2018 Annual Meeting & Convening: Inclusive Growth and Opportunity

On April 19, 2018, The Foundation hosted Amy Liu of Brookings to explore why building an inclusive economy matters for Greater New Haven's future.

April 23, 2018
(at podium) Amy Liu, Vice President of Brookings and Director of its Metropolitan Policy Program, is a national expert on cities and metropolitan areas adept at translating research and insights into action on the ground. Lui spoke at The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven's 2018 Annual Meeting on what leaders can do to advance inclusive economic growth in our region.

Our Annual Meeting and Convening: "Inclusive Growth and Opportunity: Defining Our Path Forward," was the best-attended annual meeting in our 90-year history.

More than 400 community members turned out to hear Amy Liu of Brookings Institution speak with urgency about Greater New Haven's need for a growing economy that produces lasting gains for those who have been left behind.

"To build a strong community, we need to create more opportunity."
– Will Ginsberg, President & CEO, The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven

What We Heard

  • Greater New Haven has positive economic signs, most notable being a rising number of jobs in young firms.
  • The economy must be more inclusive. Despite a recent increase in jobs, economic disparities have widened. Wages for African Americans have declined and jobs have migrated further away from neighborhoods with concentrated poverty.
  • Rapid changes in technology and demographic trends threaten to make inequality worse if nothing is done.
  • Mega deals attracting out-of-state corporations are not the answer. Startups and local business expansions create the largest share of jobs and hold the most promise for growth.
  • Inclusiveness is good for business as broad prosperity feeds more economic growth.

"Inclusive growth is not a program. It requires a cultural shift in our mindset. It is not just a moral imperative. It is an economic necessity." – Amy Liu

Download Amy Liu's presentation: Inclusive Economies in a Disruptive Age: How local leaders can advance growth, prosperity, and inclusion.

What We Are Doing

The Foundation is calling on Greater New Haven leaders to create an agenda for inclusive economic growth that not only benefits firms and professionals, but also reaches deep into neighborhoods that have struggled for decades.

Learn more about what The Foundation is doing.

More Resources