Philanthropy And Economic Inclusion In Southern Cities

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Join The Funders Network, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, and New Growth Innovation Network (NGIN) in a virtual roundtable to help define the role philanthropic institutions can play, individually and collectively, in advancing more inclusive economic growth. The roundtable seeks to engage local, regional, and national foundations working in the Southern U.S. states (Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee, Texas, Kentucky, and West Virginia) to deepen their knowledge and understanding of inclusive, equity-centered economic development strategies and tools.

Funders will leave with strategies to develop an inclusive economy that centers equity, community voice, and community-driven solutions while fostering economic growth, mobility, development, and resiliency.

What to expect:

• • Peer discussions on where philanthropy has been and where it would like to see itself when making investments to shift racial outcomes and uplift equitable opportunity, especially in the South.
  • Insights from engaging local leaders in the Southern U.S. on approaches and models for advancing equity and inclusion and the role philanthropy can play in boldly supporting inclusive growth.
  • Examples of where targeted investments, especially philanthropic, have made great strides in lessening the racial wealth gap and how those opportunities came together.
  • An overview of investment flows to support wealth creation and mobility.

Speakers

(Speakers from left to right):

Row one:

• James Crowder, Senior Associate, Annie E. Casey Foundation
• Swati A. Ghosh, Vice President, Insights and Innovations, New Growth Innovation Network (NGIN)
• Jessica Gonzalez, Inclusive Economic Development Advisor, New Growth Innovation Network (NGIN)

Row two:

• Sterling Johnson, Director, Just Opportunity,  Partnership for Southern Equity (TFN’s Inclusive Economies Steering Committee)
• Rukia Lumumba, Executive Director, People’s Advocacy Institute
• Dwayne Patterson, Chief Equity Officer, Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation

Row three: 

• Benjamin Teague, Vice President of Strategic Development, Biltmore Farms
• Karla Twedt-Ball, Senior Vice President, Programs & Community Investment, Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation
  (Co-Chair, TFN’s Inclusive Economies Steering Committee)
• Charlene van Dijk, Senior Adviser, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta

 Session Overview

1. Welcome and Introductions
2. Insights from the Southern Cities for Equity and Inclusion (SCEI Initiative)
3. Deepening an Understanding (Part 1): How Local Philanthropy Can Engage to Advance More Regional Economic Development Strategies. Advancing inclusive economic development has proven to be easier spoken than acted upon in the South. In this session, field practitioners across philanthropy, community development, economic development, and research will convene to share their insights on what their experiences have been in identifying how they see inclusion activated throughout the South and recommendations they have for greater collaboration.
4. Deepening an Understanding (Part 2): The Role of Community Based Organizations Activating Inclusive Growth. One consistent theme in advancing inclusive growth in a community is leveraging and highlighting the innovations on the ground. These are typically held deeply in forward-thinking community-based organizations who have intentionally identified how to center those most impacted and isolated from economic strategies. This session will highlight voices from the South who are wielding new ways to build more economically just systems which sustain the livelihood and long-term wealth of communities of color.
5. Wrap-up

 About Inclusive Economies