The Crenshaw Chamber of Commerce is committed to the development of the Crenshaw Corridor as a matrix for commerce and culture that attracts economic investment, tourism, and fosters community pride.

The Chamber creates a mechanism to increase the economic development for new and small businesses by providing access to technical assistance, collective networking, support and training.

The Crenshaw Chamber of Commerce develops a value-added partnership with other city chambers, businesses, corporations and residents within the community. The Chamber keeps abreast of city, county, and state legislation and ordinances that affect the growth and business endeavors of the Crenshaw Corridor.

Established in 1933, the Crenshaw Chamber of Commerce has been a viable presence in the Crenshaw area for almost 80 years. It represents the Crenshaw Corridor, which is bounded by Washington Boulevard on the north, Western Avenue on the east, La Cienega Blvd. on the west and Florence Avenue on the south.

The area is populated by hundreds of small and major businesses, including a major shopping mall, the The Rave Theatre complex, and major banking institutions and food chains. It is also a popular tourist destinations and tourists regularly visit Leimert Park Village, West Angeles Cathedral and other popular sites.

The primary focus of the Crenshaw Chamber of Commerce is to empower businesses and promote commerce. It conducts business leadership training through seminars, retreats and service activities. It markets the Crenshaw trade area to commercial entities seeking business locations, and works closely with the Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau in promoting cultural tourism destinations.

The Crenshaw Chamber of Commerce is also concerned about the people, especially its youth. It provides job training and referrals to area youth; awards scholarships to local high school music departments; promotes culture and entertainment through its annual Summer Breeze Music Festival; and is the link between government and business community and its residents, working together to make the Crenshaw communities equal to any.

By Olu Alemoru, Staff Writer

Having succeeded Michael S. Jones as president of the Crenshaw Chamber of Commerce three months ago, it's been business as usual for private political consultant Armen D. Ross.

The L.A. native, who is also president of the consultancy firm The Ross Group, Inc. (TRG) — which does business as the Grumpy Old Men — aims to continue where Jones left off in growing the Chamber's membership and positioning the organization as the most influential business organization in the Crenshaw and South L.A. district.

That was evident last week as Councilman Bernard Parks was the keynote speaker at the Chamber's luncheon, delivering a tough economic assessment of the conditions for commerce in the area.

"I was elected in November as a result of a vote by the board of directors, which was subsequently approved by the entire Chamber, and they also appointed Gary Kynard as my vice president" said Ross, himself a member for the past six years. "Mike built the Chamber up over the past seven years to over 235 members, and we'd like to double that. We've established a nice 21st century approach to being a member by connecting with a web company that allows us to provide websites for our members at no cost.

"They are able to advertise their businesses worldwide and we averaged over three million hits last year, with some of our members getting hundreds of thousands of hits throughout the year."

In leading the way for the Chamber, Ross is confident that they can take full advantage of the renaissance of the Crenshaw corridor, with the rejuvenation of the Baldwin Hills Plaza and the transit investment of the Expo and incoming Crenshaw LAX light rail lines.

"Crenshaw was very unique in the 60's and 70's, it was thriving, but like the economy of South L.A. it went down, but now it's making a comeback," he said. "We've got several Starbucks, Wallgreens, a Wal-mart, there's a Chipoltle coming and a Target. This corridor is critical to this part of L.A, and the African-American community in particular.

"The majority of affluent African-Americans live in or near Baldwin Hills, but unfortunately we don't have [enough] of the services to support their needs, like quality restaurants and high end fashionable stores."

Ross added: "Yes, I know we have Post & Beam, Maverick Flats and Harold & Belle's, but we need more variety; Mexican, Chinese, Japanese, Seafood. We're hoping more economic development will bring these high end retailers for people with money to spend. If you don't think people haven't got money, just try to buy a house in View Park."

A graduate of Washington High School, West L.A. Community College and UCLA, where he studied law, Ross eschewed a legal career to spend 25 years in public service.

Getting his start as Assistant Chief of Staff to former L.A. Councilman Nate Holden, Ross served as Deputy Mayor and Director for Homelessness for Mayor Kenneth Hahn.

"I retired from city government in 2005 when Hahn didn't win reelection against Villaraigosa," he recalled. "Then I partnered with some guys, professionals in the city, who provide services to clients with business and projects before local, state and federal government entities. The company was already known as Grumpy Old Men. Most of the time I'm not grumpy, unless you catch me too early in the morning without a cup of coffee."