Where Healing Sparks Opportunity

Access to tech and creative industry employment

South LA

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

In Los Angeles, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, immigrant, and refugee communities are disproportionately impacted by anxiety, depression, and economic instability. Nearly 50% of California adults report stress-related symptoms, and those pursuing holistic healing work often face systemic barriers to turning their gifts into sustainable businesses—lacking access to mentorship, digital tools, financial literacy, and community support. Traditional mental health systems often overlook culturally rooted care, leaving gaps in both personal healing and professional development. With research showing that practices like breathwork and sound healing reduce cortisol and build resilience, Zula Den fills a critical need—offering free wellness experiences alongside training, co-working, and entrepreneurial support. As mental health challenges rise and creative economies shift, now is the time to invest in healing-centered, community-powered models that integrate both wellness and opportunity.

The Zula Project will expand its wellness and entrepreneurship initiative to address mental health disparities and business barriers facing BIPOC, LGBTQ+, immigrant, and refugee communities in Los Angeles. With LA2050 support, we will host 4 free Community Wellness Soirées, building on our last gathering which welcomed over 1,000 registered participants via Eventbrite. Our annual reach goal is 1,500+ actual attendees, with offerings including sound and ice baths, breathwork, intuitive art sessions, meditation, and somatic offerings including bodywork. We will provide 100+ free or sliding-scale healing sessions and increase monthly programming by 30%, adding culturally relevant workshops in holistic health, mindfulness, and self-care. Outreach will prioritize underserved communities, aiming for at least 40% of participants from marginalized backgrounds. We will also expand holistic business support through peer-led co-working sessions, guest talks with successful wellness entrepreneurs, and hands-on workshops in digital presence, business planning, pricing with integrity, and financial literacy. These sessions will help creatives turn their healing gifts into sustainable offerings. Zula’s model bridges wellness and workforce readiness. This grant will scale our impact, strengthen community resilience, and create lasting access to healing and opportunity.

When Zula Den is successful, LA County will be a place where access to wellness, creative entrepreneurship, and economic opportunity is equitable, inclusive, culturally relevant, and community-led. By October 2026, our programming will have supported thousands through free healing events, co-working sessions, and mentorship, and helped dozens of BIPOC, LGBTQ+, immigrant, and refugee creatives launch or grow sustainable wellness-based businesses. Our model transforms passion into livelihood through training in digital media, financial literacy, and peer-supported growth. As demand increases, we will replicate this model in other neighborhoods, train emerging facilitators, and build long-term partnerships. Zula Den will be recognized as a trusted anchor where people come to heal, connect, and thrive. This is more than access—it’s a movement that redefines who gets to lead in LA’s wellness and creative economy. We speak this vision with deep gratitude, knowing it is already unfolding.