A Quarter Century Building a More Just Economy

JEDI was founded in 1996 with a mission to increase the economic well-being of people and communities through business development and local wealth creation. The activity was chosen expressly to address issues of rural poverty and economic decline. JEDI provides small business development services to people and communities throughout far northern California.

Championing Small Businesses and the

People Who Create Them!

Small Business Hero

Award Recipients

These 4 businesses have many things in common: 

Perseverance. Sustainability.

Community Benefit. Innovation.

They are shaping and driving their industries.

They each found a unique niche.

Each expresses how much they value their employees.

They each give back to the community significantly. 

They each faced adversity and turned it into an opportunity.

And funny enough, they all remember the first time they came to JEDI.

Transforming Lives Through Entrepreneurship for All

Our focus has always been serving people and communities that are traditionally underserved and systemically marginalized. Since 1997, we have assisted entrepreneurs to start, grow, and expand small businesses through the Northern California region as a means to generate local wealth and prosperity. This is at once an anti-poverty and economic development strategy that has contributed to community resiliency.

Photos from JEDI’s Silver Anniversary at POPS Performing Arts and Cultural Center

Karrie Ann Snure (Shasta Photography by KA)

Special thanks to everyone who helped make this event possible!

Robin Fator and Colleen Shelly

Marian Doub and Bob Thawley

Derk Shelly
JEDI Staff and Board of Directors

Catering: Liza Wood and Aaron Simpson of Lunchbox Dinners

Venue: Victor Martin and Allison Scull of Pop’s Performing Arts and Cultural Center.

Printing: Gold Nugget

Photography: Karrie Ann Snure (Shasta Photography by KA)

Music: Rick Garrett
Additional Photo and Video: Athena Maniatis and Asia Taylor