EL CHICANo Weekly
Vol 62, NO. 46
September 04, 2025
State of Inland Empire Entrepreneurship Calls for Capital: Declaring Entrepreneurship as Workforce Development By Manny Sandoval
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he future of the Inland Empire’s economy depends on empowering local entrepreneurs with the resources they need to succeed, according to leaders at the inaugural State of the Inland Empire Entrepreneurship Address & Awards.
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Held August 23 at Entrepreneur High School and hosted by the Time for Change Foundation’s Black and Brown Opportunity for Profit (BBOP) Academy, the event spotlighted the vital role of small businesses in shaping the region’s resilience and growth.
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PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL Shannon Martin beams with joy as she accepts The EmpowerHer Award for The GuudSeed Company during the awards portion of the event.
“We’re super excited to be here today because we want to let the Inland Empire know about what is going on with entrepreneurship and why it’s so important,” said Vanessa Perez, executive director of the BBOP Academy. “It’s important to us because we know that small businesses and entrepreneurs build our local economy. Everything we need to develop this city is right here…we have
the gifts, we have the talents. But what they need is information and capital—so we’re here to talk about that and share resources.” Perez stressed that entrepreneurship is workforce development, urging the community to invest in the entrepreneurs who keep local economies alive. “Let’s get together and make sure we pour into the local businesses that are here so that they can feel appreciated and be developed and stay in this community because everything we need is right here,” she said. Leslie Galvan, communications coordinator for the BBOP Center, said the organization aims to anchor itself as a leader in entrepreneurial development by connecting small businesses and students alike with practical tools and mentorship. “The BBOP center wants to establish itself as a thought leader here in the entrepreneurial space,” Galvan said. BBOP Academy, cont. on next pg.
San Bernardino Library Launches Free Legal Aid Sept. 9 for Housing, Benefits, and Expungements Inclusive Public Safety Model for People with Disabilities Pg. 5
Inland ZM Trucks Opens Empire Community Fontana HQ, Debuts Newspapers Zero-Emission ZM8 Office: (909) 381-9898 Commercial Truck Editorial: iecn1@mac.com
PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL Attorneys will begin offering free legal aid at the Norman F. Feldheym Central Library, 555 W. 6th Street, San Bernardino, starting Sept. 9.
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HOW TO REACH US Inland Empire Community Newspapers Office: (909) 381-9898 Editorial: iecn1@mac.com Advertising: iecn1@mac.com Legals: iecnlegals@gmail.com
Community News
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he City of San Bernardino Public Library has partnered with the Inland Counties Legal Services (ICLS) to offer free legal services to library patrons at the Norman F. Feldheym Central Library. The program, called Lawyers in the Library, will launch on September 9 from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Lawyers in the Library will provide assis-
tance with legal issues including consumer law, housing, public benefits, elder law, simple estate planning, and expungements. If necessary, participating attorneys will also be able to refer community members to outside resources for other legal related questions. “The reality is that most Californians don’t get help with the civil legal issues they’re facing, “said ICLS Executive Director Tessie Solorzano. “By bringing lawyers to libraries, we can help neighbors
navigate tough situations and assert their rights, whether they’re facing an eviction, a consumer debt lawsuit, or other legal issue.” Unlike criminal cases, civil cases do not have guaranteed access to an attorney. Instead, residents who cannot afford or access a lawyer are often left to face their issues alone. With the Lawyers in the Library program, legal aid organizations Legal Aid, Cont. on next pg.