Innovation, Sustainability & Equity
About Lorin
The Lorin District of South Berkeley is a historic and culturally rich neighborhood rooted in the legacy of African American community, creativity, and resilience. For generations, Lorin has been a place where Black families built homes, businesses, and institutions that nurtured economic opportunity, cultural expression, and collective strength.
Our Founder: Jamal Williams
Jamal Williams is a Berkeley-based entrepreneur, community builder, and creative strategist, best known as the CEO of E360 West, a consulting and branding firm rooted in South Berkeley. Through his work, Jamal has focused on bridging technology, storytelling, and community empowerment—particularly for Black and Brown communities in the Bay Area.
About LCITEC
Lorin Community Innovation Training & Entrepreneurial Center (LCITEC) is Lorin's first community-centric, culturally responsive go-to training, apprenticeship, and business hub for under-employed, unemployed, under-educated stakeholders of the East Bay to position themselves for quality jobs and work experiences that pair well into potentially starting a business.
Community-Centered Design
We prioritize the needs of our community through thoughtfully designed spaces and partnerships. LCITEC integrates community services directly into the fabric of our development — including educational programs, job training, wellness centers, and recreational areas. By partnering with local non-profits, schools, and service providers, LCITEC serves as a resource for skill-building, youth development, and entrepreneurial training.
Sustainable & Equitable Growth
Sustainability is at the heart of LCITEC's mission. We are committed to green building standards and energy-efficient design, ensuring spaces are environmentally friendly and cost-effective. Our operations prioritize local hiring and supporting minority-owned businesses, creating pathways for economic equity in our region.
Innovative Social Enterprise Model
LCITEC adopts a dual-pronged approach: a for-profit entity managing commercial aspects and a non-profit arm focusing on educational programs, community events, and social services. This hybrid model ensures financial health while reinvesting surplus revenues into programs that directly benefit the community.
Hub for Technological Advancement
LCITEC provides co-working spaces, a computer lab, and cybersecurity training programs to support the growth of Black and Brown entrepreneurs, people of color, and marginalized communities. Weekend hackathons, mentorship programs, and small business workshops foster a spirit of innovation and community-based economic empowerment.
Be Part of the Change
Join LCITEC and help build a stronger, more equitable future for Berkeley and beyond.
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