Rebuilding Community After Disaster: What It Means To Create Solutions Rooted In Equity with Lizzy Okoro Davidson, Director of the Pasadena Women’s Business Center at PCC Episode 155

In anticipation of the 7th Annual Future of Work Conference to be held on October 28th 2025, Dr. Salvatrice Cummo brings back Lizzy Okoro Davidson, Director of the Pasadena Women’s Business Center at PCC and panel speaker, to touch on all the progress made by the center since opening its doors last year. Lizzy shares how the Women’s Business Center, with the full support of Pasadena City College, pivoted swiftly from fostering entrepreneurship to acting as a vital hub for recovery, connection, and hope for women and small business owners in the wake of the LA fires. Tune in for this sneak peek into the upcoming Future of Work conference as we explore how partnerships between community colleges and organizations like the Women’s Business Center play a crucial role in mobilizing for recovery and rebuilding after an unprecedented disaster.

 

You’ll learn:

• Why community is vital for entrepreneurs, especially during times of crisis, and what can be done to foster it where it does not currently exist.

• How the WBC is harnessing in-person community events, targeted education, and major funding support from philanthropic partners like Paris Hilton to empower women and small business owners.

• Why it is so important to focus on the unique landscape for women founders, focusing on leveraging their strengths and addressing systemic barriers.

• How WBC’s free accelerator programs are teaching small business owners to diversify revenue and build resilience, post-disaster.

About the Guest:

Lizzy Okoro Davidson is an LA-based entrepreneur, consultant, and public speaker who serves as the Director of the Women’s Business Center at Pasadena City College. With over a decade of experience in media, consulting, and public speaking, Lizzy has worked with leading brands such as Nike and Adidas. Before working with the Women’s Business Center, she founded Bunch Magazine in 2011. She has experience managing a team of 100+ creatives including writers, photographers, stylists and art directors in a dozen countries over the course of six years. Throughout her career, Lizzy has been dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs and fostering inclusive economic growth by providing the tools, resources, and support they need to thrive.

 

Engage with us:

JOIN THE FUTURE OF WORK CONFERENCE: https://pasadena.edu/community/economic-workforce-development/events.php

LinkedIn, Instagram & Facebook: @PasadenaCityCollegeEWD

Join our newsletter for more on this topic: ewdpulse.com

Visit: PCC EWD website

 

More from Lizzy Okoro Davidson & Pasadena Women's Business Center at PCC

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizzyokoro/ 

Website: https://www.lizzyokoro.com/ 

https://www.pasadenawbc.org/ 

 

 

Partner with us! Contact our host, Salvatrice Cummo, directly: [e-mail]

Want to be a guest on the show? Click HERE to inquire about booking 

 

Find the transcript of this episode here

 

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