Last week, I was able to participate in a charity hackathon between ReBrand Cities, the City of Los Angeles, and Automattic (the company behind WordPress), satisfying an urge to give and checking another box on my personal goal list. I always struggle during the holidays, wanting to do for others rather than getting gifts.

Go Back Jack, Do It Again

ReBrand LA, whose mission is to help small businesses nationwide by creating 10,000 websites held the event at Vector 90 in central Los Angeles. A sleek, coworking space in a former large scale bread bakery, almost twenty businesses worked with a team of developers to get them up and running on WordPress.com.

“46% of Small Businesses in America have no website.”

ReBrand Cities

When I first arrived in Los Angeles in 1989, I lived near this location in Mid-City and it felt like going home again in a number of aspects. The city has changed quite a bit but helping area small businesses felt right.

Small Issue, Big Reward

The day started with an inspiring opening by Hajj, a gifted and passionate speaker. We then paired up with our businesses, identifying their current challenges and setting out a plan to get them onto WordPress.com and resolving pain points from their previous hosting solutions.

I worked with James Dongo of Nana’s Catering LA and initially, Internet connection issues delayed our progress. Being resourceful, a representative from the City of Los Angeles offered her hotspot to the team and we were off! We wrapped up the day with a show and tell of a couple of sites that provided inspiration for the others moving forward.

A Little Birdy Told Me

A full day of activity and great memories, here are some additional backstory on the event on Twitter:

Today was great a day at @Vect90r – #NipseyHussle coworking space. We hosted our first #RebrandLA website build-a-thon with the @LACity and @wordpressdotcom. It was amazing. pic.twitter.com/Cy7FVwcG9N

— Hajj Flemings (@HajjFlemings) December 11, 2019

GIVE BACK: Raised below the poverty line I never felt comfortable wanting to excess, a common refrain during the Season. Also from the D, I saw @HajjFlemings presentation at @WCEurope this summer and I'm excited to help LA small biz get up and runnin' in @WordPress. #RebrandLA pic.twitter.com/O2hHZN4tae

— Joe A Simpson Jr is planning #WCSCV 2020 (@joesimpsonjr) December 10, 2019

46% of small businesses don’t have a website.

After today, thanks to #RebrandLA & these developers, 20 of our local, small businesses in LA won’t be part of that statistic anymore.

Our Website Build-a-Thon is kicking off at @Vect90r !

More Build-a-Thons coming! pic.twitter.com/smyOvijjKU

— LA Office of Finance (@CityofLAFinance) December 10, 2019

KICKOFF: Fellow Detroiter, @wceurope speaker, and @rebrandcities creator @hajjflemings starts today’s charity event @vector.90 . A great way to give back to the @wordpress @city.of.losangeles and represent @wordpressscv pic.twitter.com/1Xn5oExF1z

— Joe A Simpson Jr is planning #WCSCV 2020 (@joesimpsonjr) December 10, 2019

FAMILIAR FACE? I’ve met @Mapk somewhere and by the end of today, I’ll remember where I met this @automattic member! @RebrandCities @citylosangeles @wordpressscv pic.twitter.com/9kLlxZSPxI

— Joe A Simpson Jr is planning #WCSCV 2020 (@joesimpsonjr) December 10, 2019

THAT’S A WRAP: Worked with Nana’s Catering and James Dongo is an incredible owner and great partner today! Thanks @HajjFlemings for offering a chance to give back! #rebrandla #wordpressscv #wordcampscv @automattic @wordpress #cityoflosangeles #wordpress pic.twitter.com/TwqKoGv6Mi

— Joe A Simpson Jr is planning #WCSCV 2020 (@joesimpsonjr) December 10, 2019

It’s time for the big reveal. Check out our Builders show off their websites during our #RebrandLa Build-a-thon. We’re in the builidng at @Vect90r getting creative with @wordpressdotcom . #rebrandcities pic.twitter.com/UmjPkIVppN

— Rebrand Cities (@RebrandCities) December 11, 2019