"I think that people forget that. These small businesses, they're the ones that are sponsoring your sports teams, which are helping with school things, and that are doing fundraisers that are giving back to the community all the time." - Rebecca Bertoldi

When COVID-19 hit, we launched a series to spotlight the small businesses that sustain our communities. Five years on, many are still rebuilding. This highlight episode revisits candid conversations with policymakers, advisors, and owners about what truly helped—and what must happen next.

Top Problems

• Financing gaps & collapsing revenue put leases, payroll, and inventory at risk.
• Technology barriers slowed the pivot to online sales and services.
• Minimal cash reserves left micro and solo enterprises exposed.

Top Solutions

• SBA pathways: PPP (including second draw), EIDL working capital, and SBA debt relief that covered principal and interest for existing borrowers.
• Hands-on technical assistance: devices, training, and coaching to move operations online and reach customers.
• Community-led purchasing: direct takeout, gift cards, curated boxes, catering, and pop-ups to keep dollars local.

Show Guests

• Julie Clowes, District Director, Small Business Administration's San Francisco District Office
• Tim Russell, Program Director, Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center
• Sharon Miller, Chief Executive Officer, Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center
• Pierre Coeurdeuil, Director of Advising & Education, SFMade
• Amanda Fried, Chief of Policy and Communications, Treasurer for the City and County of San Francisco
• Adam Fowler, founding partner, CVL Economics
• Kristin Houk Owner of All Good Pizza, TATO, Café Alma
• Rebecca Bertoldi, Rebecca Bertoldi Marketing
• Pooja Rajani, Director of Programs, En 2 Action
• Laurie Thomas, Executive Director, Golden Gate Restaurant Association
• Shannon Walter, Manager, Blue Plate SF
• Jeff Trenam, Owner, Blue Plate SF
• Michelle Pusateri, Owner, Nana Joes Granola
• Andrea Baker, Founder, En 2 Action

Show Hosts

• Eric Estrada / Co-Host/ VOC
• George Koster/Producer/Host Voices of the Community

Why listen
You’ll hear what it really took to survive: from emergency capital and city tax relief to e-commerce pivots and neighborhood solidarity. Owners share the stress, the ingenuity, and the lessons they want every community to remember.

Take action
After you listen, do one thing to strengthen your local economy:
• Order direct from neighborhood restaurants and makers (skip third-party delivery when you can).
• Buy gift cards or curated boxes, book local catering for meetings and events.
• Donate or volunteer with the support organizations featured in this episode.
• Share this episode with a friend who loves small businesses as much as you do.

🎧 Listen now | 📺 Watch the episodes | 💬 Get involved!

For more information, guest details, and resources from this episode, visit our episode web page

Make a Donation: Support Voices of the Community, fiscally sponsored by Intersection for the Arts, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and enjoy tax deductions for your contributions.

Newsletter: Sign up to stay updated on future episodes and events

Delve deeper into the Voices of the Community Series on Arts & Culture, Making the Invisible Visible, Covid-19's impact on nonprofits, small enterprises and local government, the City of Stockton's rise from the ashes of bankruptcy, and our archives:You can explore episodes, speakers, organizations, and resources through each series web page. Watch and learn from all five series now!,

“We talk about that nihilistic mindset… what it means to grow up in a community that has that mindset and how that affects them. You have to be honest with them, though, that this is real. This is why y’all are dying.” - Anthony Rodriguez

Part two features Barbara Albertson, Michael Tubbs, youth panelists, and educators discussing Stockton's remarkable transformation from America's most miserable city through genuine community engagement, crime reduction strategies, educational reform, and grassroots organizing efforts.

Episode Guests:

• Barb Alberson—Senior Deputy Director for Policy & Planning, San Joaquin County Public Health Service
• Michael Tubbs—Former Mayor, City of Stockton
• Brandon Leake—Founder & CEO, Called To Move
• Tama Brisbane, co-founder & director, WOW Inc.
• Anthony Rodriguez—Teacher, Marshall Elementary School, Instructor, Summer Success & Leadership Academy
• Rhodesia Ransom, co-founder of Sow A Seed, California Assembly Person for the 13th Assembly District
• Tafari Lee—Youth Leader, Stockton
• Tyla Lovely Cotton—Youth Leader, Stockton
• Johnny Barrios—Youth Leader, Stockton

Hosts:

• Eric Estrada (associate producer),
• George Koster (creator, series host)
• Michael Fitzgerald (Stockton Town Hall host and retired Stockton Record reporter)

Your voice matters! Support these Stockton nonprofits featured in this highlight episode along with the entire documentary series! They are vital for economic growth, community health, and empowering future leaders. Watch, listen, and share this crucial episode with your networks, local officials, and community development funders.

🎧 Listen now | 📺 Watch the episodes | 💬 Get involved!

For more information, guest details, and resources from this episode, visit our episode web page.

Make a Donation: Support Voices of the Community, fiscally sponsored by Intersection for the Arts, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and enjoy tax deductions for your contributions.

Newsletter: Sign up to stay updated on future episodes and events

Delve deeper into the Voices of the Community Series on Arts & Culture, Making the Invisible Visible, Covid-19's impact on nonprofits, small enterprises and local government, the City of Stockton's rise from the ashes of bankruptcy, and our archives:You can explore episodes, speakers, organizations, and resources through each series web page. Watch and learn from all five series now!,

Reinvention in Stockton starts with people. Family, faith, and Black history shape young leaders; high expectations and visible role models invite the whole community to “come together.” Mentorship turns promise into pathways: Phoenix Scholars supports first-gen, low-income students through applications, scholarships, and personal statements, building generational opportunity. Meanwhile, grassroots coalitions coordinate across safety, health, blight, cultural preservation, housing, and inclusion—proving that cross-sector collaboration can lift South Stockton and create momentum for the city at large.

Episode Guests

• Racole Dixon (mother of Michael Tubbs)
• Barbara Nicholson (grandmother of Michael Tubbs)
• Tasha Dixon (aunt of Michael Tubbs)
• Dr. Rebekah Fenton (physician; Phoenix Scholars co-founder with Michael Tubbs)
• Nicholas Hatten—Founder/Executive Director, San Joaquin Pride Center
• Fred Sheil—Administrator, STAND (Substance abusers Taking Action to Neutralize Drugs)
• Dillon Delvo—Co-Founder & Executive Director, Little Manila Rising
• Jasmine Dellafosse—Founding Member, Reinvent South Stockton Coalition

Hosts: Eric Estrada (associate producer), George Koster (creator, series host) and Nick McClendon (associate producer/interviewer)

Your voice matters! Support these Stockton nonprofits! They are vital for economic growth, community health, and empowering future leaders. Watch, listen, and share this crucial episode with your networks, local officials, and arts funders.

🎧 Listen now | 📺 Watch the episodes | 💬 Get involved!

For more information, guest details, and resources from this episode, visit our episode web page. Dive deeper into these vital discussions and access the California Arts & Culture Summit Resource Guide today

Make a Donation: Support Voices of the Community, fiscally sponsored by Intersection for the Arts, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and enjoy tax deductions for your contributions.

Newsletter: Sign up to stay updated on future episodes and events

Delve deeper into the Voices of the Community Series on Arts & Culture, Making the Invisible Visible, Covid-19's impact on nonprofits, small enterprises and local government, the City of Stockton's rise from the ashes of bankruptcy, and our archives:You can explore episodes, speakers, organizations, and resources through each series web page. Watch and learn from all five series now!,