Big business and nonprofits are partnering for this policy and advocacy roundtable

As Wilmington goes through its latest revitalization process, resident advocates in the city — which is nearly 60% Black and 11% Latino — have been taking an active role in helping to shape policy.

Where, in the past, revitalization efforts often ignored neighborhoods in favor of catering to suburban non-residents who work downtown, organizations such as Christina Cultural Arts Center, the Latin American Community Center, and the Delaware Center for Homeless Veterans are pushing for inclusiveness in economic development policy.

A cohort of business and nonprofit leaders have organized the ONE Wilmington Policy and Advocacy Roundtable, to be held Tuesday, Sept. 24, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at Christina Cultural Arts Center on Market Street.

“We believe that for too long, Wilmington has been divided by race and income,” says the event’s Splash page. “As the revitalization of the city gets underway, we have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to end this history of division and become ONE Wilmington, a city with a vibrant downtown where every neighborhood is a good place to grow up, with access to an excellent education, great parks, and quality housing, that is home to people of all backgrounds and income levels.”

The cohort consists of:

• Delaware Center for Homeless Veterans
• Kingswood Community Center
• DCRAC
• Wilmington Urban League
• Prosperity Now
• JPMorgan Chase
• Christina Cultural Arts Center
• True Access Capital
• The Latin American Community Center

Community stakeholders are invited to attend the roundtable to learn how to effectively advocate for equitable economic development policies, engage with policymakers, learn about current campaigns you can join and best practices to ensure your voice is heard.

To sign up to attend the event, click here.