The Economic Opportunities Program (EOP) advances strategies, policies, and ideas to help low- and moderate-income people thrive in a changing economy. We recognize that race, gender, and place intersect with and intensify the challenge of economic inequality and we address these dynamics by advancing an inclusive vision of economic justice. For over 25 years, EOP has focused on expanding individuals’ opportunities to connect to quality work, start businesses, and build economic stability that provides the freedom to pursue opportunity. We collaborate with national and local leaders across the United States – nonprofit leaders, policymakers, labor leaders, business leaders, educators, academics, and more – and we actively seek input and ideas from individuals and communities affected by proposed approaches to address economic opportunity challenges. Through our leadership and fellowship programs; applied research and evaluation; data and analysis; and dialogue with diverse stakeholders, we work at both local and national levels to build understanding and galvanize action to address the challenge of economic opportunity in America. EOP encompasses efforts engaging different approaches toward expanding opportunity: the Business Ownership Initiative, Good Companies/Good Jobs, UpSkill America, the Workforce Strategies Initiative. In addition, across these approaches EOP hosts the Economic Opportunity Fellows Network and the Working in America event series. An Advisory Council offers insights, strategic counsel, and guidance in support of our work.
External link for The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program
The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program reposted this
"My definition of patriotism is making sure that everybody is seen." Maryland's Gov. Wes Moore spoke at Aspen Ideas Festival 2024 about his time in the military and in the governor's office, and why conceding nothing is a critical part of his strategy. Watch the full video below.
The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program reposted this
Last week, Brett Simmons and Jonathan Brereton joined our board chair Joyce Klein in Washington, D.C. to celebrate the work of the Initiative for Inclusive Entrepreneurship (IIE) to expand access to capital to underserved small businesses, particularly those owned by entrepreneurs of color. During it's18-month pilot,federal resources from Treasury’s State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) were leveraged to expand access to capital for historically underserved small business owners. In the past year, IIE has deployed over $10 million in funding to support capacity building and create opportunities for more inclusive program design and delivery. To date, IIE has secured over $177M in loans, loan matches, grants, and private capital for underserved small businesses and emerging fund managers. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/grE2ccsY #smallbusiness #SSBCI #IIE #entrepreneurship
We are excited to announce a new opportunity for local communities to deliver Workforce Leadership Academies in partnership with the The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program. This year we plan to add three new Academies to our network of 22 Academies in 17 communities. In addition, we will welcome 3-5 previous partners to participate in facilitator and coaching support as they conduct additional Academies in their regions. And this year, in response to the rising interest in skills-based mobility strategies, we will be integrating new content and resources to support shared learning on how skills-based mobility strategies can contribute to workforce ecosystems. Please join us for an informational webinar on July 9 from 2:00-3:00 ET. During this session, attendees will learn about the Academy experience and further details of the application process, including both the Intent to apply form and the full application. To learn more about the Academies, visit: as.pn/WLA
The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program reposted this
"To ensure LGBTQIA+ people are included in #jobquality advancement work, we need to understand their situation and advocate for appropriate protections for their employment rights." Read my colleagues Bryn Morgan & Mayerly Smith -- important reflections that are not just for #Pride Month.
The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program reposted this
Talk about a long-time coming... I had a very short draft of this started in 2021 just working through these tradeoffs for CDFI small business lenders when presented with a new program. I had spent the previous 1.5 years working with lenders new to loan sales and thought there must be a better way to help people think things through...cut through the noise a bit and get the core tradeoffs front and center. But it's complicated, of course. And it sat on the shelf for several years. Turns out there were only 24 hours in a day. All the new program designs on the table in the last couple years only made the work more urgent though. So I finally found time to put it all together and expand the analysis significantly with a contract through the Initiative for Inclusive Entrepreneurship (IIE) and in collaboration with The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program and Joyce Klein. There were a lot of funders involved in IIE but special thanks to Chase and Mastercard teams for encouraging us (Gwyneth Galbraith, Shaolee Sen, and Sandy Fernandez). There is more to come! https://lnkd.in/gvGPpXq2
We invite you to watch this panel discussion, https://lnkd.in/dKRWWKYx which took place this week at #AspenIdeas festival. It was a compelling conversation about enhancing participation, representation, and decision-making at work and how this could be the key to restoring our faith in #Democracy. Panelists included Natalie Foster - President, Economic Security Project / Fellow, The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program, Roy E. Bahat, Head, Bloomberg Beta, Carolyn Cawley, President, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, along with Deepti Doshi - Co-Director, New_ Public. Moderators were The Aspen Institute's Matt Helmer and Liba Wenig Rubenstein.
We invite you to watch this panel discussion, "Can the Future of Democracy Be Found Through Work?" which took place this week at #AspenIdeas festival. It was a compelling conversation about enhancing participation, representation, and decision-making at work and how this could be the key to restoring our faith in democracy. #EmployeeOwnership #JobQuality #Democracy Panelists included Natalie Foster - President, Economic Security Project / Fellow, The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program, Roy E. Bahat, Head, Bloomberg Beta, Carolyn Cawley, President, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, along with Deepti Doshi - Co-Director, New_ Public. Moderators were The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program's Matt Helmer and Liba Wenig Rubenstein. Can the Future of Democracy Be Found Through Work? | Aspen Ideasaspenideas.org
In an Aspen Partnership for an Inclusive Economy blog, Philip Reeves of Apis & Heritage Capital Partners talks about how hashtag #EmployeeOwnership can fight #RacialInequality and #WealthInequality. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eungTp9F
Good morning #AspenIdeas Festival! Start your day off right with a panel discussion, “Can the Future of Democracy Be Found Through Work?” Panelists will include The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program’s own Liba Wenig Rubenstein - Director, Aspen Business Roundtable on Organized Labor, Matt Helmer - Managing Director, Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program and Natalie Foster - President, Economic Security Project / Fellow, Economic Opportunities Program along with Roy E. Bahat, Head, Bloomberg Beta, Carolyn Cawley, President, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, and Deepti Doshi - Co-Director, New_ Public. The discussion will center around whether the essence of democracy can be revitalized through our workplaces. This will be a compelling discussion on how enhancing participation, representation, and decision-making at work could be the key to restoring our faith in democracy. From hashtag #EmployeeOwnership and #LaborUnions to broader #EconomicRights, we'll delve into innovative frameworks that could redefine and integrate democratic practices in the workplace: https://lnkd.in/dKRWWKYx
If you're attending this year’s #AspenIdeas Festival, be sure to check out tomorrow's panel, “Can the Future of Democracy Be Found Through Work?” This discussion will take place on Tuesday, 6/25 from 8:10–08:55 am MDT in the Koch Building - Booz Allen Hamilton Room. Panelists will include The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program’s own Liba Wenig Rubenstein - Director, Aspen Business Roundtable on Organized Labor, Matt Helmer - Managing Director, Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program and Natalie Foster - President, Economic Security Project / Fellow, Economic Opportunities Program along with Roy E. Bahat, Head, Bloomberg Beta, Carolyn Cawley, President, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, and Deepti Doshi - Co-Director, New_ Public. The discussion will center around whether the essence of democracy can be revitalized through our workplaces. As Americans, we're often expected to be active in our political roles while keeping personal views outside of our professional environments. Yet, as the lines between work and societal engagement blur, new possibilities emerge for fostering democratic values. This will be a compelling discussion on how enhancing participation, representation, and decision-making at work could be the key to restoring our faith in democracy. From #EmployeeOwnership and labor unions to broader #EconomicRights, we'll delve into innovative frameworks that could redefine and integrate democratic practices in the workplace: https://lnkd.in/dKRWWKYx