Many Voices. One Vision.
September 15 - HR & Organizational Policies
Welcome & Introduced by:
Joshua Gunn – President & CEO, Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce
Moderated by:
Brian Ray – Regional President at PNC Bank
Panelists:
Laraine Bryson – President at Tri-County Urban League
Tom Alexander – Co-Founder & CEO at Holistic & Consultant at Distillery Labs
Eric Sutter – Senior Vice President of HR at EP!C
August 6 - Criminal Justice Reform
Welcome & Introduced by:
Joshua Gunn – President & CEO, Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce
Moderated by:
Brent Baker – Director of Workforce Solutions, GPEDC
Panelists:
Chris McCall – Family & Criminal Defense Attorney
Johanes Maliza – Central District Assistant Federal Public Defender
Nia Mcfarland-Drye -Mitigation Specialist for Central District Federal Public Defender Office/NAACP
Carl Holloway – Executive Director of MAY-I Outreach
JUNE 23 Panel Discussion
Panelists:
Mariah Cooley – Young Revolution
Sheriff Brian Asbell – Peoria County
Dr. Rita Ali – ICC, Peoria City Council
Moderated by Andre Allen – Higher Education Administration
On June 23, our panelists and community gathered virtually for mindful conversations around how we can use our individual power and privilege to make the changes our region needs to correct historic racial, economic, and social inequities. Watch the recording of this discussion to the right.
CONNECT:
Workforce Development
Regional Workforce Development Alliance
- WORKING GOAL: Create the regional workforce required to stabilize and grow our economy by systemically connecting employers, educators, community based organizations with high school graduates, the under-credentialed and multiple barriered adults to ensure 60% of our population has the required credentials to obtain gainful employment.This committee is taking a stakeholder approach and is made up of three subcommittees:
- Emerging Workforce: Support regional K – 12 schools in implementation of multiple college and career readiness strategies with an intentional focus on connecting local employers into pathways, promoting financial literacy, and the award of valuable industry credentials. Co-chairs: Brent Baker bbaker@greaterpeoriaedc.org , Beth Crider bcrider@peoriaroe.org.
- Upskilling Committee – Targets underemployed and under credentialed adults with work experience to obtain credentials that address workforce gaps in full-time jobs offering at least 30% above a living wage. Co-chairs: Jamel Wright jwright@eureka.edu, Don Shafer donald.shafer@pnc.com
- Multiple Barriers – The employer driven project will address the holistic need of individuals with multiple barriers for their entry to high quality educational pathways leading to family sustaining careers. Co-chairs: Laraine Bryson lebryson@tcpul.com, Dr. Rita Ali Rali@icc.edu
Each of these committees are meeting regularly and have established strategies and goals.
Please contact co-chairs to get involved.
Illinois Migrant Council
- IMC provides a wide range of employment and training services for Illinois’ farmworkers through the National Farmworker Jobs Program (NFJP). Learn more at www.illinoismigrant.org or email Mary Phelan at mphelan@illinoismigrant.org.
Diversity & Inclusion
Minority Business Development Center
- The Minority Business Development Center offers a wide range of business education assistance and workforce development. Learn more.
Greater Peoria Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- More info coming soon! Visit the Hispanic Chamber’s Facebook page for updates.
Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Peoria Innovation Hub Working Groups
- The Peoria Innovation Hub needs a collaborative community effort to help shape its future. Join a working group to stay in the loop and help shape the space’s future. Connect atwww.peoriahub.com/workinggroups.
1 Million Cups Peoria
- A monthly event (every 1st Wednesday at the Nest Coworking) that brings together entrepreneurs and the Greater Peoria community over coffee and conversation. Learn more at www.1millioncups.com/pia.
Startup Greater Peoria Facebook
- The Startup Greater Peoria Facebook events page serves as an aggregator and connection point for innovators and entrepreneurs throughout the region. Connect at www.facebook.com/pg/StartupGreaterPeoria/events.
Start Here Greater Peoria
- This is a catch-all group if you’re new in town and looking to connect with a diverse group of people across industries in the Greater Peoria region. Connect at www.meetup.com/starthere.
Quality of Life & Place
More coming soon!
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