A bold, new organizational solution for building a more equitable, prosperous and sustainable region for all. Tawanna A. Black Founder
The Center for Economic Inclusion disrupts the status quo and capitalizes on our region s full potential OUR MISSION The Center for Economic Inclusion is a crosssector organization committed to strengthening the region s civic infrastructure and collective capacity to disrupt systems and influence market forces to catalyze shared prosperity and an inclusive economy. CENTER FOR ECONOMIC INCLUSION 2
Pursuing Bold Results Regional Change as a Result of Our Collective Commitment to Disruptive Action & Inclusive Leadership 3
The Center for Economic Inclusion will allow our region to accomplish what others have not Growth Inclusion Inclusive Growth The challenge historically has been that the growth and inclusion camps usually operate on separate tracks, driven by different cultures and politics, pursue distinct goals, and respond to non-overlapping metrics 1 Inclusive growth is a process that encourages long-run growth by improving the productivity of individuals and firms in order to raise local living standards (prosperity) for all (inclusion). 1 The road to that economy starts with solutions at the intersection of Race, Place & Income... The Center will confront market failure and influence policies and practices in every sector to achieve and sustain an inclusive economy 1 Brookings Institution. Opportunity for Growth: How reducing barriers to economic inclusion to benefit workers, firms and local economies. 2017. 4
The Center will be an unrelenting voice for what IS possible an economy that works for all The Center will both build upon past work and cut through stagnation; it will Establish a new, economic growth-focused narrative and advocate for it at scale Set new standards for what an inclusive organization is and does and hold each sector accountable to its commitments Instill among regional leaders the practice of tackling issues through inclusion Use data to design new, innovative strategies and build capacity and linkages between existing organizations to realize them 5
Inclusion is our growth strategy and the Center will catalyze it The Center for Economic Inclusion is a cross-sector organization aimed at strengthening the region s civic infrastructure to catalyze an inclusive, growing economy What are the guiding principles of the Center? Act local, think regional Civic infrastructure What are the characteristics of an inclusive economy? Guiding principle Description Characteristic 1 Description 1 The Center will facilitate deeper People are able to effectively Cross-sector Partnership collaboration across all sectors, maximizing private sector leadership. Access to opportunity access and participate in markets as workers, consumers, and business owners 2 3 The Center will drive regional investments toward results in low-income areas and connect low-income places and people with regional opportunities The Center will build intentional networks and ensure that the region s decision-makers account for and reflect its many forms of diversity Upward mobility Empowerment People are able to advance in their careers, accumulate wealth, and make long-term investments with confidence in the future People are empowered to drive economic growth in their community through innovation and new business creation 1 Adapted from Rockefeller Foundation. Inclusive Economy Indicators. December 2016. 6
The Center will exercise six levers to catalyze economic inclusion 1 2 What will the Center do? Advocacy: Advance innovative, datadriven policy solutions in all sectors Shift the Paradigm: Elevate new narratives with consistent, intentional messaging How will the region benefit? Inclusion agendas for policymakers and CEOs Constructive ability to call the question around inclusion 3 4 5 6 Collaboration: Drive accountability, create platforms for rigor, relevance & scale Research: Create and amplify actionoriented, applied research Action: Pilot ambitious, innovative initiatives on limited basis Philanthropy: Drive a collaborative, datadriven approach to investment Culture change and deeper capacity for all partners Shifts problem analysis into culture of solutions Practice of human-centered design, ability to scale success Results-producing strategies have the resources to scale 7
The Center will focus its efforts in 3, interdependent impact areas that accelerate growth and opportunity Documented barriers 1 Impact areas for the Center Dynamism barriers inhibit firm creation and expansion, processes that fuel employment and productivity growth Skills barriers prevent workers from gaining the knowledge and capabilities to fill good-paying jobs and reach economic selfsufficiency Access barriers physically and socially isolate individuals in particular communities from economic opportunity A B C Economic Development: The Center will increase economic vitality in racially-diverse communities and the region by advancing efforts that: Increase access to capital, technical assistance, and contracting opportunities for minority-owned businesses Scale small and mid-sized firms positioned to grow and create jobs Catalyze infrastructure investment, landbanking, and redevelopment Human Capital: The Center will connect local talent to the regional marketplace by supporting efforts that: Increase access to racially-responsive job training and search assistance Leverage the regional workforce development system Prioritize creating more inclusive workplaces Increase access to living-wage work Transit & Accessibility: The Center will advance regional transit solutions that connect workers, employers, customers and businesses through partnerships that encourage development along transit lines to support job growth, increased wealth, housing opportunity, and corridor vitality 1 September 2017 Brookings Report Opportunity for growth: How reducing barriers to economic inclusion can benefit workers, firms, and local economies 8