Creative Equity Initiative

Income inequality

South Bay West LA Central LA South LA San Gabriel Valley San Fernando Valley Long Beach County of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a countywide benefit) City of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a citywide benefit)

Applying a proven solution to a new issue or sector (using an existing model, tool, resource, strategy, etc. for a new purpose)

Income inequality in Los Angeles is deeply rooted in systemic barriers that limit access to financial tools, legal infrastructure, and business development support—especially for BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and other underserved communities in the creative economy. These individuals often work as independent contractors or small business owners, yet lack access to the foundational resources needed to formalize their businesses, pursue funding, or grow their income sustainably. Our understanding of this issue is grounded in the reality that many creative professionals are excluded from economic opportunities not because of a lack of talent or drive, but because they were never given the support systems to thrive. The absence of financial literacy, legal knowledge, and tailored technical assistance perpetuates income gaps and prevents creatives from stabilizing their livelihoods. Our initiative addresses both the symptoms and root causes of income inequality in this vital sector of LA’s economy.

The Creative Equity Initiative is designed to address income inequality in Los Angeles' creative sector by offering no-cost technical assistance, business education, and access-to-capital support to underrepresented creatives—specifically BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and low-income individuals working in fields like fashion, music, photography, performing arts, media, and more. Through this initiative, our team will provide hands-on support to over 200 individuals and small businesses annually by:
Hosting 8-10 public workshops and virtual events on topics such as financial literacy, capital funding, taxes, legal compliance, and creative entrepreneurship.
Offering 1-on-1 and small group business coaching to address challenges like improper legal setup, missing tax documentation, or limited financial knowledge—all of which can prevent access to contracts or funding.
Assisting participants in preparing and applying for grants, loans, and creative commissions that can increase their income potential.
By closing knowledge and infrastructure gaps, this program directly tackles root causes of income inequality in the creative economy, ensuring participants gain the tools, support, and confidence needed to grow sustainable, income-generating careers.

If our work is successful, Los Angeles County’s creative economy will become more equitable, sustainable, and inclusive. Underserved artists, freelancers, and creative entrepreneurs—particularly those who are BIPOC, LGBTQ+, or low-income—will have access to the financial tools, legal structure, and business training needed to grow thriving enterprises. More creatives will qualify for funding, secure contracts, and establish long-term business stability. As a result, the creative sector will experience an increase in job creation, wealth-building, and representation from historically excluded communities. By investing in the backbone of LA’s cultural identity, we’ll help transform inequality into opportunity, making Los Angeles a national model for inclusive creative industry development.