Thirty Community Leaders Glow Up in Thrive City

San Francisco CA

05 April, 2021

10:11 AM

Description

Over the past year, the COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted individuals and small businesses alike. According to the JPMC Institute, small business revenues and expenses dropped sharply at the beginning of the pandemic, and they remain down year-over-year. After over a year of uncertainty, we could all use some self-care. To thank our local leaders for the work they've done supporting our community throughout the pandemic, and in celebration of Women's Empowerment Month, the Golden State Warriors and Chase hosted a pampered spa pop-up at Thrive City last Saturday. During the event, with social distanced safety procedures in place, women-owned small businesses provided a spa experience to 30 community leaders who have made a significant impact on their communities over the past year throughout the pandemic. Sowa Wellness, as well as Chase for Business clients Esscents of Flowers, Pampered Nail Bar Too, Rough Linen and Juice Beauty provided services such as hair styling, manicures, massages, gifts and more, as a thank you to these hard working community members. Among the leaders present was Melinda Yee Franklin, West Region Executive for Community Engagement at JPMorgan Chase, who expressed excitement and encouragement at seeing the local community coming together and showing their support for each other and local businesses, especially during such uncertain times. San Francisco Chamber of Commerce CEO Rodney Fong also shared, "just being with the Golden State Warriors at the Chase Center with the Warriors and Chase Spa Pop Up team was uplifting, as San Francisco begins to re-open with optimistic energy. " At the end of the day, the small business owners were surprised with a $5,000 grant from JPMorgan Chase to help them continue to grow their business efforts. "It's important to be there for these small businesses that have such an impact in the local community and are ultimately the backbone of our economy," added Franklin. "JPMorgan Chase continues to be there for our clients and this fun spa day was a unique opportunity to thank our neighbors for all they've done throughout this time of uncertainty." This spa pop-up at Thrive City was one of several activations hosted by Chase and the Warriors throughout March, aimed at empowering girls and women to rise above and challenge socio-economic norms that exist today through amplifying voices in the fight for an equal playing field. These Women's Empowerment Month celebrations included: Warriors and Chase delivered 2,000 hot meals from Oakland-based Chase small business client restaurants Cosecha and Wingstop to East Oakland Community Project, Oakland Elizabeth House, Operation Dignity, Monument Crisis Center and White Pony Express, as part of the Home Court Assist program.Through the Future Leaders program, young girls from Girls Inc. were paired with mentors from the Warriors' Employee Resource Group "Women of the Warriors" and Rakuten employees to help them grow their confidence and understand their true potential.Multiple webinar series were offered to the local community, including a Women's Panel, a self-defense class, and an Allyship Panel.PlaymakeHER, presented by Chase, an invite-only virtual event, was aimed to address perceptions, challenges and barriers women face in the fight for equality. Panelists included US Women's Hockey National Team's Hilary Knight, WNBA/Los Angeles Sparks,' Chiney Ogwumike, Olympic Fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad and Angela Colombani, Managing Director and Head of the Northern California Private Bank Healthcare Practice at JPMorgan Chase.Warriors Basketball Academy hosted an all-girls virtual player clinic led by female Academy coaches that featured Warriors video coordinator Leticia Galarza.