Fostering robust professional advancement and financial stability
The "Economic & Workforce Development Summit: Creating & Developing Opportunities for NY's Economy & Workforce" was held on Thursday at the Museum of Jewish Heritage. The event, sponsored at the platinum level by NYCETC and gold tier by TD Bank, KPMG, and Berkeley College, aimed to bring leaders and innovators together to shape the future of economic and workforce development in New York.
Larry Scott Blackmon, founder and CEO of The Blackmon Organization, emceed the event. The opening keynote address was delivered by New York City Economic Development Corporation President and CEO Andrew Kimball. In his speech, Kimball outlined the ways that the EDC has helped the city build back from economic crises in a forward-looking way that promotes job growth and a diverse economy.
Jennifer Jones Austin, CEO and executive director of FPWA and an anti-poverty advocate, gave the second keynote speech. Jones Austin questioned the purpose of workforce and economic development, stating that it's not just raising employment and meeting market demands; it's meeting people's comprehensive needs, helping them to not just stay afloat but to thrive financially. She interrogated herself about her role, asking if she is a poverty reliever or a liberator, and if charity is good enough or if she must be a justice warrior.
Greg Morris, CEO of New York City Employment and Training Coalition, initially worked as a coordinator for the Summer Youth Employment Program. This initiative connects young adults, particularly from underserved communities, with seasonal jobs. Morris, who has seen the impact of the program firsthand, initially believed that providing a summer job to a young person would put them on a career path. However, he now understands that career development is more complex, requiring skills training, networking, education, and more.
The event concluded with a call to action from Larry Scott Blackmon, who stated that the attendees' support was helping to bring leaders together and innovators to shape the future of economic and workforce development in New York. The summit served as a reminder that the fundamentals of the economy in New York City are strong, and the foundation that organizations like the EDC and NYCETC have built has positioned the city to not just weather the storm, but to find its bearings and continue sailing toward the next horizon.
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