Social Equity LA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization advancing social, racial, and economic justice through equitable access, inclusion, community-centered education, and transformative public policy. We work at the intersection of community empowerment and systemic change to address historic inequities that continue to impact Black, Indigenous, and communities of color, women, trans and gender-nonconforming people, immigrant communities, justice-impacted individuals, and other historically marginalized groups across Greater Los Angeles and the State of California.
Rooted in principles of equity, reparative justice, and collective liberation, Social Equity LA champions strategies that ensure key industries, public systems, and economic opportunities are designed and implemented to repair harm, redistribute power, and create pathways for community ownership, wealth building, and long-term wellbeing.
Founded in 2018 by community advocate Luis Rivera, Social Equity LA emerged out of the urgent need for a coordinated, grassroots-driven movement to transform economic and workforce development systems in Los Angeles through an equity lens. From its beginning, Social Equity LA has built bridges between impacted communities, policy makers, labor partners, businesses and local institutions to dismantle barriers and expand equitable opportunities.
Luis Rivera’s leadership is informed by lived experience and a deep commitment to restorative justice, community accountability, and equitable access to public and economic systems for communities long excluded from decision-making.
Social Equity LA’s mission is to eliminate systemic barriers and expand just, equitable, and meaningful access to public policy, workforce participation, economic opportunity, and community resources for historically marginalized and disinvested communities throughout Los Angeles County and the State of California..
We work to ensure that public systems and economic structures serve the health, dignity, and self-determination of every individual, especially those most impacted by racial, economic, and criminal justice inequities.
Our vision is a Los Angeles where all communities—especially communities of color, justice-impacted individuals, women, LGBTQ+ people, immigrant families, and under-resourced neighborhoods—have equitable power, health, wealth, and opportunity.
We envision a future in which community members are equipped, resourced, and empowered to lead thriving lives, build generational wealth, and shape the industries and systems that impact their lives.