On the evening of Thursday, March 10, The Los Angeles Times hosted its second annual Multicultural Business Forum in the Chandler Auditorium, of the Los Angeles Times Building.

Norm Nixon, Fox Sports Analyst and former NBA great, served as the keynote speaker for the evening. Prior to Nixon taking the stage, several business leaders representing the African American community participated in a panel discussion that allowed them to share their vast insight and business acumen with the those in attendance.

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The panelist included, Herbert Hudson, Founder, Roscoe’s House of Chicken and Waffles, Carl Dickerson, Founder and Chairman, Dickerson Employee Benefits, Lemuel Daniels, Vice President and Financial Advisor, Morgan Stanley, James Lott, Attorney Advisor, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Ron Lowe, Sr. Director, Finance, Los Angeles Mayor’s Office of Economic and Business Policy, Edna Sims, Founder, ESP Public Relations Firm and Kevin Hannahs, Regional Director, Los Angeles, H&R Block.

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The Los Angeles Times’ Multicultural Business Forums aim to inspire, empower and educate the various communities on growing their businesses. Attendees had the unique opportunity to have industry professionals answer questions that impact their particular business. The event was followed by a networking session open to all attendees.

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Celebrated television personality, Tanya Hart anchored the panel discussion and hosted the evening.

The text below represents excerpts taken from presentations delivered by Davan Maharaj, Editor and Publisher, The Los Angeles Times, Uriel Saenz, Vice President, Multicultural Development, The Los Angeles Times and Norm Nixon, Keynote Speaker, Former NBA Great and Investment Real Estate Executive.   

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“We are proud of our 134 year history. However, we are not your grandparents Los Angeles Times.”

“Since I was named Editor four years ago, we have focused our efforts in making the Los Angeles Times the primary destination for readers everywhere. Readers who are interested in Los Angeles California and the West. Los Angeles, I think is the most interesting city in the world and the most diverse. The Los Angeles Times should be able to tell these stories.”

“Here at the L.A. Times, I and my leadership team believe it’s essential that our newsroom properly reflects the community it serves. Recently we hired and assigned a reporter to cover Black Twitter, where many conversations we hear about later happen.”

“I know you’ve all heard about #OSCARSOWHITE, did you hear about #JOURNALISMSOWHITE? I’m pleased to share that our newsroom staff now is 32 percent non-white which is 3 times better than the average newsroom. We’re not stopping there.”

“With such a diverse population it’s no surprise that a majority of the businesses in L.A. County are minority owned, actually it’s 55 percent. California has the most minority owned business in the nation, 1.6 million. At this business forum our goal is to connect this communities entrepreneurs and business owners with the resources that will inspire and encourage you.”

“We hope that you enjoy the program that has been prepared for you this evening and get the information you need to start, sustain and grow your business. And of course we hope that you continue to read and partner with us at the Los Angeles Times.”  Davan Maharaj, Publish and Editor, The Los Angeles Times

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The goal of the Los Angeles Times is not just to celebrate African Americans, but to move African American businesses forward. That is the intent of the Multicultural Business Forum.  

“Our first Multicultural Business Forum was focused on the Latino business community. We had a great response from both media and attendees. For our second event our focus is on the African American business community. What a better way to move culture forward, than through business.” Uriel Saenz, Vice President, Multicultural Development, Los Angeles Times.

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“What I challenge young business people to do is to prepare yourself for success.”

“In sports the definition of conditioning is that you run until you get tired. Most people quite when they get tired. In order to win, you can’t quit when you get tired.”

“Understand your teammates and colleagues. Give your team the opportunity to do their best. know your competition and have the ability to make decisions in real time. Finally condition yourself to win.” Norm Nixon, Keynote Speaker,  Former NBA Great and Investment Real Estate Executive.

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