Q&A With Latrice McGlothin, Manhattan Beach Chamber's New Chair

RELATED: Kinecta Federal Credit Union Recognized As Great Place To Work

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA — Latrice McGlothin took over for a one-year term as the chairperson of the Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce in June and officially led her first board meeting August 12 via Zoom. She was sworn into her new volunteer position via Zoom by U.S. Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Manhattan Beach.

McGlothin, a community engagement specialist with Kinecta Federal Credit Union in Manhattan Beach, had been a board member for four years, and is the first woman of color to hold the slot. Manhattan Beach Patch decided to ask her a few questions about her life, her role as chairperson and more.

Question: How does a person become the chair of the MB Chamber Board? And what exactly is your role? What are you responsible for?

Answer: After serving on the board for two years, I was appointed as Chair Elect, 2018, by the previous Manhattan Beach Board Chairman Brad Sperber. In July of this year, the entire MBCC Board of Directors approved the slate as proposed for the 2020-2021 Board of Directors. I was sworn in as Chair of the Board in August 2020. My role as Board Chair is to be a leader in the community, collaborate with the leadership in the City of Manhattan Beach, to facilitate board meetings, be available to board members, set goals and objectives, motivate the board members to lead activities and work with the President/CEO Kelly Stroman and the board to move the chamber forward.

Q: You've been in banking your entire career. Yes? What drew you to the field? How did you get your first job in banking and what was it?

A: I started off as a temporary employee at Hawthorne Savings, a local community bank. Once I started working at the bank, community was a natural draw for me because of my desire to help people. As a teenager I became saddled with debt after paying the minimums late on credit cards. What started off as an initial balance of less than $1,000 took me more than seven years to pay off. Confused and embarrassed, I decided that I would be an advocate to help people understand the principles of personal finances. Today, by training and facilitating the curriculum offered through our Financial Empowerment Center, our team makes a positive impact on society, helping people achieve the knowledge needed to use credit wisely, make prudent decisions about large purchases and restore the confidence necessary to get out of debt.

Q: Kinecta Federal Credit Union plays a key role in Manhattan Beach and the South Bay with the many ways it contributes to and supports organizations, businesses, business owners, investors, as well as the everyday client. What do you like about being a Community Engagement Officer and what do you do in your role?

A: As Community Engagement Officer, I support hundreds of organizations throughout Southern California, while also developing and implementing strategies to increase visibility and engagement in the community. Part of my responsibilities is helping to facilitate program management for our annual back to school backpack and food drives among other community service efforts. The backpack drive provides school supplies to 600 students from underserved areas. The annual food drive provides staple grocery items, a $75 gift card and Thanksgiving cheer for 1,000 families.

From creating educational programs to spearheading numerous fundraisers, I’m passionate about empowering youth, serving the aging population and providing resources to underserved communities. I love to positively impact members, community partners and individuals. Additionally, it excites me to provide resources that empower people. From giving someone knowledge to implementing programs, the work is very rewarding.

Q: I know the Chamber is launching an Inclusivity campaign, and perhaps I'm using incorrect wording, but what can you tell me about where that part of the chamber is in terms of forming and what its first few actions may be?

A: The Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce Inclusion Committee was formed in July of this year and by August the founding documents that guide the committee were created and subsequently approved by the Board of Directors. The committee meets every Monday and has been very busy strategizing on long-term ways to help the business community navigate inclusion in the workplace, is actively conducting listening sessions and was instrumental in the field trip of Marymount University students. The chamber is committed to diversity and inclusion on all levels. We believe it will enhance the chamber, the membership, the business community, and allow us to better reflect the South Bay and to celebrate our differences.

Q: As an advocate for the Manhattan Beach business community, what do you see as key ways the Chamber can support and benefit its members?

A:

• We can be a listening ear to businesses in the community to understand their needs
• Partner with the City of Manhattan Beach and government agencies to advocate for them and provide resources
• Help to highlight and bring exposure to Manhattan Beach businesses, especially during the pandemic
• Being a reliable source for referrals, products, and services
• Connect the businesses to the residents, government, education, and philanthropic sectors

Q: What else would you like to add? Is there any personal information (married, kids, age, city of residence?) you'd like to add?

A: I’ve been married 17 years to my wonderful and supportive husband Larry McGlothin.

Q: What do you enjoy doing when you're not working or chairing the MB Chamber? I know COVID-19 has changed much of our daily routines but before the pandemic, what did you enjoy?

A: My husband and I both love to travel and look forward to traveling again after the pandemic. I’m also a professional vocalist, so when I’m not in the office I’m working on music.

Q: What, if anything, is helping you personally get through the pandemic and all of its restrictions, as well as staying safe?

A: What is helping me through the pandemic is having a strong foundation and support system that includes my husband, friends, faith and belief in God, family and amazing colleagues. To stay safe, I wear a mask in public, wash my hands repeatedly throughout the day and maintain social distancing.

RELATED: Kinecta Federal Credit Union Recognized As Great Place To Work