The Center

Family Business Center · About

A center of excellence for the next generation.

To be the nation’s premier faith-integrated center of excellence for family business — equipping multigenerational family enterprises in the Inland Empire and beyond with AI-powered tools, ethical frameworks, and practical strategies for resilience, growth, and lasting legacy.

Mission

What we do, and for whom.

The Family Business Center strengthens family-owned enterprises through a trusted peer community, the applied expertise of California Baptist University’s Dr. Robert K. Jabs School of Business, and values-aligned programming — from governance and succession to AI readiness — that turns knowledge into action and protects the legacies families spend generations building.

Guiding philosophy

The FBC’s core value lies in the relationships members build with one another, the shared wisdom of multi-generational business leadership, and CBU’s institutional commitment to strengthening family enterprises. AI readiness and strategy services are positioned as a high-value enhancement to this foundation — not a replacement for it.

Why CBU

What a university brings that a consultancy cannot.

Applied research

Peer-reviewed studies on AI marketing, forecasting, and succession. Members get first access to findings and toolkits.

Faculty expertise

Direct access to professors with decades of experience in strategy, AI/ML, finance, law, and entrepreneurship.

Professional infrastructure

Event facilities, enterprise-grade technology, and hybrid capability at no additional cost to members.

Student talent pipeline

CBU students for capstone projects, internships, and low-cost consulting such as AI audits and market analysis.

Regional network

Built-in connections to Riverside and San Bernardino counties, SBDCs, chambers of commerce, and partner universities.

Institutional permanence

University-anchored stability, grant eligibility, and long-term dedicated leadership grounded in a Christ-centered mission.

2026 so far

A funded, regionally visible engine.

In the first six months of 2026 the Center executed a $100,000 Professional Service Agreement with the Riverside County Office of Economic Development, completed a four-city seminar and workshop series (Temecula, Palm Desert, Beaumont, and CBU/Riverside), launched the AI Readiness Check, and debuted the Advisors Hot Seat. Between July and August the FBC provided consulting and services to 22 family businesses — 19 in Riverside County and 3 in San Bernardino County.

Working with
Riverside County Office of Economic DevelopmentInland Empire SBDCAmPac Business CapitalCity of Riverside
Road to 2030

Reenergize, build, accelerate, lead.

2026

Reenergize

Revitalized events, Legacy Link pilot, AI Readiness Check, membership launch, FBC Podcast.

2027–28

Build & scale

Empirical studies, AI tools and case studies, expanded sponsor base, published research.

2029

Accelerate

AI Innovation Lab, beta programs, flagship summit preparation, partnership expansion.

2030

National leader

AI Innovation Hub, a flagship summit, 100+ member firms, book and video series.

Stewardship

Ethics before efficiency.

Biblical principles of stewardship guide the Center’s approach to data ethics, bias mitigation, and human-centered AI — a model for faith-based institutions and a standard members can hold their vendors to.