JSMF President and CEO Jason Q. Purnell and Emerging Wisdom's Rebeccah Bennett discuss how St. Louis can harness the cooperation the region has demonstrated during crises to tackle economic challenges that see less publicity but still demand urgent attention.
Bennett serves as a facilitator for the Inclusive Prosperity Partnership, where this kind of collaborative muscle is being developed among people from a variety of backgrounds and walks of life.

The conversation explores the connection between cooperation and relationships, emphasizing the idea that we are all connected. It delves into the significance of cooperation in reinforcing relationships and highlights the importance of relationships in driving human behavior.

Takeaways

• Cooperation reinforces relationships
• We are all connected
• How St. Louis can maintain the level of collaboration and shared responsibility after a crisis when the cameras leave and headlines fade.

The conversation explores the transformation of economic mobility outcomes in Charlotte and the lessons that St. Louis can learn from this region's success. It delves into the wake-up call that Charlotte received, the formation of the task force, the establishment of Leading on Opportunity, and the challenges and strategies for community engagement and leadership representation. The conversation explores the evolution of economic mobility in Charlotte, emphasizing the city's growth, collaborative efforts, and long-term commitment to progress. It also delves into the development and use of the Opportunity Compass as a tool for accountability and civic imagination. The discussion highlights the importance of effective data utilization and communication in driving positive change.

Takeaways

• Economic mobility transformation in Charlotte
• Community engagement and leadership representation
• Economic mobility requires a long-term commitment and collaborative effort
• The use of data as a tool for accountability and civic imagination is crucial
  
  

In this conversation, Jason Purnell and Manuel Pastor discuss the critical relationship between equity and economic growth, emphasizing that regions with equitable opportunities tend to experience sustainable job growth. They explore the detrimental effects of inequality on economic development, including underinvestment in education and social conflict. Pastor introduces a framework of 'data, deliberation, and destiny' to address inequality, highlighting the importance of civic engagement and community collaboration. The discussion also focuses on the specific challenges and opportunities in St. Louis, advocating for a more inclusive growth strategy that benefits all community members.
https://www.jsmf.org/

Takeaways

• Regions that are more equitable generate more sustainable job growth.
• Inequality leads to social tensions and underinvestment in future workers.
• Building a diverse and dynamic community is essential for growth.
• Data creates a shared understanding of community challenges.
• Deliberation fosters a sense of shared destiny among community members.
• Persistent trust-building is crucial in addressing community skepticism.
• Economic growth should focus on meaningful work and participation.
• Civic infrastructure is vital for inclusive development.
• Future projections can guide investment in emerging industries.
• Collaboration across sectors is key to addressing inequality.
  
  Chapters

  00:00 Introduction and Context of Research

  00:28 Key Findings on Equity and Economic Growth

  06:10 The Detriments of Inequality on Growth

  14:30 Data, Deliberation, and Destiny: A Framework for Action

  21:59 Building Civic Infrastructure for Equity

  25:26 Civic Infrastructure

  28:48 Insights on St. Louis: Opportunities and Challenges