Selena Gray brings many years of experience to the Los Angeles Urban League Entrepreneurship Center (LAUL-EC) to help increase the success and longevity of African-American and other ethnically diverse businesses across South Los Angeles. As Director of Entrepreneurship and Economic Development for the Los Angeles Urban League, Gray is responsible for the overall management of the Urban League’s Entrepreneurship Center which supports community-based investment and growth through facilitating entrepreneurship and business development.

Gray began her career in the construction industry with one of the largest African American general contractors in the region.  Selena has worked with clients such as the University of Chicago, Advocate Health Care, and McDonald’s.  She has also taught Construction Costs & Bidding at Purdue University Calumet and Dawson Technical Institute of the City Colleges of Chicago and has mentored young people interested in the construction industry. 

While Gray was with the Chicago Urban League Entrepreneurship Center, she worked with her team to develop and launch the Midwest Regional Teaming Program (MRTP), the organization’s first multi-state entrepreneurship program.  Under her leadership, the MRTP reached over 60 small business owners across 9 states to help form 16 small business teams which have been awarded over $100 million in Federal contracts.  The CULEC team also managed and implemented four additional signature programs including nextSTEP, the Chicago Housing Authority Business Entrepreneurship Development Program (CHA BEDP), nextLEVEL, and the Chicago Contractor Development Program.  Along with on-site counseling provided by SCORE, these programs touched over 500 businesses annually.

The Metro Business Solution Center and Vermont Slauson Economic Development Center encourages Crenshaw area businesses to take advantage of the following training programs.

Upcoming Classes & Events

Crenshaw Montessori Academy

Starting a business involves planning, making key financial decisions and completing a series of legal activities. These 10 easy steps provided by the small business association can help you plan, prepare and manage your business. Click on the link to learn more.

https://www.sba.gov/content/follow-these-steps-starting-business

http://www.bizjournals.com/bizjournals/how-to/video/twanNvZTpb_mPCR24X4yKPoqQHPEzpNe