National Coalition of Promise Zones, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Liaisons, hosted the first annual National Coalition of Promise Zones 2020 Federal Convening, a virtual series of 16 presentations from federal agencies, change agents, and community leaders across the United States sharing resources and best practices on place-based community development. Specifically, many presentations discussed COVID-19 resiliency and recovery.
You can also view the video playlist on Youtube or Facebook.
What is National Coalition of Promise Zones?
National Coalition of Promise Zones (NCPZ) is a volunteer group comprised of 22 urban, rural, and tribal Promise Zones from across the country who are focused on Place-Based Collective Community Development. Learn more about NCPZ and their collective work.
NCPZ 2020 Federal Convening
The virtual event was held from August 20th to September 3rd, 2020 with HUD Community Liaisons moderating the presentation sessions to provide a transition between presenter panelists and facilitate Q&A opportunities between the attendees and presenters. A total of 1,396 people attended representing businesses, school districts, Promise Zone leaders of community-based organizations, colleges/universities, elected officials, and other leaders. An average of over 87 attendees joined each presentation, learning about federal and non-federal programs and efforts that have positively impacted low-to-moderate income (LMI) communities in housing, health, education, job creation, economic development, sustainably built communities, and more.
Each presentation’s goal was to educate and empower Promise Zone leaders and partners on available resources and their use for impacting communities. Many presentations specifically focused on COVID-19 pandemic resiliency and recovery, as well as how to utilize Opportunity Zones . All sessions have been recorded to provide ongoing opportunities for individuals, organizations, and communities to benefit from the information shared among presenters and attendees. Promise Zones support efforts to identify and pursue federal and non-federal funding opportunities that may change outcomes in LMI communities. Anyone interested in learning more can contact any of the respective Promise Zones by visiting the NCPZ website.
Below is an outline of the presentations conducting from the National Coalition of Promise Zones 2020 Federal Convening.
Transportation and Mobility Support Access to Opportunities
Presenters: Susan Weber (Federal Transit Administration, Region V), Judy Shanley (National Center for Mobility Management), Matt Schriefer (Transportation Planner, Evansville Metropolitan Planning Organization)
Moderator: Jake Akervik, North Minneapolis Promise Zone Community Liaison (HUD)
Overview of the EnVision Centers Demonstration
Presenters: Jill Yu, Rommel Calderwood (both from HUD)
Moderator: Marc Boucher, North Hartford Promise Zone Community Liaison (HUD)
Opportunity Zones. Strategies for Community Leaders
Presenters: Prof. Bo Beaulieu (PhD, Purdue University Center for Regional Development), Dennis Foldenauer (U.S. Economic Development Administration)
Moderator: Grant McFann, Indianapolis Promise Zone Community Liaison (HUD)
Presenters: Bernice A. N. Corley, Indiana Public Defender Council
Moderator: Andrea Ekiyor, Evansville Promise Zone Community Liaison (HUD)
Presenters: Nathan Jochum (SCORE Evansville), Morgan Allen (Indiana Small Business Development Center), Lindsay Maliqi (U.S. Small Business Administration), Jim Haddan (Indiana Procurement Technical Assistance Center)
Moderator: Collin Evenson, San Diego Promise Zone Community Liaison (HUD)
Role of Arts and Culture in Strengthening Communities (National Endowment for the Arts)
Presenters: Jen Hughes (National Endowment for the Arts), Nick Chretien (Economic Action Group)
Moderator: Johnnie Lattimore, Atlanta Promise Zone Community Liaison (HUD)
COVID19 Resources: EPA’s Brownfields and Land Revitalization Program
Presenters: Aimee Storm (Environmental Protection Agency)
Moderator: Michael Huff, Sacramento Promise Zone Community Liaison (HUD)
Food, Health, and Economic Development: Models & USDA Programs (U.S. Department of Agriculture)
Presenters: Alan Shannon (USDA Food & Nutrition Service Midwest Region)
Moderator: Andrea Ekiyor, Evansville Promise Zone Community Liaison (HUD)
Quality of Life Planning: A Path to Resilient and Vibrant Neighborhoods
Presenters: Aaron Laramore (LISC Sustainable Communities Initiative Indianapolis), Alicia Baker (Aunt Bertha), Maury Plambeck (Indianapolis Neighborhood Resource Center)
Moderator: Grant McFann (Indianapolis Community Liaison – HUD), Leah Berti (U.S. HUD- Office of Field Policy and Management, Management Analyst)
COVID-19 and Promise Zones: Meeting the Needs of Impacted Communities
Presenters: Faith Weekly and Neelu Panth (Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis)
Moderator: Jake Akervik, North Minneapolis Promise Zone Community Liaison (HUD)
Presenters: Spike Keil (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation), Julius Austin (Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency/Sacramento Promise Zone), Pedar Bruce (Umpqua Bank)
Moderator: Michael Huff, Sacramento Promise Zone Community Liaison (HUD)
Presenters:Erica Fleischer (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Administration for Children & Families, Region 5)
Moderator: Lisa Nowinski, Philadelphia Promise Zone (HUD)
AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (Corporation for National and Community Service)
Presenters: Amanda Cochran and Katie Keane (AmeriCorps NCCC Pacific Region)
Moderator: Angela Huang, South Los Angeles (SLATE-Z) Community Liaison (HUD)
EDA’s Federal Partnership Network
Presenters: Milton Cochran and Nancy Gilbert (U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration)
Moderator: Johnnie Lattimore, Atlanta Promise Zone Community Liaison (HUD)
Community Revitalization Programs: Promise Neighborhoods and Full Service Community Schools
Presenters: Elson Nash and James Guitard (U.S. Department of Education)
Moderator: Michael Huff, Sacramento Promise Zone Community Liaison (HUD)
U.S. Attorney’s Office Re-Entry and Prevention (U.S. Department of Justice)
Presenters: McGregor W. Scott and Jennifer White (U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California)
Moderator: Michael Huff, Sacramento Promise Zone Community Liaison (HUD)