THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING!

Forum on Advancing Regional Inclusive Economic Growth & Competitiveness: Public Sector Index Release

Wednesday, November 29 - 8 a.m. - 10 a.m. 
Hamline University Klas Center (1537 W Taylor Ave), Kay Fredericks Room

The Center for Economic Inclusion is leading the nation in helping organizations establish measurable place-based racial equity goals and strategies.

At this event, the Center for Economic Inclusion will unveil findings from this first-ever Public Sector Index report and share analysis, trends, and promising practices that City, County, and government bodies can use to make decisions that will close racial employment, income, and wealth gaps. 

This event is a powerful opportunity for leaders across Minnesota to come together and learn how we can position our region as a national leader for investing together to build good jobs, racial wealth equity and inclusive economic competitiveness. Will we see you there? 

Light breakfast will be provided. Register to attend, and spread the word to your strategic partners. Space is limited.

The data we have gathered from the 22 organizations who joined this effort offers a baseline for other cities and counties to measure up to. Progress toward building a racially equitable economy can be attributed to these organizations that have embraced the need for measurable, sustainable, and systemic change rooted in principles of anti-racism.  

MORE DETAILS:

MODERATOR:

Tawanna A. Black - Founder and CEO, Center for Economic Inclusion

Tawanna A. Black is an award-winning architect of racially inclusive and equitable talent, supply chain, philanthropy and marketing strategies that yield transformational results for businesses, their consumers, and the communities they work in.

For more than 20 years, she has earned the trust of executives by mobilizing teams to create and execute strategies that benefit diverse workers, consumers, and business owners and drive growth and fiscal health.

As Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of the Center for Economic Inclusion (the Center), Ms. Black is on a mission to fuel racially inclusive and equitable regional economic growth in cities across the country. She has unlocked the formula for responsible corporate action to build shared economic growth while increasing consumer, shareholder, and investor trust and loyalty. The Center’s proprietary, industry-leading employer assessment, index, and tools help businesses identify the impact of policies, investments and actions on employee productivity, business growth, and community impact. Their stakeholder engagement, change management consultation and coaching place inclusion, anti-racism and belonging in the center in to drive measurable financial return and economic competitiveness for the cities and regions where they operate. Each year, Ms. Black and her team offer services to more than 50 businesses and government agencies and educate over 12,000 leaders.

FEATURING:

Hal Reynolds - AVP, Employer Services & Consulting 

As Associate Vice President (AVP) of Employer Services and Consulting, Hal Reynolds leads a team of strategists, educators, analysts, and consultants to design and deliver anti-racist change management and organizational transformation services. Hal has led and executed sales strategy and objectives, overseen corporate responsibility and social impact functions, and served in various leadership capacities with Best Buy and Best Buy Teen Tech Centers. He also has experience leading strategy, governance, and fiscal oversight.

In his role at the Center, Hal is responsible for developing and managing a compelling vision for employer services and consulting that attracts a relevant base of clients, capable employees, and complementary strategic partners; developing and facilitating a measurable annual strategy in collaboration with organizational and department leaders and cultivating an environment of results measurement leveraging the Center’s EOS framework; and developing and leading strategies for establishing and expanding partnerships and business relationships to grow revenue.

 Nathan Arnosti, Director of Analytics 

As Director of Analytics, Nathan leads the Center’s work to develop and offer proprietary consulting products and tools which analyze employee, resident, and business data and leverage best practices in antiracism, policy research, and systems change to inform public and private sector employer actions.

Nathan and the Analytics team partners with our consultants to provide comprehensive organizational analysis that enables the Center to guide business leaders, public-sector employers, and policy makers to take strategic actions to dismantle institutional racism and close racial employment, income, and wealth gaps and improve their bottom-line results.

PANELISTS:

Jeff Aguy - 2043 Corp

A renowned national speaker, Jeff Aguy shines a light on the power of collaboration among leaders, with teams, and across industries. He is recognized for his compelling approach to fostering private-public partnerships on both local and national stages. Jeff manages his family's portfolio of companies where he serves as CEO for 2043 Corp., leading regional economic growth at the crossroads of innovation, infrastructure, and workforce.

He obtained his Bachelor of Science in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from Oakwood University. He further enriched his academic pursuits with a Master of Arts in Creativity and Innovation from Andrews University. Not stopping there, Jeff acquired a Six Sigma Black Belt Certification from the Management & Science Institute. His drive for continuous learning led him to esteemed research tours at Harvard Innovation Lab and Florida Hospital Innovation Lab.

Faith Jackson - Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer, City of Bloomington

As the City of Bloomington’s Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer, Faith Jackson directs and supports the city departments, commissions, and elected officials in improving and strengthening diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout City government. Since joining in October 2019, Faith has guided the City in adopting a racial equity business plan, standing up staff-led equity capacity-building teams, establishing employee resource groups, and utilizing racial equity tools.

In the fall of 2020, Faith championed efforts to adopt a resolution declaring racism a public health crisis. Faith encouraged the mayor and council to go beyond a declaration and establish a community-led Racial Equity Strategic Planning Committee (RESPC) to identify the most impactful policies and practices the City would work on to begin reducing racial disparities. The RESPC proposed investing in public health, supporting small businesses by developing a business resource center, developing BIPOC payment assistance initiatives, expanding public safety mental health services, and more collaboration with the school district. The City Council unanimously approved the proposal. Most recently, Faith helped stand the Office of Racial Equity Inclusion and Belonging to solidify ongoing efforts and ensure this work is sustainable. 

Breanne Rothstein - City of Brooklyn Park

Breanne Rothstein has a distinct passion for communities and strives to help them be welcoming places through meaningful, inclusive community partnerships. She offers over 20 years of experience in the public and private sectors, most recently as Director of Economic Development and Housing for the City of Brooklyn Park.

Together with her team of committed professionals, Breanne specializes in undoing unjust systems and rebuilding them, particularly in the housing, small business, workforce, and commercial real estate industries. She has presented on over 40 panels, sessions, and workshops, most recently sharing the effective and powerful economic inclusion policy change in Brooklyn Park, which is having a profound impact on the community.

What is the Racial Equity Dividends Index for the Public Sector?

The 2023 Racial Equity Dividends Index for the Public Sector is a comprehensive analytical tool developed by the Center for Economic Inclusion to help local governments design communities of the future, using their knowledge of public policy, housing, parks, land use, workforce systems, and more, to build an economy that truly works for everyone.

MORE UPCOMING EVENTS:
Powering Inclusion Fall Forum Virtual Event: Employer Benefits and Public Policies: Innovative Formulas to Fuel Inclusive Housing - Featuring Shoreé Ingram, Isaac Russell, and Heather Worthington

December 15, 11:30am-1pm CT
Free Zoom event: Register now!

Our consultants are ready to help organizations use build their 2024 strategies. If you would like to talk about how we can help you get a jump start on taking action to close racial wealth gaps in your community, please reach out to Nashan McKelton at activate@centerforeconomicinclusion.org.