Rise Economy’s annual Equitable Futures Awards celebration kicks off the Action and Advocacy Conference.
This year’s Equitable Futures Awards — happening on Wednesday, Nov. 13 — recognizes the remarkable organizations and individuals making significant strides toward equity and sustainability across California. From tribal leadership to affordable housing initiatives, the 2024 honorees exemplify the profound impact of community-rooted efforts in transforming lives. These awards celebrate the legacy of economic justice and uplift those whose work addresses our time’s most pressing social and environmental challenges.
For almost 20 years, Rise Economy has hosted two annual community award ceremonies in northern and southern California. This year, the ceremony will precede Rise Economy’s inaugural Action and Advocacy Conference, serving as a kickoff celebration to the statewide event, which will bring together various groups and leaders for a day of educational sessions, workshops, networking, and celebrations in Los Angeles.
Among this year’s distinguished honorees are Rudy Ortega Jr., Tribal President of the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians, the Inland Equity Community Land Trust (IECLT) and Neighborhood Partnership Housing Services (NPHS), both of which are transforming access to affordable housing and economic development in Southern California.
Learn more about the honorees below.
Rudy Ortega, Jr., Alan Fisher Economic Justice Award
Rudy Ortega, Jr. is the Tribal President of the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians, a native sovereign nation of northern Los Angeles County. As the elected leader of his Tribe, Ortega Jr. oversees the governmental body and manages affairs pertaining to the rights of all Fernandeño Tataviam tarahat (people).
Ortega Jr. is a member of Siutcabit, the lineage of present-day Encino, CA. His ancestors come from the villages that originated in the geographical areas of Santa Clarita Valley, Simi Valley, and San Fernando Valley. His great-grandfather Antonio Maria Ortega, from whom he receives his traditional role as tomiar or leader, fought in Los Angeles Superior Court in the 19 th century to preserve traditional lands and protect Native title to Mexican land grants from encroaching settlers. His father, the late Rudy Ortega Sr., served as the previous leader of the Tribe for over fifty years and was elected to the Los Angeles City/County Native American Indian Commission in 1977.
Following his father’s leadership, Ortega Jr. was appointed to the Native American Indian Commission by Mayor James Hahn in 2004, where he serves today as a commissioner.
From 2004 – 2019, Ortega Jr. invigorated the Tribe’s non-profit Pukúu Cultural Community Services as the Executive Director. Through this role, he served the greater Los Angeles County American Indian community and oversaw Haramokngna American Indian Cultural Center. Through his seat as Tribal President, Ortega Jr. helped establish the Tataviam Land Conservancy, Paséki Strategies Corporation, and a co-management agreement with the City of San Fernando for Rudy Ortega Sr. Park. As a Los Angeles City/County Native American Indian Commissioner, Ortega, Jr. was a member of the Los Angeles River Master Plan Steering Committee to ensure local tribes and indigenous people’s participation. Ortega, Jr. also served the Edison Consumer Advisory Panel Board.
Currently, Ortega Jr. is a Santa Clarita Watershed Recreation and Conservation Authority, Los Angeles City/County Native American Indian Commission, Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy appointed by Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr., and a Commission member of the Climate Emergency Mobilization Committee appointed by Mayor Eric Garcetti.
Inland Equity Community Land Trust, Equitable Futures Award
IECLT is a nonprofit that uses shared equity home ownership as a way to lower the cost of buying a home. Inland Equity Community Land Trust’s Shared Equity Program enables people to own a home, and build equity. We are committed to promoting social equity and sustainable development by providing high-quality, affordable housing. We use long-term ground leases to create homeownership opportunities and preserve affordable rental housing for those who are housing cost-burdened.
Neighborhood Partnership Housing Services, Inc., Equitable Futures Award
NPHS is a nonprofit community development organization that has been dedicated to building equitable communities in the Inland Empire since 1991. Over the past 33 years, NPHS has evolved from a small grassroots organization serving the City of Montclair into a multifaceted entity focused on the Southern California region, including Riverside, San Bernardino, and Eastern Los Angeles Counties. Initially established as a grassroots neighborhood organization, NPHS has developed into a sophisticated Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), affordable housing developer, and HUD-Approved Counseling Agency offering a comprehensive array of housing and economic development programs and services. Today, NPHS serves a diverse range of stakeholders, including low-to-moderate-income (LMI) families and individuals, local governments, private sector businesses, and other nonprofit organizations. NPHS’ mission is supported by a team of professionals with diverse backgrounds and a passionate commitment to serving their communities.
NPHS approaches community and economic development holistically, offering a comprehensive suite of programs and services designed to foster intergenerational economic mobility, revitalize neighborhoods, build financial security, and close racial wealth gaps. Our continuum of services supports individuals and families at every stage of their journey to financial self-sufficiency, from establishing the building blocks of financial stability to building wealth through asset acquisition and preserving existing assets.
