PACE’s annual Lunar New Year Luncheon & Celebration gathered local leaders, partners, and community members to ring in the Year of the Horse and celebrate Los Angeles’ small business community.
Held on February 26, 2026 at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center (JACCC), the event celebrated the work of PACE Business and the achievements of its clients.
Hosted by Jessica Ku Kim, Chief Deputy of the LA County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), the event featured PACE-supported small businesses, inspiring remarks from government and community leaders, and a lively lion dance to honor the New Year.
The program opened with remarks from PACE President & CEO, Kerry Doi, who reaffirmed PACE’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurs as a vital part of its mission to expand economic opportunity.
Attendees also heard remarks from Elmy Bermejo, Director of the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA), and Andy Nakahata, Executive Director and CEO of the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (IBank). Both speakers encouraged business owners to seek support and take advantage of available resources from organizations like PACE, CalOSBA, and IBank.
The luncheon recognized four PACE Business clients—Au Lac, Be Bright Coffee, Garuda Promo, and YW Rising Builders Inc.—who showcased their products and services at the event. Their participation underscored how local entrepreneurs can thrive when equipped with the resources and technical support provided by organizations like PACE.
The event also honored two champions of community empowerment:
- Champion of Change Award – This award was presented to U.S. Bank for their long-standing commitment to supporting small businesses and providing critical investment in programs that advance inclusive economic growth. George Tanaka, a Senior Vice President at U.S. Bank, accepted the award.
- Small Business Honoree – Be Bright Coffee was recognized as PACE’s Small Business Honoree. When founders Frank and Michelle La first came to PACE in 2021, they were first‑time business owners with a fast‑growing online coffee shop and Smorgasburg LA pop-up. With counseling and financing support from PACE, they opened their first brick-and-mortar café on Melrose Avenue, launched a roastery, and are now preparing to open a third location.
Watch this video to learn more about the inspiring story of Be Bright Coffee.
Thank you to all our partners and supporters for making this year’s Lunar New Year Luncheon a success! As we enter the Year of the Horse, we look forward to another year of empowering small businesses and our Los Angeles community.
