Sen. Smallwood-Cuevas Leads Summit to Create Equitable Access to Good Jobs in Emerging Industries
State Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Los Angeles) convened more than 75 leaders of labor, business and the public sectors at LA Trade Technical College on Friday for a first-of-its-kind summit focused on expanding equitable access to good paying jobs in three emerging industries – Green Infrastructure, Cannabis, and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Led by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas, the summit served as a call-to-action to develop a long-term workforce equity strategy tailored to California’s rapidly changing economy. Co-hosted by the UCLA Labor Center, the event featured workforce equity experts who led discussions on finding actionable solutions for driving job growth and economic mobility across California, particularly in underserved communities.
“In this moment of tariffs, federal layoffs and a weaker economy, California families are terrified,” said Senator Smallwood-Cuevas. “That is why I organized this summit – to bring together the expertise and perspectives of labor, business and government leaders to begin shaping a future where all workers and all communities can thrive.”
The summit opened with a workforce equity panel discussion featuring Senator Smallwood-Cuevas and notable guest speakers Capri Maddox, Executive Director of the LA Civil Rights Department; Dr. Manuel Pastor, Professor of Sociology and American Studies & Ethnicity at USC; Dr. Steven Pitts, former Associate Director of the UC Berkeley Labor Center; and Saba Waheed, Director of the UCLA Labor Center. Following the panel, attendees participated in breakout sessions focused on strategies to create high-quality jobs within emerging industries. A closing plenary session synthesized the ideas into actionable steps for advancing sector-specific job opportunities.
As a key next step, the UCLA Labor Center will develop a comprehensive summary report that captures policy recommendations, stakeholder insights, and a roadmap for building long-term workforce equity in Senate District 28. The report is expected to be released in May and will serve as a foundation for legislative and community-driven efforts led by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas.
“We can’t ignore the long history of discrimination and bias that has led to deep disparities in employment and wages,” said Senator Smallwood-Cuevas. “An equitable workforce is not just the right thing to do, it’s how we create a level playing field and build an economy that works for everyone.”
Senator Lola Smallwood Cuevas represents the 28th Senate District, which includes the communities of South Los Angeles, Mid City, Culver City, West Los Angeles, Century City and Downtown Los Angeles. Senator Smallwood-Cuevas spent more than two decades serving as a worker rights and racial equity advocate before her election to the State Senate. She resides in the View Park community of South Los Angeles with her family.
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