Earlier this month, four South Bend women traveled to Indianapolis to share their organizing experiences at this year’s Prosperity Indiana Summit, “20/20 Seeing Opportunity through the Lens of Values.” The Summit is designed to push the boundaries of traditional community and economic development thinking and practice. Prosperity Indiana’s mission is to build a better future for our communities by providing advocacy, leveraging resources, and engaging an impowered network of members to create inclusive opportunities that build assets and improve lives.
Their session, “REAL. CHANGE. NOW!” featured presentations by
Regina Williams-Preston, President of the Community Forum for Economic Justice
Stacey Odom, CEO of the nonprofit, Odom Community Developers
Consuella Hopkins, Redeveloper, CEO and Founder of Swella’s Ville
Jen Betz, A leader of the Open Spaces and Agricultural Alliance of St. Joseph County
Inclusive economic development is not just about building buildings or businesses; it's about building people. It’s about making change people can see, touch, and feel right now. Benefit from lessons learned in South Bend – recognize development anywhere impacts residents everywhere. Only through collaborative action among policymakers, business owners, and residents will we achieve the goal of “Development Without Displacement.” Hear strategies for increasing engagement and codifying reflective practice. Learn to use stories as data to identify and fill policy gaps. Apply these lessons to the current debate on a mega-industrial complex threatening thousands of acres of some of the best farmland in Indiana.
These dynamic and dedicated community activists will repeat their presentations at the March public meeting of the Community Forum for Economic Justice.
When: Tuesday, March 17, 2020 —- 6 pm to 8 pm
Where: Civil Rights Heritage Center
(1040 W Washington St. South Bend)
You are invited to join us.