Economic Growth and Status of 4 San Francisco Districts:

1. Economic Growth and Status of 4 San Francisco Districts: Fillmore – Tenderloin – San Bruno Ave - Mission

2. The Fillmore District

3. Economy in the Fillmore In the 1970’s the Fillmore District was wiped out by an urban redevelopment policy. This “new” development was supposed to help the lower district of the Fillmore, but instead it destroyed it. About 460 black businesses were destroyed and about 4,000 African American families moved out. Technically, they were put out so that residential projects could be built where they once resided. This left many of the African American families to migrate out of the city to larger homes, to the Bayview Hunter’s Point area and across the bay.

4. The Economy Breaks Down the Fillmore • The amount of African Americans residing in the city dropped more than 23% • Public housing and low-income projects are constantly being torn down • Prices for homes have climbed extremely high • The Fillmore can’t even afford to establish their jazz district due to the economy • Asian businesses are rapidly taking over the lower Fillmore district. • African Americans feel as if they are being pushed out of the city due to the high rise for living here

5. Survey ResponsesBusiness #1 (Don-Ja-Lani Hair Shop) • Fena is an African American female. She started her business based on her enjoyment and fulfillment of styling hair and wanting to own her own hair shop. • To obtain labor, she views the resumes ad cosmetology certificates of individuals who are interested in obtaining a position in her shop. • Fena has been successfully operating her business for about 9 years now. • Yes, she feels a sense of comfort to live in the area in which she works and vice versa. • Yes, some people come to the shop just to hang out in the positive environment that it provides. There are a lot of older people who are here who also tend to give advice to the younger crowd.

6. Business #2 (Charlie’s) • Charlie is an Arabic-American male. Charlie always had a greed for money and instead of him making “fast” money; he thought that it would be a good idea to open up a business that would benefit him, his family, and the community. This led him to opening up a convenience store. • As of now, the labor that is used to contribute to the service of the customers is from family members. Owner (Charlie), uncle and nephew. • Charlie’s has been happily and successfully serving the Fillmore community for 8 years. • No, Charlie and his family do not reside in the area in which their business is located. • Yes, this business has contributed to change in this area by being a convenience to the many people on this community.

7. Business #3 (Mrs. Dewson’s Hats) • Ruth Dewson is an African American female. It isn’t hard to understand why Ruth Dewson opened Mrs. Dewson’s Hats. She has been wearing hats for as long as she can remember. She believed that the hats she wore as she got older were quite unique, so she decided to design hats of her own and put them on the market. • Ruth does not need a process to go through to obtain labor because she simply runs her business successfully on her own. • She has been in business for well over 25 years. • Although she does not live in the area, she does live in the city in which her shop is located. • Not only does she make and sell hats, but she is an older individual in this community and they can always contribute to positive change. She been around longer to know what it was like then and what it’s like now.

8. Business #4 (Leslie’s Nails) • Leslie is an Asian-American female. Leslie got her nail shop opened because she had (and still has) a like and great admiration for making the fingernails and toes of individuals (primarily women) look unique and beautiful. Not to mention, she also specializes in waxing and plucking of the eyebrows. • Much of Leslie’s labor comes from her family; who has the skills and abilities to work with customers who come into the shop. • Leslie’s Nails has been operating for about 7 years now. • Leslie and her family lives in the city but not in the area in which her nail shop is located. • Not really. She feels this way for the simple fact that she has noticed that her business has not had much interaction with the community.

9. The Mission District: History • Oldest District in San Francisco; Est. 1776 • Irish, Italian, German Immigrants settled mid 1800’s • Since at least mid 1900’s sustainable city within city • Earlier European ethnic groups moved out to suburbs and other more affluent districts • At same time new wave of immigrants moved in • Those immigrants were primarily Latino, as well as Asian

10. The Mission District: Population • Predominately Latino and Asian • Primarily working class, blue collar • Young (35% under 25, average age 34) • Densely populated • Large segments know little to no english • Low income (30% make less than $25,000)

11. Business – Employment - Housing • Large percentage of small businesses (service/retail based) • Minority Business ownership low • Job growth in low skilled retail and restaurant services, decline in higher skilled trade/craft positions • Expensive live/work spaces, urban professionals and affluent residents displacing jobs, businesses and affordable housing • Rent increases and low owner occupancy forcing low income residents out or to less desirable areas • High eviction rate (Highest in SF)

12. Positives Amidst so Many Negatives • Grass-root, community, and government cooperative organizations aiding minority owned businesses, the cleanliness of community, parks and public spaces, and promoting the unity and advancement of people of color • Strong presence of diversely ethnic culture and pride • Booming arts movement reflecting its residents and their social concerns and triumphs

13. Roots of Spirit