Economic development is a tool for promoting financial well-being and improving the quality of life for communities by creating, retaining, and expanding jobs that facilitate growth, enhance wealth, and provide a stable tax base. Yet, it is apparent that in our current economy, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color do not benefit equally.
Our proposed session will challenge economic development organizations and professionals to approach their work through a racial equity lens to identify the roots and patterns of structural racism, work to reduce barriers to opportunities, and contribute to closing the racial wealth gap.
Using IEDC’s newly released playbook as a guide, speakers will offer best practices and innovative models from the field on integrating racial equity into key areas of economic development like entrepreneurship, job creation, and neighborhood development to ensure a more equitable distribution of wealth and prosperity in their communities.
