On screen:

This video opens in a studio with exposed brick walls, where a preteen in a blazer and jeans holds up a brick that says 'Black Culture.'

Ali Kalyesubula:

Oh, wow, wow, wow. Okay, if these walls could talk.

On screen:

Text appears over a dark background:

Text on screen:

'If these walls could talk, what would they say? We sat down with people from Los Angeles to hear their stories.'

On screen:

Identifying text appears beside a dark-haired man in a sweater:

Text on screen:

'Ryan Afari, Principal, The Hillcrest Company.'

Ryan Afari:

LA is a very special place. It's a metropolis, it's suburbia, it's farmland, it's urban. People come here to reinvent themselves. There's always potential. It's the frontier.

On screen:

A view sweeps over the sprawling city, with hazy downtown skyscrapers in the distance. Then footage shows Ryan shaking hands with the director. They chat as they make collages at a craft table.

Ryan Afari:

Hillcrest is a full-service development firm that's really focused on building beautiful spaces that can be a catalyst for the community.

On screen:

A historic five-story building features a Spanish-style roof. Interior photos show a bright modern apartment and a lobby with tiled floors, archways, and a coffered wood ceiling.

Ryan Afari:

One of our most successful historic tax credit projects is the Harbor House. It's 100 apartments with 10 set aside for low-income families. And it also has retail, a basketball court, a gym. I think it was an environmental success. I think it was an urban planning success. It was a great investment, but also it was a great way for us to get a foothold in the community.

On screen:

He writes the word 'Reinvention' on a brick. Then a woman with a dark bob wears a black blazer and branded shirt as she laughs with the director. Identifying text appears beside her:

Text on screen:

'Kerrington Eubanks, VP of Capital Markets, Lendistry.'

Kerrington Eubanks:

Lendistry just celebrated its 10-year anniversary. We are a tech-enabled community development financial institution that is created to support historically underserved small businesses with access to capital and financial education.

On screen:

She chats with the director as they make collages.

Kerrington Eubanks:

The Palisades and Eaton wildfires that took place early last year were devastating to the communities. In partnership with our sister organization, the Center by Lendistry, we supported LA County to administer more than $32 million in grant capital to those who were affected most by the fires.

On screen:

She writes the word 'Becoming' on a brick, then laughs in an animated conversation with the director.

Kerrington Eubanks:

When different organizations and the communities come together, we can have really strong, solid impact.

On screen:

A crew member hands a clapperboard to a man in a light gray suit.

Crew:

Here, have you ever clapped one before?

Tony Barengo:

Nope. Let's do this.

On screen:

Text appears:

Text on screen:

'Tony Barengo, Head of Commercial Real Estate, Momentus Capital.'

Tony Barengo:

Momentus Capital is a family of mission-driven organizations that make investments and loans into communities nationwide.

On screen:

The director shows Tony around the studio, and they chat as they make collages. The director claps and gives Tony a high five.

Tony Barengo:

We're looking at purpose ahead of profit. And so, where some may see risk, we see opportunity. By giving people access to the capital that they deserve to chase their dreams, we know that return is more prosperous communities and better outcomes for everybody.

On screen:

A wavy-haired teen in a pink sweater makes collages with the director. Identifying text appears beside her:

Text on screen:

'Grace Masinter, Student, Debbie Allen Dance Academy.'

Grace Masinter:

I really love dancing because it makes me happy, and I feel confident when I'm dancing. It's been a way that I can express myself without talking, which I love.

On screen:

Photos show a modern dance studio, an airy classroom, and a sleek lounge area.

Grace Masinter:

Debbie Allen is the Dance Academy. It's a place that I can call home now. I mean, not just because I'm there 12 hours a day most days, but because, the people there are like my family.

On screen:

The preteen boy in the blazer makes collages with Grace. Text appears:

Text on screen:

'Ali Kalyesubula, Student, Debbie Allen Dance Academy.'

Ali Kalyesubula:

My favorite part of DADA is probably like the community and all the people that help you succeed in life. I get to go to a dancing school. I get to do what I love.

On screen:

As the director watches, Ali drops into the splits. He and Grace mime jumping rope.

Grace Masinter:

It doesn't just teach you how to dance. The teachers really care about you and want you to learn how to also be a disciplined person.

On screen:

Grace holds a brick with a handwritten word on it:

Grace Masinter:

If these walls could talk, they would say, "Future."

On screen:

Ali holds a brick:

Ali Kalyesubula:

They'd say, "Black culture."

Tony Barengo:

They would say, "Access."

Kerrington Eubanks:

They'd say, "Becoming."

Ryan Afari:

If these walls could talk, they would say, "Reinvention." Because LA is the city where people come to reinvent themselves.

On screen:

One by one, the words appear on a brick wall: 'Access, Becoming, Future, Reinvention, Black Culture.'

Narrator:

J.P. Morgan Community Development Banking understands that the buildings we invest in are more than just four walls. They are you. They are us. They are Los Angeles.

On screen:

Text appears over an aerial view of the city:

Text on screen:

'If these walls could talk, by J.P. Morgan.'

On screen:

The video ends with a logo over a dark background:

Logo:

J.P.Morgan.

Side note:

Legal disclosures appear beneath a house icon with an equal symbol:

Text on screen:

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Chase, J.P. Morgan, and JPMorganChase are marketing names for certain businesses of JPMorgan Chase & Co. and its affiliates and subsidiaries worldwide (collectively, “JPMC”, “We”, “Our” or “Us”, as the context may require).

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These materials do not represent an offer or commitment to provide any product or service. In preparing the information, we have relied upon, without independently verifying, the accuracy and completeness of publicly available information or information that you have provided to us. Our opinions, analyses and estimates included here reflect prevailing conditions and our views as of this date. These factors could change, and you should consider this information to be indicative, preliminary and for illustrative purposes only. This Information is provided as general market and/or economic commentary. It in no way constitutes research and should not be treated as such. 

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END

The Los Angeles metropolitan area is dynamic and far-reaching, encompassing more than 80 cities. But between its scale and elevated cost of living, the area has struggled to meet residents’ need for affordable housing and related resources. Nearly 80% of extremely low-income households in Los Angeles County spend more than half their income on housing, leaving little for other expenses like utilities, groceries, after-school activities and medical costs.1 

Since 2021, JPMorganChase has invested more than $1.5 billion in Los Angeles County community development organizations working to fill the housing shortage and create opportunities for low-income households to thrive. That includes: 

  • $1.4 billion to develop and finance 3,626 affordable homes for renters, including new development, affordable housing preservation and permanent supportive housing for people experiencing homelessness 
  • $63 million in New Markets Tax Credit equity investments in schools and other facilities providing essential community services
  • $5 million in Historic Tax Credit equity to preserve historic buildings while adapting them for new uses

Our 20 local Community Development Banking and Agency & Institutional Capital employees work closely with LA community development organizations to deliver tailored support where it’s needed most. 

“What’s unique about LA is the vastness of the region. Even within the City of Los Angeles, there are so many distinct neighborhoods. It’s critical to work with organizations who understand their community’s needs to have true impact.”

 


Hear directly from Los Angeles residents whose lives have been transformed through these investments, and the people leading these life-changing projects. 

The walls are talking across the country.

          

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. Visit jpmorgan.com/commercial-banking/legal-disclaimer for disclosures and disclaimers related to this content.

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  • Equal Housing Lender

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