Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Local Economy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Long Beach honors SCE Edison Scholar Caleb Kaleo and recognizes 22 legacy and green-certified businesses
Summary
Mayor and council presented a Southern California Edison scholarship to Sato Academy senior Caleb Kaleo and celebrated 22 new Legacy Business designations and multiple Green Business certifications as part of Small Business Week.
Mayor Rex Richardson and the City Council on May 5 presented a Southern California Edison (SCE) Edison Scholar award to Caleb Kaleo, a senior at Sato Academy of Math and Science, and recognized a new cohort of legacy and green-certified small businesses in Long Beach.
Adrian Garcia, government relations manager for Southern California Edison, told the council the Edison Scholar program seeks students who have demonstrated academic achievement, leadership and community involvement. "We are very proud to award Caleb," Garcia said, noting the company awards roughly 30 scholarships a year across its service territory and that each SCE Edison Scholar award is substantial support for a student's college expenses.
Caleb Kaleo said the scholarship will help fund projects and a club he hopes to start at Worcester Polytechnic Institute focused on engaging neurodivergent students in robotics and STEM mentorship. "It really is helpful," he said. Caleb’s mother also spoke, describing the family’s long efforts to secure the right educational placements and celebrating his progress.
Separately in the same meeting, the city’s BizCare team highlighted the Legacy Business Program and the Green Business Program. Samantha Rivas, Long Beach’s legacy business coordinator, announced that 22 businesses — including Baja Sonora, El Pollo Imperial, Ricardo’s Nursery, Modica’s Deli, Tom’s Tropical Fish and Toast Records — were added to the legacy business roster, bringing the total to 81 legacy businesses citywide. The Legacy Business Program recognizes long-standing local businesses (a minimum 10 years or 25 years under alternate criteria) that contribute historical, cultural or economic value to neighborhoods.
A separate presentation described the Green Business Program, which offers certification through the California Green Business Network after businesses complete sustainability assessments and implement recommended practices. The city noted statewide impacts from green-certified businesses and recognized Long Beach businesses newly certified this year and those maintaining certification.
Council and staff concluded the recognitions with a group photo and thanks to the economic development team for administering both programs.
The city provided no formal vote for the recognitions; they were presented as ceremonial items and acknowledgments.
