The livestream below will begin at the time of the event.

Together, The Century Foundation and the Urban Manufacturing Alliance have assembled a cohort of eight leading urban workforce development organizations forging diversity, equity, and inclusion in manufacturing—an effort we’re calling Industry and Inclusion. Our cohort members are seizing on seismic changes in technology and manufacturing, and advancing an inclusive future for the production economy. 

Join us on Wednesday, September 30 at 2:30 PM EST as we explore ways in which people of color can build wealth through opportunities in manufacturing—from entry-level careers with pathways to management, ownership, and entrepreneurship. In this webinar, cohort members and other partners will be discussing how their organizations’ programs are leading to more sustainable, equitable, and just outcomes in their communities.

We’ll be asking questions such as:

  • How can your organization explicitly center racial equity in mission and program? What opportunities do you see as the most powerful?
  • What has your experience been like working with industry partners on issues of racial equity and inclusion? What about your experiences with other organizations, such as education partners, other non-profits, and governmental entities? 
  • How much of the racial equity discussion is about serving clients versus changing larger systems, such as public education or corporate culture, through changes in policy or practice?
  • During COVID-19, what are steps that your organization can take to strengthen and diversify your programs in the long run?

Our panelists will explore how they are integrating racial equity into their organizations’ programs, how they would answer some of these questions, and how they could contextualize their work for other attendees.

Panelists include:

  • Erica Staley, executive director, Manufacturing Renaissance
  • Dan Swinney, founder, Manufacturing Renaissance
  • Guy Loudon, executive vice president-business and industry services, Jane Addams Resource Center
  • Bernadine Hawes, chairwoman, Delaware Valley Industrial Resource Center (DVIRC)
  • Andrew Stettner, senior fellow, The Century Foundation
  • Lee Wellington, executive director, Urban Manufacturing Alliance

The session will be facilitated by Dr. Ron Williams, assistant professor, Coppin State University.