THE BUSINESS JOURNAL FOR
URBAN ENTREPRENEURS℠
Issa Rae, Somerville Restaurant.Credit : Neil Mockford/FilmMagic; Courtesy Somerville/GVO Hospitality
Somerville Marks One Year: A Celebration of History, Culture, and Community
(LOS ANGELES) Somerville recently celebrated their one-year anniversary—a remarkable milestone for a restaurant that has already earned a beloved place in South Central Los Angeles. In just twelve months, Somerville has become far more than a dining destination. It has become a cultural home, a community gathering space, and a living tribute to the history, artistry, and resilience that continue to define South LA.
Featured on the cover of Ebony earlier this year, Somerville celebrated as “master architects in the business of belonging.” For the Somerville team, this national acknowledgement was deeply meaningful. It represented validation not just of their vision, but of the cultural legacy they are preserving—one dish, one song, and one beautifully shared moment at a time.
Honoring the Past, Elevating the Present
Somerville was created as an ode to the South Central of yesterday—where culinary traditions, artistic expression, and cultural memory shaped a vibrant local identity. The space was intentionally designed to blend historical reverence with modern artistry, creating a place where food and memory move together in harmony.
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Davonne Reaves, Founder & CEO, Vesterr
Growing up in the South,
Davonne Reaves
could never have imagined owning hotels—let alone becoming one of the youngest African American women to co-own multiple hotel properties before turning the age of 40.
Read more →
Jason Gympfi and Richard Minor. Photo Credit: Instagram
A simple fashion item—the quarter-zip sweater—has quietly become a cultural moment across social media, capturing the imagination of Black boys and young men in cities across the country. What began as playful TikTok commentary has evolved into something that feels more intentional: a collective shift in how a new generation is presenting itself, expressing itself, and taking pride in how it shows up in the world. Read more →
URBAN ENTERPRISE | TRENDING
URBAN ENTERPRISE | TRENDING
URBAN ENTERPRISE | TRENDING
URBAN ENTERPRISE | TRENDING
URBAN ENTERPRISE | TRENDING
URBAN ENTERPRISE | TRENDING
Somerville Marks One Year:
A Celebration of History, Culture, and Community
(LOS ANGELES) Somerville recently celebrated their one-year anniversary—a remarkable milestone for a restaurant that has already earned a beloved place in South Central Los Angeles. In just twelve months, Somerville has become far more than a dining destination. It has become a cultural home, a community gathering space, and a living tribute to the history, artistry, and resilience that continue to define South LA. [read more]
Kevin Hart has proven once again that impact is bigger than celebrity. Through Gran Coramino® Tequila—co-owned with Juan Domingo Beckmann—Hart is using his platform to lift entrepreneurs who are building businesses rooted in community.
Growing up in the South, Davonne Reaves could never have imagined owning hotels—let alone becoming one of the youngest African American women to co-own multiple hotel properties before turning 40.
[read more]
A simple fashion item—the quarter-zip sweater—has quietly become a cultural moment across social media, capturing the imagination of Black boys and young men in cities across the country. What began as playful TikTok commentary has evolved into something that feels more intentional: a collective shift in how a new generation shows up in the world.
[read more]
Thasunda Brown Duckett Named to Most Powerful Women in Finance
When Thasunda Brown Duckett stepped into the role of president and CEO of TIAA, she wasn’t simply taking the helm of a financial institution—she was stepping into a national calling. Her leadership has consistently focused on expanding access, strengthening financial confidence, and ensuring that everyday people can retire with dignity.
Issa Rae, Somerville Restaurant.
Credit: Neil Mockford/FilmMagic; Courtesy Somerville/GVO Hospitality
Somerville Marks One Year: A Celebration of History, Culture, and Community
(LOS ANGELES) Somerville recently celebrated their one-year anniversary—a remarkable milestone for a restaurant that has already earned a beloved place in South Central Los Angeles. In just twelve months, Somerville has become far more than a dining destination. It has become a cultural home, a community gathering space, and a living tribute to the history, artistry, and resilience that continue to define South LA.
Featured on the cover of Ebony earlier this year, Somerville celebrated as “master architects in the business of belonging.” For the Somerville team, this national acknowledgement was deeply meaningful. It represented validation not just of their vision, but of the cultural legacy they are preserving—one dish, one song, and one beautifully shared moment at a time.
[read more]
URBAN ENTERPRISE | TRENDING
URBAN ENTERPRISE | TRENDING
URBAN ENTERPRISE | TRENDING
URBAN ENTERPRISE | TRENDING
Raising the Bar: How Uncle Nearest Became a Billion-Dollar Brand with Soul
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When Thasunda Brown Duckett stepped into the role of president and CEO of TIAA, she wasn’t simply taking the helm of a financial institution—she was stepping into a national calling. Her leadership has consistently focused on expanding access, strengthening financial confidence, and ensuring that everyday people can retire with dignity.
Now, she has been named to American Banker’s “Most Powerful Women in Finance” list—an acknowledgment of her bold leadership and her determination to make wealth-building attainable for every working American.
Read more →
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Business News
More Than a Game: Venus and Serena Williams Make NFL Ownership History
Thasunda Brown Duckett Named
to Most Powerful Women in Finance
When Thasunda Brown Duckett stepped into the role of president and CEO of TIAA, she wasn’t simply taking the helm of a financial institution—she was stepping into a national calling. Her leadership has consistently focused on expanding access, strengthening financial confidence, and ensuring that everyday people can retire with dignity.
read more
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Join Our Community!
Gain access to tools, resources, networking, and events designed to help you build, grow, and sustain your business or nonprofit. Connect with like-minded entrepreneurs and community leaders while gaining knowledge, support, and opportunities to move your vision forward.