Equity is essential through economic recovery. Join us as we explore together these and many other questions:
How can we reconsider, reposition and rework economic development to be more inclusive?
What strategies can you employ in your communities to address and reverse disparities and ensure economic opportunities for all?
What resources can economic developers, small business service providers and other leaders use to learn more about diversity, equity and inclusion?
How can we help diversify our own field and grow and diversify the talent pipeline?
What can be done to better leverage procurement to help disadvantaged small businesses?
How could we better leverage the many strengths and talents of our regional and statewide economic development and small business service delivery ecosystems?
What additional resources do we need to do this important work well?
Our keynote speaker and facilitator, Carlecia Wright, along with our diverse panel of Washington state practitioners have perspectives – and we also need your insights and guidance as we address these crucial questions.
About Our Keynote Speaker & Workshop Facilitator: Carlecia Wright is an award-winning Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategist with an extraordinary track record in developing strategies that level the playing field and reduce barriers for underrepresented, marginalized and disadvantaged individuals and communities. This includes providing strategic, operational, and organizational consulting that grows capacity for intercultural competence, nurturance of diverse populations, and inclusive opportunities in leadership and economics. Carlecia served for over eight years as Chief Diversity Officer and Director for the Office of Business Opportunity for the City of Houston, where she led a City Department that ensured economic opportunity and workforce inclusion. Under Carlecia’s focused and strategic direction, the City of Houston developed a renowned record for economic inclusion awarding over $4 billion dollars to diverse businesses in her tenure, a strategy that has become a model for cities around the country.
Best Practices Panel: There are many great examples of inclusion in economic development across our state, particularly through the COVID-19 crisis. These successful strategies cross the most urban and rural parts of Washington, including communities across Snohomish County. Hear from these leaders how they have crafted their outreach strategies, partnered and pivoted in their work.
Pedro Gomez, Director of Small Business Development, Office of Economic Development, City of Seattle
Giselle Saguid, Associate Business Advisor, Everett/Snohomish Small Business Development Center
This workshop is funded by the federal CARES Act.
Date & Time
Tue, Dec 8, 2020 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Washington Economic Development Association
WEDA is a statewide, non-profit association of economic development, local government, port, business, tribal, education and community leaders committed to enhancing the state's climate for economic development.
Our mission is to serve as the statewide professional association committed to the development of economic and employment opportunities in our state. This requires a strong presence in state legislative and regulatory arenas. WEDA is recognized among decision-makers in Olympia as a united voice for economic development. Legislators and the executive branch respect WEDA because it represents a broad cross-section of individuals throughout the state and has the ability to develop and utilize extensive coalitions on any issue central to economic development.
WEDA offers its members and others high quality training and networking opportunities at its meetings throughout the year.
Add To Calendar
