The Welcoming Economies Convening weaved together cutting edge policies, successful programs, innovative ideas, and a network of more than 300 trailblazers working to attract, retain, and empower immigrants.

Hosted by CenterState CEO.

Why Syracuse

“Rust Belt leaders, like CenterState CEO, are spearheading regional immigrant and refugee integration and economic development initiatives . . . This movement is rapidly expanding, and now in our fifth year, we are excited to see how far we have come.”

Steve Tobocman, Director of Global Detroit and Co-chair of WE Global Network Steering Committee

Economic Inclusion

Sustainable growth in the region is happening as Syracuse opens up avenues to economic participation, creating a more welcoming economy for all. Together, the City of Syracuse, CenterState CEO, and other community partners are collaborating on creating impactful programs that advance opportunities for immigrants.

Co-host CenterState CEO is an independent and forward-thinking economic development strategist, business leadership organization and chamber of commerce; dedicated to the success of its members and the prosperity of the region. The CenterState CEO Economic Inclusion team is dedicated to creating thriving communities through increased prosperity for all Central New York residents.

Watch the video below to learn more about Syracuse’s history of welcoming and how it continues to build inclusive communities and economies today.

Program

The 2017 program inspired and motivated. Attendees from the Rust Belt region and beyond worked together to explore how to help communities launch, grow, and expand their immigrant economic development efforts. The agenda featured 15 sessions in business engagement, entrepreneurship, neighborhood development, organizational capacity building, social cohesion and equity, and workforce development.

Explore the sessions

View the Program Book

Speakers

John Dau
President, John Dau Foundation
Ali Noorani
Executive Director, National Immigration Forum

All Speakers

Additional Convening Activities

Welcoming Economies 101

The 2017 Convening offered a special pre-conference session for attendees to learn why economic development leaders, chambers of commerce, and elected officials across the Rust Belt are investing in immigrant economic development models, and what those models look like on the ground.

Ignite Talks

Local, regional and WE Global Network organizations presented for 5-minutes each on an innovation they are working on. The fast-paced sessions gave the audience a snapshot of ideas that they could apply in their own communities. Presenters included: IMPRINT Project, Loretto, New American Women’s Empowerment Group, The Chicago Council on Global Affairs, The Stalwart Fund, Voxy, and Welcome Toledo-Lucas County.

Welcome Reception: My Lucky Tummy

My Lucky Tummy is an pop-up international food court highlighting cuisines prepared by chefs from the foreign-born community living in Syracuse. Founder Adam Sudmann, a graduate of CenterState CEO’s Up Start program as well as the Program Manager of Syracuse’s With Love restaurant incubator, launched My Lucky Tummy in 2014 to celebrate the diversity of and bring attention to the cuisines of Syracuse’s large refugee community.

The Welcome Reception featured cuisines of Burma, Pakistan, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Syria, all crafted by a few of the refugees that call Syracuse home.

Community Tours

Neighborhood tours gave attendees a chance to see how the work being done in Syracuse is manifesting itself across the city.

Stickley Furniture Company Tour
The factory tour traced the company’s founding by the sons of German immigrants in 1900, history, and the role that new Americans and an inclusive workforce has played in their growth and success.
Building Community Amidst Constant Change: The Realities of Northside Micro-Neighborhoods
Syracuse’s Northside, the home to the majority of refugee resettlement in Syracuse, is in a state of constant change as new families from around the world move in to the neighborhood daily. This tour explored how we build community within micro-neighborhoods, and how we maintain stability in a state of constant change.
Food on the Northside: The Language that Needs No Translation
With over 40 different languages spoken on the Northside, sometimes the best way to understand each other is through something universal. This tour piqued our palate by exploring the markets and restaurants that make the neighborhood so vibrant.
Creating safe and inclusive spaces for Faith: The Journey of Converting a Historic Church into a Welcoming Mosque
The North Side Learning Center constantly transcends differences between and among newcomers and native born residents on Syracuse’s Northside. The tour set out to discover the power of relationship, shared experiences, understanding and acceptance.

Convening Photos

Presentations

Click below to view speaker presentations.

Building Partnerships: Strategies for Engaging Economic Development Organizations & Chambers
Betsy Cohen, Executive Director, St. Louis Mosaic Project

Nicole Humphrey, Director of Strategic Partnerships, Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians
Lessons learned from Canada: How to kick-start employer action
Devon Franklin, Project Manager, Hire Immigrants

Innovations in Immigrant Homeownership
Tony Bango, International Village Director, Metro West Community Development

Amanda Pascall, Ownership Center Manager, Home Headquarters
Positive Messaging in Turbulent Times
Susan Downs-Karkos, Director of Strategic Partnerships, Welcoming America

Rachel Peric, Managing Director, Welcoming America

Working Together Across Urban--Rural Divides: How one organization shared their inclusive economic development model
Mihailo Temali, Founder and CEO, Neighborhood Development Center

Jeff Wig, VP for Economic Development, Initiative Foundation
Fostering Immigrant Leadership Development
Shanna Hughey, President, Think Tennessee

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