Corissa Hernandez, M.Ed. '06

On Jan. 24, Los Angeles City Councilman Kevin de León introduced and nominated Corissa Hernandez, M.Ed ’06, to the board of Building and Safety Commissioners. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also nominated Hernandez, who was confirmed unanimously.

Hernandez is the co-founder and visionary behind Legacy Full Circle Financial & Insurance Services, The Empire Tavern, House of Xelas and Nativo Highland Park, and the proud daughter of Mexican immigrants. After earning degrees at Cal Poly Pomona and UCLA, she began her career as a teacher in the Los Angeles public school system, until the 2008 recession brought in her first call to action, and she began her life of school teacher by day and financial educator by night.

As Legacy Full Circle took flight, Hernandez was inspired to meet unmet needs in her community, connecting with other first-gen people of color and underrepresented groups, and she opened three craft beer and cocktail businesses over the next four years, establishing herself as one of the stand-out female entrepreneurs in a male-dominated industry. Her work has been in The Los Angeles Times, ABC VistaLA, LA Magazine, EaterLA, Telemundo, UCLA Magazine and more.

Today, Hernandez successfully runs her three businesses while still working to give back. She has partnered with over 100 creatives, aspiring entrepreneurs, small business owners and restaurateurs of color. Through her work, she shares advice, words of wisdom and everything she wishes she would’ve known in business through her mentorship sessions with other spirited entrepreneurs like herself.