Over the past 10 years, SLATE-Z has played a crucial role in revitalizing South Los Angeles by helping connect residents with economic opportunities and establishing coalitions to advocate for and implement meaningful changes in policy that positively impact the lives of Angelenos.
Together, we deployed the levers of change while maintaining a consistent focus on social justice, environmental equity, and racial equity as our north star.
As we look toward the future, which includes the sunsetting of the Promise Zone designation in 2026 followed by a new national focus, it has become clear that our partners—all of whom have built strong organizational foundations under the collaborative umbrella of SLATE-Z—are best-positioned to carry forward this important work.
We will strategically transition the work that SLATE-Z has undertaken for nearly a decade to the various partner agencies that have built the capacity to continue, deepen and expand upon the mission of revitalizing South Los Angeles through economic opportunity. However, now more than ever, we must remember where we started to help guide us on the road ahead.
As the region prepares for the next chapter in our story, Excellence in Innovation - the local management advisory firm that supports social impact leaders – has prepared the SLATE-Z Impact Report. This report documents SLATE-Z’s accomplishments, and will serve as a starting point and data source for other organizations and stakeholders who continue the work of advancing social, economic and environmental justice in South LA.
We are deeply grateful for the work of current and former team members for their immense contributions to SLATE-Z and to the greater South LA community. Many thanks also to LA Trade Tech who served as the home of SLATE-Z, to our community partners, to our civic leaders, our financial supporters, to the Strategic Plan Committee and to the community leaders who agreed to be interviewed for the SLATE-Z Impact Report.
Just as importantly, thank you to each of your ongoing partnership, support and dedication to our collective impact strategy, and for being a part of this journey. It has been such a pleasure doing this important work alongside all of you, and no doubt our paths will cross again.
In solidarity,
The SLATE-Z Team
Universal Basic Mobility Pilot Program wins SCAG "Outstanding Achievement in Sustainability" award
South Los Angeles Transit Empowerment Zone (SLATE-Z) is a historic and unprecedented cross-sector collective impact effort with over 100 public, private, academic, and community partners.
Our mission is to revitalize South Los Angeles by moving residents to economic opportunity.
We envision a South LA that is a safe, healthy place to live, play, grow, and thrive. We are building a climate-resilient community with a dynamic local economy, living wage jobs, high-achieving students, safe streets, green spaces, and accessible public transportation.
““The SLATE-Z plan is rooted in strategies for ensuring physical and economic mobility for geographically and economically isolated communities. It will succeed by building strong public and private pathways between educational and job training agencies so more students receive a high-quality education that leads to long-term educational and career success. This investment in education will attract high-growth sectors that create living wage jobs and align education, career, and job-training initiatives along South L.A.’s transit corridors. It also aims to build neighborhood economies, safer communities, and healthy families and individuals.””
March 2023
