Bay Area

Kaiser Supports Small Businesses Recovering from COVID-19 Pandemic

Inner City Capital Connections provides free training, coaching and connection to capital for businesses looking to rebuild and rehire

Published

5 years ago

May 18, 2021

Mia Lane

Many small business owners in underserved communities are still struggling from the economic fallout due to the COVID-19 pandemic and need additional support to rebuild and recover.

Kaiser Permanente Northern California is partnering with the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC) on a virtual program that offers small businesses a tuition-free, 40–hour mini-MBA program that combines executive education, webinars, coaching and connection to capital.

The Inner City Capital Connections program (ICCC) helps small businesses in underserved communities build the capacity they need to grow and create new jobs. Kaiser Permanente has partnered with ICIC since 2016 providing support to more than 1,700 businesses and creating more than 2,000 jobs. Of the 1,786 businesses that have participated in the program, 66% wereminority-owned and 58% were owned by women.

Businesses selected to participate will complete a training and coaching program. Kaiser Permanente Northern California is sponsoring the ICCC program to support small businesses, spur job growth and improve the health of the communities we serve.

A 2020 Health Crisis survey conducted by ICIC found 71% of business owners who responded experienced revenue loss, 33% laid off employees and 90% received some type of government financial assistance due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Kaiser Permanente recognizes how difficult the COVID-19 pandemic has been for many of the small businesses in our communities that struggled over the past year,” said Carrie OwenPlietz, FACHE, president of Kaiser Permanente’s Northern California region. “Economic opportunity is a key driver of health. Our communities must be economically vibrant to improve individuals’ health outcomes and reduce health disparities for all residents, including our members.”

Nominations are open for the first cohort of the virtual program, which will be held in July. The program is open to businesses throughout Northern California who meet program qualifications and are selected following an application process. The deadline to apply or nominate a small business is May 28, 2021.

The ICCC program includes an interactive virtual, two-day seminar series that focuses on business recovery strategies and information on capital and technical assistance resources.

The program also includes webinars, one-on-one coaching with distinguished business leaders,and culminates with a conference for program graduates. Participants leave the program with the tools they need to help their businesses survive, recover and grow.

In 2020, ICCC served 1,220 businesses in 17 markets with 74% identifying as minority-owned business owners and 61% as women-owned businesses.

“I would not be where I am today from a strategy and a revenue perspective if it weren’t for the fact that I was exposed to these seminars and webinars,” said Julio Ortiz, business partner for Gaspachos in Sacramento, which participated in the ICCC program in 2019. “Kaiser and ICCC are doing amazing work out in the community.”

About Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC)

ICIC is a national, nonprofit research and advisory organization founded in 1994. ICIC’s mission is to drive economic prosperity in America’s inner cities through private sector investment to create jobs, income and wealth for residents. www.icic.org

Mia Lane

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Seth Curry Makes Impressive Debut with the Golden State Warriors

Seth looked comfortable in his new uniform, seamlessly fitting into the Warriors’ offensive and defensive system. He finished the night with an impressive 14 points, becoming one of the team’s top scorers for the game. Seth’s points came in a variety of ways – floaters, spot-up three-pointers, mid-range jumpers, and a handful of aggressive drives that kept the Oklahoma City Thunder defense on its heels.

Published

4 days ago

December 4, 2025

Oakland Post

Seth Curry is a point guard on the GSW team.Photo courtesy of the Golden State Warriors.

By Y’Anad Burrell

Tuesday night was anything but ordinary for fans in San Francisco as Seth Curry made his highly anticipated debut as a new member of the Golden State Warriors. Seth didn’t disappoint, delivering a performance that not only showcased his scoring ability but also demonstrated his added value to the team.

At 35, the 12-year NBA veteran on Monday signed a contract to play with the Warriors for the rest of the season.

One of the most memorable moments of the evening came before Seth even scored his first points. As he checked into the game, the Chase Center erupted into applause, with fans rising to their feet to give the newest Warrior a standing ovation.

The crowd’s reaction was a testament not only to Seth’s reputation as a sharpshooter but also to the excitement he brings to the Warriors. It was clear that fans quickly embraced Seth as one of their own, eager to see what he could bring to the team’s championship aspirations.

Warriors’ superstar Steph Curry – Seth’s brother – did not play due to an injury. One could only imagine what it would be like if the Curry brothers were on the court together. Magic in the making.

Seth’s debut proved to be a turning point for the Warriors. Not only did he contribute on the scoreboard, but he also brought a sense of confidence and composure to the floor.

While their loss last night, OKC 124 – GSW 112, Seth’s impact was a game-changer and there’s more yet to come. Beyond statistics, it was clear that Seth’s presence elevated the team’s performance, giving the Warriors a new force as they look to make a deep playoff run.