En2Action and the Bayview Bistro SF

I think if anything, there's been more light and more sort of like, an awareness, right. Of small businesses, and how people really need to support the small businesses to, continue to contribute to the economy.” - Pooja Rajani In this episode, our featured voices are Andrea Baker the founder of both Andrea Baker Consulting and the nonprofit En 2 Action along with Pooja Rajani the Director of Programs who leads the organization’s operations and project management.I first worked with Andrea back in 2015 in the production of our two-part series “Doing Business in the Bayview” which I recommend that you listen to for more context on her team’s efforts in working with the Bayview Hunters Point community economically and culturally to reinvent their community. You can find the two-part series in our archives on george koster dot com, click on voices of the community and on the archives.Doing Business in the Bayview Part 1 Doing Business in the Bayview Part 2Andrea and Pooja have been working tirelessly in the bayview hunters point community of san francsico from our last great recession in 2008 to today’s covid-19 pandemic and economic meltdown. Throughout this time Andrea and Pooja have helped to incubate, cultivate, advise and promote food and beverage entrepreneurs as well as artisans in the Bayview Hunters Point neighborhood.Their work with small business owners enables them to execute their dreams of controlling their own destiny and provide an economic legacy for their families. The backdrop of today’s interview is covid-19’s impact on the small business restaurants that make up the economic and cultural fabric of our neighborhoods and their struggle to stay alive. For more insights into how Covid-19 is impacting our restaurant businesses please listen to our Episode 11 interview with Laurie Thomas the Executive Director of the Golden Gate Restaurant Association  🎧Explore Our Award-Winning Special SeriesIf you enjoyed this episode, dive deeper into our 4-part legacy of impact:Where Art Meets Impact: How creativity drives systemic change. Season 1 and Season 2From Bankruptcy to Reinvention: The story of Stockton’s resilience. COVID-19’s Impact Series: Navigating the pandemic's effect on our community.Making the Invisible Visible: Discover the untold stories of finding home.