Tuesday, August 28, 2012

The White House Forum on Urban Innovation

The Center participated in a forum at The White House yesterday that brought people from all over the country to share information about innovations in their respective areas.  The White House Forum on Urban Innovation is a part of a new set of conversations hosted by The White House to spotlight stories of social innovation on the ground.  The White House wanted to learn from pioneers who are driving change in challenging times and to explore new ways federal policymaking can support their endeavors. 

Today, many of our cities are growing at a faster rate than our suburbs, a phenomenon we have not seen since the 1920s.  Within those cities, many neighborhoods have struggled with concentrated poverty and economic immobility for generations.  These innovations exemplify the goals of the Obama administration and the best of Aemrican ingenuity in creating jobs, improving economic resilience, and strengthening urban communities.

Center President Norris McDonald was given the opportunity to describe our Stormwater Credit Exchange and Section 3 Water Efficiency Entrepreneur Progrm.

Opening remarks were provided by Racquel Russell, Deputy Assistant to the President for Urban Affairs and Economic Mobility and Jonathan Greenblatt, Director, White House Office of Social Innovation and Civil Participation.

Administration perspectives were given by Valerie Jarrrett, Senior Advisor and Assistant to the President and Cecilia Munoz, Director, White House Domestic Policy Council.

Spotlight on Innovators: Session 1 included Angela Blanchard, Neighborhood Centers, Inc., Mayor Pedro Segarra, City of Hartford, Carol Thompson Cole, Venture Philanthropy Partners, and Jennifer Crozier, IBM Corporate Citizenship.

Spotlight on Innovators: Session 2 included Rachel Haot, City of New York, Yusef Freeman, McCormack Baron Salazar, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, City of Pittsburgh, Jessica Venegas, 100,000 Homes, and Kristine Breese, Jacob Center for Neighborhood Innovation.

Breakout Workshops included Neighborhood Revitalization moderated by Luke Tate, White House Domestic Policy Council, Public Health moderated by Julie Moreno, White House Domestic Policy Council, Education moderated by Jim Shelton, Department of Education and Economic Development moderated by Ari Matusiak, White House Office of Public Engagement.  (The White House)

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