MEET THE PRESIDENT
Salena Pryor is a dedicated advocate and strategist with more than 20 years of experience in coalition building, outreach, and small business development. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Government from California State University, Sacramento, where she developed a strong foundation in public policy, civic engagement, and state
governance.
Salena Pryor, President
As President and CEO of the Black Small Business Association of California (BSBA-CA), she has positioned the organization as a trusted partner for entrepreneurs navigating the challenges of building, sustaining, and scaling their businesses.
Under Salena’s leadership, BSBA-CA has grown into a central hub for socially and economically disadvantaged business owners, providing the tools, training, and visibility needed to thrive.
She has designed and delivered high-impact programming such as Finance Fridays, Business Boost, and the Growth Vault, all focused on improving business infrastructure, access to capital, and long-term sustainability. Salena’s work bridges the gap between small business owners and critical stakeholders—including banks, government agencies, chambers of commerce, and community partners—to expand resources and bootcamps for entrepreneurs across California.
Salena went on to serve as a Capitol staffer and consultant to the California Legislative Black Caucus for more than 15 yeas, supporting legislative initiatives, stakeholder engagement, policy strategy, and community outreach efforts impacting undeserved communities throughout California. She also spent five years working as a lobbyist, building relationships between policymakers, organizations, and community stakeholders to advance equitable policy solutions.
Her expertise lies in culturally responsive engagement and creating pathways for Black, women, veteran, and disadvantaged small business owners to gain fair access to contracts, funding, and networks. Whether hosting workshops, programs, leading, or convening statewide partners, Salena ensures every program delivers actionable results that strengthen California’s small business ecosystem.