Event

Thriving at the Intersection of Economic Development and Diversity

Jessica Reilly · May 8, 2024 ·

On May 2nd, 2024, over 500 business, government, and community leaders gathered at the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center for the 11th Annual Madison Region Economic Development & Diversity Summit. Organized by the Madison Region Economic Partnership (MadREP) and the Urban League of Greater Madison (ULGM), this event has become a crucial platform for addressing the economic and diversity issues impacting the Madison Region.

This year’s summit, presented by Alliant Energy and UW Health, was filled with inspiring keynote speakers, interactive workshops, insightful panel discussions, and engaging breakout sessions. Here, we recap the key highlights and takeaways from this much-anticipated event.

Dynamic Keynote Speakers

LeRoy Butler’s Motivational Speech

LeRoy Butler, former NFL player and Pro Football Hall of Famer, took the stage with an inspiring keynote that emphasized the importance of perseverance and community support. Butler shared his personal story of overcoming adversity, from his childhood challenges in a crime-infested housing project to his triumphant career with the Green Bay Packers. His message resonated deeply with the audience, reminding everyone that no matter the circumstances, perseverance and community can pave the way to success.

Michele Ghee on Reframing Our Value

Michele Ghee, Business Transformation Visionary and former CEO of Ebony & Jet Magazine, captivated the audience with her presentation titled “Reframing Our Value.” She highlighted the transformative potential of diversity and inclusion in business practices. Ghee’s insights on how businesses can harness the power of diverse perspectives to drive innovation and growth were both enlightening and motivating.

Quality of Life in Wisconsin and the Madison Region

Presentation by Mckenzie Boyce

PhD student Mckenzie Boyce delivered a compelling presentation on the quality of life in Wisconsin and the Madison Region. Boyce highlighted traditional and contemporary economic development measures, emphasizing the shift from focusing solely on jobs and businesses to prioritizing people and quality of life. Her research on telework, financial literacy, broadband adoption, and community economic development provided valuable insights into the factors contributing to a higher quality of life in the region.

Workshop Highlights

Multi-Generational Teams by Chisa Miller

Chisa Miller’s workshop on “Multi-Generational Teams” explored the challenges and benefits of managing diverse workforces spanning different generations. Miller offered practical strategies for fostering collaboration and understanding across generational divides. Attendees left with actionable insights on how to leverage the unique strengths of each generation to create a more cohesive and productive workplace.

Leveraging Community Engagement to Drive Racial Equity by the Urban Institute

Led by Mikaela Tajo and Lynden Bond from the Urban Institute, this workshop focused on effective strategies for promoting racial equity and inclusive growth through community engagement. Attendees learned the importance of partnering with community members to address underlying causes of racial inequities. The workshop provided valuable resources and toolkits to help participants integrate community engagement principles into their work.

Insightful Panel Discussions

Depoliticizing DEI Efforts

The panel discussion on “Depoliticizing DEI” tackled the challenges of maintaining diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives amidst political pressures. Moderated by Dr. Ruben L. Anthony, Jr., the panel featured leaders like Shiva Bidar-Sielaff, Angela Russell, and Jim Yehle, who shared their experiences and strategies for keeping DEI efforts focused and impactful. They emphasized the business benefits of DEI and how it transcends politics, driving innovation and resilience.

Business Owners of Color

In this session, business owners of color shared their success stories and the unique challenges they face. The discussion highlighted the importance of access to resources, networks, and support systems in fostering entrepreneurial success among minority communities. Attendees were inspired by these stories and gained valuable insights on how to support and uplift minority-owned businesses.

Equity and the Green Economy

Moderated by Maria Redmond, this panel explored the intersection of environmental sustainability and social justice. Panelists Valora Gutierrez, Sam Dunaiski, and Adrienne Nienow discussed how the green economy can create new opportunities for historically underserved communities. They shared strategies for ensuring that the transition to renewable energy and sustainable practices is fair and inclusive.

Interactive Breakout Sessions

AI’s Impact on DEI

This breakout session explored the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion. Participants learned about AI-driven tools and technologies that can help organizations identify and address biases, improve hiring practices, and create more inclusive workplaces. The session also covered the ethical considerations of using AI in DEI initiatives.

Resources for Diverse Entrepreneurs

This session provided valuable information on resources and support available to BIPOC entrepreneurs. Attendees learned about funding opportunities, mentorship programs, and networking events designed to help minority-owned businesses thrive. The session aimed to empower entrepreneurs with the tools and knowledge needed to succeed in today’s competitive market.

Moving Forward

As the summit concluded, there was a palpable sense of optimism and determination among participants. The discussions and connections made at the event underscored the importance of collaborative efforts in advancing economic development and diversity. Attendees left with actionable insights and renewed motivation to implement inclusive practices within their organizations and communities.

The Madison Region Economic Development & Diversity Summit continues to be a crucial platform for fostering dialogue and driving progress. The lessons learned and the connections made at this year’s summit will undoubtedly contribute to a more equitable and prosperous future for the Madison Region.

That’s A Wrap

The 11th Annual Madison Region Economic Development & Diversity Summit was a resounding success, bringing together leaders from various sectors to address critical issues and share innovative solutions. The event reinforced the significance of diversity and inclusion in driving economic growth and creating resilient communities.

For those who couldn’t attend or want to learn more, consider reaching out to the Madison Region Economic Partnership (MadREP) or the Urban League of Greater Madison (ULGM). Our organizations continue to provide valuable resources and support for economic development and diversity initiatives.

Ready to take action? Connect with fellow professionals, implement the insights gained from the summit, and join us in building a more inclusive and prosperous Madison Region.

MadREP Announces Entrepreneur Bootcamp in Partnership with Lightship Foundation & The American Family Insurance Institute

Jessica Reilly · Sep 14, 2023 ·

Lightship’s Bootcamp is a free entrepreneurship education program, serving underrepresented early-stage business founders.

Lightship Bootcamp is coming to Madison, WI. September 19-21, 2023.

Madison Region Economic Partnership (MadREP) and Lightship Foundation unveiled plans to bring the Lightship Bootcamp program, powered by the American Family Insurance Institute for Corporate and Social Impact (the Institute) to the Madison Region. The organizations will host three days of “bootcamp” (September 19-21, 2023) at the Goodman South campus of Madison College, providing mentorship, specialized curriculum, and networking for underrepresented entrepreneurs seeking to grow their businesses within South Central Wisconsin.

“We’re ecstatic to unite with the American Family Institute to introduce Lightship Bootcamps to Madison, Wisconsin,” says Candice Matthews Brackeen, CEO, Lightship Foundation. “Our aspiration is for this partnership to ignite the flames of innovation and opportunity, enriching neighborhoods and empowering founders from diverse backgrounds.”

Bootcamp is designed to help founders rediscover, refine, and reinvent their business strategy while reevaluating their product, sales, and marketing strategies. Interested founders should apply now at lightship.education/apply.

“Equitability, accessibility and inclusivity is sewn into the very fabric of everything we do. When we prioritize equitableness and strategically create opportunities, exciting things start to happen.”
MadREP President & CEO Jason M. Fields, CEcD, CFEI, CCRS

The Madison Region’s upcoming Lightship Bootcamp also serves as the first formal program under the Economic Equity & Investment priority of the organization’s newly formed “Bridge Wisconsin” initiative led by Bridge Wisconsin Chief Strategy Officer Tonnetta Darcel Carter. The initiative works collaboratively to close economic gaps and drive innovation for rural and urban communities, supporting five strategic priority areas: Housing, Early Childhood Education, Economic Equity & Investment, Workforce Development, and Sustainability.

“Equitability, accessibility and inclusivity is sewn into the very fabric of everything we do,” says MadREP President & CEO Jason M. Fields, CEcD, CFEI, CCRS. “When we prioritize equitableness and strategically create opportunities, exciting things start to happen. Lightship Foundation’s Bootcamp, powered by the American Family Institute, is the perfect opportunity to expand economic equity across our region and formally launch our Bridge Wisconsin initiative.”

“The Institute is excited to bring together mission-aligned organizations like Lightship Foundation and MadREP to provide equitable opportunity to founders within the Madison Region,” said Nyra Jordan, social impact director with the Institute. “We believe this is a place where founders of color can thrive, and we want to provide access to world class resources as early as possible.”

“Access to capital has been historically disproportionate for women entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs of color,” says Dr. Jack Daniels, President of Madison College. “At Madison College, we pride ourselves on providing equitable and affordable access to resources, technical assistance, and education in our communities. We are excited to host the entrepreneur bootcamp at our Goodman South campus and to welcome Lightship Foundation to our Region.”

Apply Now

Madison 365: Urban League, MadREP summit focuses on attracting talent to South Central Wisconsin

Jessica Reilly · May 12, 2023 ·

Source: Madison 365

The Urban League of Greater Madison and Madison Regional Economic Partnership came together to co-host the 10th annual Madison Region’s Economic Development and Diversity Summit at Monona Terrace on May 10 in Madison. The summit focused on expanding opportunity and diversity in the area by discussing how to entice people from across the country to choose Madison as their work location.

Dr. Ruben L. Anthony, president and CEO of Urban League of Greater Madison, and Jason M. Fields, president and CEO of Madison Region Economic Partnership (MadREP), opened the event as both of their organizations have played important roles in increasing opportunity and access for people of color in the area. Fields spoke on the Advance Now 2.0 Strategy, a MadREP report and blueprint for continued economic growth in the area, that was released around four years ago.

“It’s for all of us to answer some of those economic questions,” Fields said to the room. “How do we become better? And how do we become better for everybody in our eight-county area? That includes rural, urban, people of the BIPOC community, including everybody. What do we need to do to make sure that this is a thriving place? As Ruben said earlier, what do we want to do to make sure that when people look at our region, with the choice between the North Carolina Research Triangle, Boston, or South Carolina, they choose us? The strategy is going very well.”

Madison community leaders (l-r) Nasra Wehelie, Linda Vakunta, Carrie Braxton, Dr. Jack Daniels, Camille Carter and Theola Carter attend the 10th annual Madison Region’s Economic Development and Diversity Summit at Monona Terrace.

Laura Dresser, UW-Madison Clinical Associate Professor and Associate Director at the Center on Wisconsin Strategy(COWS), gave the first opening speech for the morning plenary session. Dresser spoke on Wisconsin’s current labor and economic state as well as the racial inequalities present throughout it. Jason R. Thompson, co-founder of CAPE Inclusion, importantly followed up with a discussion on diversity, equity, and inclusion, an area that if improved, could lead to a stronger workforce.

Breakout sessions at the summit included two presentations on neurodiversity in the workplace by Haley Moss, and improving the quality of life in the midwest for rejuvenation by Amanda Weinstein. These were joined by a panel on youth to adult apprenticeship moderated by Bridgett Willey with panelists Hugh Wing, Seth Lentz, Mitch Staroscik, and Liz Pusch. As well as an additional panel on what talented workers are looking for moderated by Mark Richardson with panelists Clara Tavarez, Angela Arrington, Erin Hillson, and Grace Fernando.

Luncheon speaker Troy A. LeMaile-Stovall, CEO of TEDCO, suggested a shifting of framework for the audience, as he also discussed the importance of technology and innovation in the workforce as we develop both locally and globally.

“Let us not lose who the real competition is,” said LeMaile-Stovall. “There’s some other countries that I can name that are sitting and watching us fight amongst our 50 states in our different regions. They’re watching us fight amongst ourselves over some resources, and they’re thinking about how they think as a country. This is not trying to make a political statement, but we’ve got to rethink how we think about this notion of economic development. We have got to think about it in a much more holistic way.”

The last keynote speaker gave perspective both as a former worker of many odds-and-ends type jobs, and as an expert in DEI. Lela Lee, actress and creator of “Angry Little Asian Girl,” gave insight into how employees may feel in contemporary workplace environments. With issues such as sexism, racism, and other discriminations in the workplace driving potential employees away, a cycle of inability to build diverse communities follows. Lee spoke to the importance of not only attracting and keeping a diverse workforce through combating those adverse experiences in the workplace, but also in supporting diverse communities in the city itself.

“If Madison wants to be a Plan A for good people, Madison needs to provide companies with healthy work cultures, and a vibrant community to live in,” Lee said. “It sounds like the job sectors in greater Madison are amazing, but a pattern has emerged that is noticeable. People vote with their feet, and they leave to other metropolitan destinations like Seattle, the Bay Area, Denver, Dallas, Phoenix, and D.C. This made me wonder, are there blind spots in the workplaces? Without offending anyone, I think people for the most part are living out a blueprint that we were given from the generation before.”

Anthony and Fields closed out the event with words of encouragement for sustained commitment to economic and social development in the Madison area and beyond.

Article originally published on madison365.com

Madison 365: It’s Only 10 Minutes: May 12

Jessica Reilly · May 12, 2023 ·

Source: Madison 365

A top exec is leaving Goodwill of Southeast Wisconsin. Plus, a recap of the [Madison Region Economic Partnership and] Urban League’s Economic Development & Diversity Summit and a profile of an Appleton-based culturally-focused mental health practice.

Friday, May 12, 2023 Podcast Episode

Public Service Commission: Gov. Evers, PSC announce Internet for All Wisconsin Listening Tour

Jessica Reilly · May 1, 2023 ·

MADISON – Gov. Evers, together with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC), announced today the statewide Internet for All Wisconsin Listening Tour, a series of nine in-person and two virtual interactive meetings to help develop the state’s five-year action plan to deploy high-speed internet and improve internet affordability and adoption.

Community leaders and all interested members of the public are welcome to attend this free event. Prospective attendees are advised to visit the event website for additional event information as it becomes available.

Wisconsin could expect an allocation of $800 million to $1.1 billion to implement the state’s five-year action plan for broadband and approximately $25 million to implement the state’s Digital Equity Plan under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s ‘Internet for All’ programs. In December 2022, Gov. Tony Evers and the PSC announced the nearly $6 million federal investment for the state to develop these plans by gathering local input from Wisconsinites in broadband access and digital inclusion activities.

“With nearly everything about our economy, our workforce and our way of life depending on access to high-speed internet, it’s important for folks across the state to come together and share their experience and ideas to bridge Wisconsin’s digital divide,” said Gov. Evers. “We have come a long way to get more Wisconsinites connected than ever before with over 390,000 homes and businesses connected to new or improved internet, but there’s still more work to do. As we invest in Wisconsin’s infrastructure and future, the conversations during this Listening Tour will help guide this important work to ensure all can access affordable, reliable, high-speed internet.”

“Public participation is critical to the Commission’s broadband access and digital equity efforts, so I’m excited for the Commission to hit the road and hear from community members across Wisconsin as we develop the state’s five-year action plan,” said Chairperson Rebecca Cameron Valcq. “I look forward to the robust dialogue and community engagement during the statewide Listening Tour.”

The Internet for All Wisconsin Listening Tour is hosted by the PSC’s Wisconsin Broadband Office, in partnership with Wisconsin’s nine regional economic development organizations. If someone is unable to attend an in-person or virtual meeting, they may still submit public comment here.

Event details are as follows:

Internet for All Wisconsin Listening Tour – Southcentral (Madison)

Location:
Madison College – Truax Campus | 1701 Wright Street, Madison, WI 53704

Date:
Tuesday, May 23, 2023
9:00 AM to 11:00 AM CDT

Reserve Your Spot