California Coalition Launches Immigrant Small Business Week

The campaign, backed by the California Community Foundation, aims to highlight the critical role immigrant entrepreneurs play in sustaining neighborhoods and driving the state economy. CA4US, a coalition representing labor, business, and civic leaders, is encouraging residents to actively patronize local immigrant-led shops, restaurants, and service providers throughout the designated week.

To mark the initiative, a press conference is scheduled for Tuesday, June 23, where business owners will gather to release cumulative data on the economic contributions of immigrant entrepreneurs. This push follows a period of significant disruption caused by enforcement activities, which resulted in the loss of approximately 743,000 workers across California. Miguel Santana, President and CEO of the California Community Foundation, emphasized that the week serves as a recognition of the daily contributions these individuals make to the fabric of the state. A directory of participating businesses is currently available on the coalition's website.