LMU Playa Vista Campus- 2nd Floor
Light hors d’oeuvres and drinks.
Participants are responsible for their own transportation.
-
7:30 AM
Shuttle leaves to LMU Playa Vista Campus
Meet at Marina del Rey Marriott Lobby to board.
8:00 AM
Breakfast
LMU Playa Vista - (Plenary)
8:30 AM - 9:00 AM
Welcome & Introductions (Plenary)
⟡ Hosts: John Frias (NYC) & Candace Mitchell Hall (National)
⟡ LMU Welcome by Provost Thomas Poon & Dean Dayle Smith
⟡ LISC LA Welcome by Joe Horiye
9:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Racial Equity in Business Development (Plenary)
JMPC Welcome
Cate Costa & Mikal Quarles, followed by a fireside chat on racial equity.
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Business Owner and Capital Provider Panel: Coaching Capital Readiness (Plenary)
Speakers- Chef Kyndra McCrary, Kenetia Lee, and Monique Cadle
Moderator- Vicky Rodriguez
From the perspective of Angelino business owners, they highlight and guide CDFI (Community Development Financial Institution) leaders and other business support organizations on how to best meet the capital needs of business owners of color.
10:45 AM - 12:00 PM
⟡ From Peership to Leadership: Scaling Diverse Construction Companies (Plenary)
Speakers: Renee Sacks & Liz Kupcha
The purpose of this session is to receive feedback on a manual that Ascend Regional NY-NJ-LI program is developing for use by Ascend programs across the US that will supercharge work to improve contracting for construction and A&E industry firms.
⟡ Ascend National Cohort: Launching New Partnerships to Increase Success ( Room 212)
Ascend leaders of the National Cohort program from Atlanta (Morehouse College), Columbus (Fisher College of Business), Chicago (Kellogg School of Management), Twin Cities (Meda & Carlson School of Business) and Seattle (Foster School of Business) will meet with colleagues at EY to deepen connection between EY sessions and the rest of the Ascend National Cohort program.
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Lunch & Networking (Plenary)
1:30 PM - 2:15 PM
Management Education Panel (Plenary)
Speakers: Trisha Murakawa, Val Mataele, Maricela Cueva, and Hwesu Cobb-Phillips
Moderator: Alex Glosenberg
This session will provide guidance to business school faculty and staff and other professionals on how to ensure business owners have the knowledge they need to grow companies toward the $10 million revenue level.
2:15 PM - 3:15 PM
⟡ Addressing Racial Trauma for Business Owners of Color (Plenary)
Speakers: Syreeta Pratt & Gina Yuvette Davis
Moderator: LaTia Few
The purpose of this session is to provide guidance to business school faculty, staff and leaders of other business support organizations (none of whom are licensed mental health care workers) on how to support business owners of color as they deal with ongoing racial trauma.
⟡ Ascend National Cohort: Launching New Partnerships to Increase Success (Room 212)
Ascend leaders of the National Cohort program from Atlanta (Morehouse College), Columbus (Fisher College of Business), Chicago (Kellogg School of Management), Twin Cities (Meda & Carlson School of Business) and Seattle (Foster School of Business) will meet with leaders of Founders First, Center by Lendistry, and Hyphen to explore effective ways to connect work that is scaling businesses owned by people of color to middle-market size.
3:15 PM - 4:15 PM
Turning Program and Ecosystem Evaluation Into Improved Business Outcomes: How to use the data that you have and will have to improve performance. (Plenary)
Speakers: Nancy Carin (NYC), Alex Glosenberg (LA), Deb Membreno (LA), and Tanya Pope (NYC)
Moderator: Kim Zeuli
This session will provide insights on how to use evaluation data to improve program effectiveness, secure additional funders, and build organizational sustainability.
4:15 PM - 5:00 PM
National Capital Resources (Plenary)
Speakers- Kim Folsom, Tunua Thrash-Ntuk, & Archana Sahgal
The goal of this session is to introduce new sources of capital that local Ascend partners can access for their businesses.
5:00 PM
Shuttle returns to Marina del Rey Marriott for a break before dinner.
6:10 PM
Shuttle leaves for dinner at LMU Main Campus- Roski Dining Hall
Meet at Marina del Rey Marriott Lobby
6:30 PM
Shuttle arrives at Roski Dining Hall.
7:15 PM
⟡ Celebrate LA Wins! by Rene Cota
⟡ Keynote Speaker: Leila Lee
7:40
Dinner
8:30 PM
Shuttle returns to Marina del Rey Marriott
-
7:30 AM
Shuttle leaves to LMU Playa Vista Campus
Meet at Marina del Rey Marriott Lobby to board.
8:00 AM
Breakfast
8:30 AM
Welcome
by David Choi
LMU Playa Vista - (Plenary)
8:35 AM - 9:30 AM
A Regional Level Approach to Market Access
Speakers: Maria Salinas, Jason Foster, & Ariel Lawrence
Moderator: Martha Flores Perez
A fireside chat with the goal of providing leaders of business support organizations with insights on how to ensure that regional, local, and community-level development plans benefit business owners of color.
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Market Access Panel: A View from Corporations (Plenary)
To provide insights on how business support organizations can best link business that have revenue in the $1-10 million range to corporate procurement. This session will also focus on how to connect businesses in the $1-10 million range to Tier I suppliers of corporations that may not have supplier diversity programs or leaders.
Speakers: Tracy Dennis, VP, Business Development, Global Supplier Diversity, JPMorgan Chase
Camille Geiger, Supplier Diversity Division Leaders, The Boeing Company
Stacie Harwood, Senior Program Manager, Supplier Diversity
Vincent Wiggins, Lead Procurement Manager Supplier Inclusion & Marketing, La-Z-Boy
Moderator: Michael Verchot
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
⟡ Market Access Manual by Candace Mitchell Harris (Plenary)
Working Session to receive feedback on the Ascend Cities manual to establish and grow Market Access Councils.
Click here to add comments to the Manual.
⟡ Ascend National Cohort: Deeping Partnership with EY (Room 212)
Ascend leaders of the National Cohort program from Atlanta (Morehouse College), Columbus (Fisher College of Business), Chicago (Kellogg School of Management), Twin Cities (Meda & Carlson School of Business) and Seattle (Foster School of Business) will discuss two outstanding items from the Intensive: building the alumni network and increasing access of alumni to corporate partners.
⟡ JPMC (Room 226)
Only for JPMC
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Market Access: Ascend NYC Market Access Council Case Study (Plenary)
Speakers: John Rooney, Ugochi Onyeukwu, & Kevin Wells
Moderator: Tanya Pope
To provide insights that will help Ascend programs across the US to build Ascend Market Access Council’s that mirror the success of the Ascend NYC council.
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Lunch & Networking (Plenary)
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Poster Exhibit (Plenary)
This interactive session will allow each Ascend city to demonstrate its approach and to learn from other cities about ways to improve their success.
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
See the Floorplan to find Breakout Rooms.
During the following Breakouts , participants will meet with either their JMPC Officer or their Anchor Council. The goal is have a working planning session.
⟡ Group 1 Breakout: Phylicia Manley & Ascend Indianapolis/Chicago (Room 221)
⟡ Group 2 Breakout: Vicki Foege, Ascend Seattle, & Ascend Portland (Room 223)
⟡ Group 3 Breakout: Phylicia Manley & Ascend Indianapolis/Chicago (Room 221)
⟡ Group 4 Breakout: Ascend NYC (Room 225)
⟡ Group 5 Breakout: Corey Matthews & Ascend LA (Room 205)
⟡ National Cohort (Room 212)
Only for Ascend National Cohort Leads.
⟡ Business Development For Your Participants by Rene Cota & Renee Moncito (Plenary)
Everyone else who does not have a listed breakout room, will stay in Plenary to learn about contracting.
4:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Why We Do This Work: Ascend LA Alum (Plenary)
Speaker: Erick Castro
Moderator: David Choi
In this inspirational fireside chat Mr. Erick Castro an Ascend LA alum and President of Kana Subsurface Engineering will share his story of perseverance and hard work that led to his entrepreneurial success.
4:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Where Do We Go From Here by Michael Verchot (Plenary)
5:00 PM
Conference ends and the shuttle returns to Marina del Rey Marriott
Speakers
LMU Playa Vista Map
Address: 12105 E. Waterfront Drive, Suite 200, Playa Vista, CA 90094
LMU Main Campus Map
Address: 1 LMU Drive University Hall, Roski Dining Hall Los Angeles, CA 90045
LMU Main Campus- Roski Dining Hall is where our Reception Dinner is on July 11.
LMU Playa Vista Floorplan
Address: 12105 E. Waterfront Drive, Suite 200, Playa Vista, CA 90094
The Conference will be held on the 2nd floor.
Check-in at the front desk once you come in from the elevators.
If you need to take a call or a break, please use Room 222.
Fun in LA!
Below is a list of restaurants, groceries, and pharmacies nearby LMU and Marina del Rey Marriott.
-
ACTIVITIES/VISIT
This is a great plaza with museums, stadiums, and the California Science Center which includes the space shuttle Endeavour – most attractions are free.
700 Exposition Park Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90037
30 min drive
Pier
Santa Monica Pier, 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401
14 min drive
Planetarium, and sunset views
The best sunset views in LA, and a view of the stars. The observatory is free to visit. Make sure to watch the planetarium shows.
2800 E Observatory Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90027
50 min drive
Concert Hall
At this outdoor concert hall, you can bring your own picnic, wine, and food while listening to live music!
2301 N Highland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90068
40 min drive
Encompassing about 130 acres, the botanical gardens feature living collections in 16 stunning themed gardens with more than 83,000 living plants including rare and endangered species, and a laboratory for botanical conservation and research.
1151 Oxford Rd, San Marino, CA 91108
50 min drive
Amusement Park
100 Universal City Plaza, North Hollywood, CA 91602
36 min drive
2.9-mile loop trail near Venice, California that makes you feel like you are in Venice, Italy.
Venice Canals, Venice, CA 90292
10 min drive
Tour
3400 Warner Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505
38 min drive
MUSEUMS
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Celebrate L.A.’s finest jazz musicians with Jazz at LACMA, presented Friday evenings from April to November.
5905 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
31 min drive
The museum includes Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirrored Room. Same-day tickets are released daily in addition to monthly ticket releases, which are on the last Wednesday at 10 a.m. PT for admission the following month.
221 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012
35 min drive
Admission is free, though temporarily requires a timed-entry reservation.
1200 Getty Center Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90049
23 min drive
The Villa includes Greek and Roman antiquities housed in a re-created Roman country home. This museum is located next to the pacific coast highway.
17985 Pacific Coast Highway, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272, USA
30 min drive
The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)
The museum is across the street from the Broad and free of charge.
250 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012
35 min drive
PARKS
6300 Hetzler Rd, Culver City, CA 90232
15 min drive
Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve
Playa Del Rey, CA 90293
2 min drive
4730 Crystal Springs Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027
42 min drive
Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area
4100 S. La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90008
22 min drive
3160 Canyon Lake Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90068
48 min drive
-
BREAKFAST
Beachside Restaurant and Bar ($$)
American (New)
Seafood
Breakfast & Brunch
4175 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey, CA 90292
3 min drive or 6 min walk
Flake ($$)
Breakfast & Brunch
Coffee & Tea
Sandwiches
513 Rose Ave, Venice CA 90291
9 min drive
Great White ($$)
Cafes
Breakfast & Brunch
American (New)
1604 Pacific Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90291
4 min drive
Bars
American (New)
Breakfast & Brunch
417 Washington Blvd, Venice, CA 90292
2 min drive or 5 min walk
CAFE
Owned by Issa Rae. You can also find a café in Inglewood.
4427 W Slauson Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90043
12 min drive
Coffee & Tea
56 Windward Ave, Venice, CA 90291
5 min drive
The Cow’s End Cafe ($$)
Coffee & Tea
Breakfast & Brunch
Juice Bars & Smoothies
34 Washington Blvd, Venice, CA 90292
3 min drive or 9 min walk
The Hive ($$)
Breakfast & Brunch
Cafes
Acai Bowls
4242 Via Marina, Marina del Rey, CA 90292
6 min walk
RESTAURANTS
3744 W 6th St, Los Angeles, CA
30 min drive
5359 W Adams Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90016
22 min drive
6805 S Vista Del Mar Ln, Playa Del Rey, CA 90293
5 min drive
Beachside Restaurant and Bar inside Jamaica Bay Inn ($$)
American
Seafood
Breakfast & Brunch
4175 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey, CA 90292
6 min walk
1906 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90405
12 min drive
Charcoal Venice ($$$)
American
Good for breakfast, brunch
Wine & bar
425 Washington Blvd, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
5 min walk
1025 S Fairfax Ave. Los Angeles CA. 90019
30 min drive
La Cienega Blvd, Clemson St, Los Angeles, CA 90016
19 min drive
119 Culver Blvd, Playa Del Rey, CA 90293
5 min drive
A restaurant and market - Samosa House is a family-owned & operated Indian Vegetarian & Vegan Restaurant chain situated in the heart of Southern California.
11510 Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066
10 min drive
Sampa’s Pizza Cafe ($$)
Pizza
Italian
Brazilian
534 Washington Blvd, Marina del Rey, CA 90292
2 min walk
4508 W Slauson Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90043
12 min drive
Persian/Iranian
Seafood
Mediterranean
507 Washington Blvd, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
2 min walk
New Mexican Cuisine
505 Washington Blvd, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
2 min walk
Venice Ramen ($$)
Ramen
515 Washington Blvd, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
3 min walk
-
Alans Market ($$)
Local grocery/deli
339 Washington Blvd, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
5 min walk
Erewhon ($$$)
Organic Store
585 Venice Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90291
6 min drive
3760 S Centinela Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90066
22 min drive
Ralphs ($$)
Grocery
4311 Lincoln Blvd, Marina del Rey, CA 90292
7 min drive
Whole Foods Market ($$$)
225 Lincoln Blvd, Venice, CA 90291
10 min drive
-
CVS Pharmacy
13171 Mindanao Way, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
10 min drive
Marina Del Rey Pharmacy
4558 South Admiralty Way, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
9 min drive
Walgreens
4009 Lincoln Blvd, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
5 min drive
-
A mile long strip of the latest fashion, art and food just minutes from Venice Beach, California.
1661 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291
13 min drive
Crenshaw Boulevard and Leimert Park is the center of Los Angeles’ Black community. This village includes museums, black-owned coffee shops, and retail stores.
4317 Degnan Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90008
20 min drive
Just two blocks from the beach, friendly Main Street Santa Monica shopping centers around diverse shops and galleries, all where many locals can be spotted walking their dogs, sipping coffee or perusing the many shops.
3110 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90405
18 min drive
Full of boutiques and thrift stores
709 N La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038
35 min drive
The Grove/The Original Farmers Market
6333 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90036
35 min drive
Need Help?
If during the conference you have a question or a concern, you may email us at hello@ascendcities.com or text us at 208-953-9830.
These are folk at the conference that can directly answer your questions.
Evaluation
We are excited to hear your feedback on the Conference. Please fill out the form at the end of the Conference. Thank you for attending, see you next year!