Kultivate Labs’ multi-pronged approach to growth in Filipino Cultural Heritage District nurtures ‘Bloom Loop’ in San Francisco

San Francisco, CA - January 30, 2024 - Filipino American nonprofit Kultivate Labs is defying San Francisco’s ‘doom loop’ narrative — witnessing significant economic growth in SOMA Pilipinas Filipino Cultural Heritage District through their multi-pronged economic development and arts initiatives in 2023 alone. In addition to nurturing the development of five new anchor businesses in the district — Bituin, Make it Mariko’s Soma Social Club, Izzy’s Sandwiches, Mestiza, and the Filipino American Development Fund (FADF) — the organization will offer at least nine major events and programs in 2024 to continue fostering business and preserving Filipino culture and community.

Bay Area Event Designers Team Up To Defy ‘Doom Loop’

San Francisco, CA - June 29, 2023 - Lily Spruce — a WOC-led event planning and design firm founded by Genevieve Roja for couples that strive for originality and authenticity — is entering a new era. Lily Spruce is joining forces with Make it Mariko, an experiential event agency led by WOC and founded by Gina Mariko Rosales focused on creating magical, meaningful moments for the community. In the face of a looming downtown “doom loop,” Roja and Rosales are developing a creative events agency focused on creating jobs and opportunities for creatives, entrepreneurs, and artists of color in events, while curating events and activations that bring people back to San Francisco through arts and culture.

“Cultural Kultivators:” a Visionary New Podcast That Explores the Beauty and Complexity of the Filipino American Experience

San Francisco, CA - May 31, 2023 - The San Francisco Bay Area is the second most populous region for Filipinos in the United States, with Filipinos making up to 4.6% of San Francisco’s population. Filipinos are not only an integral part of San Francisco history, but an active part of the city’s identity today. “Cultural Kultivators,” a new podcast by Kutivate Labs and hosted by Nicole Salaver, honors the diversity and richness of the Filipino American experience while inspiring listeners to explore and celebrate their own cultural heritage. Salaver, the Program Manager at Filipino-American arts accelerator Balay Kreative, interviews Filipino American thought leaders, entrepreneurs, activists and artists who are making a positive impact in their respective fields. “Cultural Kultivators” launches on May 31st with Asian American studies scholar Dr. Allyson Tintiangco-Cubales as its first interviewee, followed by rapper Ruby Ibarra for its second episode, street artist Allison Hueman for its third episode, and artist Nikbo for its fourth episode.

Kultivate Labs Catalyzes A Thriving Community in San Francisco’s Filipino Cultural District, Generating $930k in Economic Development

San Francisco, CA - January 30, 2023 - Since its inception in 2017, Kultivate Labs has been dedicated to building a thriving commercial corridor in the SOMA Pilipinas Filipino Cultural Heritage District. After a successful 2022, the non-profit economic development and arts organization will continue rolling out programming in the new year that reflects the needs and vision of the community at large such as new artist grants, space and other resources for pop-up businesses and artists, a free outdoor concert series, and a creative market spanning three events.

“Ancestor Altars” Honors Loved Ones Who Have Passed Away During the Pandemic

San Francisco, CA - September 19, 2022 - Filipino cultural center Balay Kreative, artist Cece Carpio and artist TITTY are collaborating with Filipinx/a/o and BIPOC community members to honor their deceased loved ones through art installation “Ancestor Altars.” On view from October 27-30 at Kapwa Gardens and in a virtual gallery.

SF’s Largest Filipino Creative Market Returns As a Theme Park Inspired Daytime Festival

San Francisco, CA - September 19, 2022 - UNDISCOVERED (UNDSCVRD) SF — San Francisco’s premier Filipino Night Market and Food & Music Festival — is back for its sixth season as a daytime, theme park-inspired festival on October 22, 2022 from 12-6pm. This year UNDSCVRD, a Kultivate Labs and Make it Mariko creation, spans several locations in the SOMA Pilipinas Filipino Cultural Heritage District and welcomes notable Filipino American guests such as DJ Miles Medina and Chef Harold Villarosa.

A Plan To Stimulate Economic Activity and Build Solidarity With Communities of Color

SEED Network launches as an online community/platform dedicated to organizing and uplifting BIPOC business by providing educational and economical tools for entrepreneurs in San Francisco, and re-granting the money to business providers.

Client NewsGuest UserSeptember 14, 2021Kultivate Labs, SEED Network, soma pilipinas, San Francisco

PR for the People Spotlight: Jolo Merilleno | PR Apprentice

I’ve always been interested in social impact work, and I got the chance to combine social impact and entertainment as an intern under UNDSCVRD SF’s BrownThought Academy. During my internship, I was introduced to PapaLoDown Agency and became even more interested in the mission and work that PapaLoDown dedicates itself to.

More Than a Cultural District: SOMA Pilipinas is Community-in-Action and a Cultural Movement

SOMA Pilipinas celebrates five years as San Francisco’s Filipino Cultural Heritage District on Thursday, April 29, 2021, 4-6pm PST at new art and wellness pop-up Kapwa Gardens. The cultural heritage district honors the over 120-year Filipino history and living legacy of making home, celebrating culture, building community and fighting for economic and racial justice. Embodying the spirit of bayanihan, SOMA Pilipinas supports a community-in-action in the highly gentrified South of Market neighborhood — the technology capital of the world for the last decade.

#FilipinosFeedTheFrontlines Delivers 500+ Meals This Holiday For Frontline, Essential Workers, and Communities in Need

Filipinos Feed the Frontlines — an ongoing, local meal distribution & restaurant stabilization initiative by Kultivate Labs — is partnering with an anonymous local donor who is contributing funds for 500 meals to frontline & essential workers, while providing financial relief to restaurants in San Francisco's Filipino Cultural District SOMA Pilipinas.

PR for the People Spotlight: Erina Alejo | Artist

While the COVID-19 pandemic has postponed AHOR exhibitions, including my solo show, I learned to adapt by promoting the online events through which I present AHOR, honing my writing skills through crafting photo essays and newsletters, intentionally using social media to share bits about my practice, and pitching my story to media outlets.

Popular Filipino Night Market Expands To Global Audience With ‘UNDISCOVERED X’

Filipinx-American non-profit Kultivate Labs will host “UNDISCOVERED X,” a 2-day virtual gathering of Filipinx entrepreneurs, creatives and thought leaders, from October 17-18, 2020. With four virtual stages, four streaming hub cities, over 60 key guests and 50+ sponsor & vendor expo booths, “UNDISCOVERED X,” will showcase a range of Filipinx stories, art, music, panel discussions and more.

Client NewsPaloma ConcordiaSeptember 9, 2020undscvrd x, san francisco, soma pilipinas, south of market, Kultivate LabsComment

‘baysia’ Art and Dinner Series Rescheduled With Plans For Virtual Events

South of Market Arts Orgs Balay Kreative and Kearny Street Workshop Deal With New Reality of Social Distancing

THE LODOWN

contact us

Privacy Policy

ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT