Jennifer Sereno: Joint summit set to advance economic development, strengthen leadership and diversity

This is an excerpt from a column posted at BizOpinion.

Can the Madison region become a national model for transforming racial disparities into economic opportunities?

Yes — if the Madison Region Economic Partnership and Urban League of Greater Madison have anything to do with it. In a groundbreaking step forward for the region, the two organizations will hold a joint summit focused on economic development, diversity and leadership.

The event, set for May 9, combines MadREP’s annual state of the region summit with the Urban League’s workplace diversity and leadership event to reach more employers and leverage collective efforts in the region. Attendance at the event, called Advancing Talent, Opportunity and Prosperity: The Madison Region’s Economic Development, Diversity and Leadership Summit, is expected at 500, ranging from CEOs and entrepreneurs to educators and diverse community leaders.

“Economic, workforce and community development are inherently intertwined,” says Paul Jadin, president of MadREP. “With this partnership, we are committed to bringing together a diversity of voices to address the region’s challenges, celebrate our progress and leverage the opportunities that will ensure our economy’s continued growth.”

Read the full column for more