Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia’s Post

Did you know? In 2022, Southeast Ohio’s nonprofit arts and culture industry generated $24,677,808 in economic activity and supported 452 jobs, according to the newly released Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6), an economic and social impact study conducted by Americans for the Arts and Buckeye Hills Regional Council, with support from the Ohio Arts Council Ohio Arts Council and U.S. Economic Development Administration. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/gMFi5Dce

Throughout South Carolina, we’ve been building upon a track record of economic development success for several decades. While that momentum has continued to push us onward and upward, the South Carolina Department of Commerce recognizes that no one — no company, nor industry — is immune from the technological advancements happening throughout all business sectors.     With a nod to our heritage, an eye toward the future and a spirit of embracing innovation, S.C. Commerce today unveiled our new agency brand and tagline, Launch to Legacy. Ultimately, we want businesses to know that Launch to Legacy reinforces the fact that you can start, thrive, expand and build a legacy right here — and S.C. Commerce will be there to support you, every step of the way.    The rebranding process has taken over a year and involved many of our key partners and stakeholders to ensure representation across as many industry verticals as possible. It’s been a thoughtful and deliberate process, uncovering and focusing on some of South Carolina’s greatest attributes. We’re proud of the result, and we’re excited for what the future of economic development holds throughout our state!    Learn more about #LaunchToLegacy, including what it means according to a few South Carolina CEOs, in their own words: https://lnkd.in/ebmuS-vJ 

I was privileged as a board member of Collaborative Healing Initiative Within Communities to attend a press conference yesterday at which our CEO Sade Cooper, along with State Representative Jennifer Bacon (she, her) and State Senator James Coleman and other leaders formally announced introducing legislation which would empower a detailed racial justice (or injustices as the case may be) study in the State of Colorado. This initiative, titled Justice for Black Coloradans, is an historic step forward in identifying, documenting and understanding the specific policies and actions over the past 150 years Colorado has been a state that have contributed to the enormous disparities in education, income, wealth, and other economic opportunities between black Coloradans and so many of their fellow citizens. This vanguard study, to be led by History Colorado and funded by private sector donations, can lay the groundwork for smart, compassionate and consensus-driven policies to ameliorate the obvious legacy of historical (and on-going) injustices and ensuring a future of equal justice for all of us. As one of the speakers yesterday aptly remarked, this isn’t about critical race theory but about critical race history. What is proposed is just a study, but is nonetheless a monumental step forward in a rational path to justice and reconciliation. If you are interested you can learn more about it at https://lnkd.in/gXqEqpvp.

Great to be back again serving as emcee at the 17th Annual Hearts of Texas Luncheon, honoring Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Randy Bowman, Community Partners of Dallas and the Lewisville ISD. Volunteerism transforms lives! Thanks to Volunteer Now CEO, Rachel Currie Triska, for inspiring her incredible team. Americans gave 4.1 billion hours of service to humanity as volunteers last year. There's nothing more impactful than making a difference in the lives of those who need it most. As I share in my keynote address: "Live your life as a go-getter, yet, forever share your life as a go-giver."

"The grandparent advantage — the gift grandparents AND grandfriends give the next generation — provides younger generations not just knowledge but purpose, peace, hope, and roots." Check out our latest blog post written by Generations United Executive Director Donna Butts, which is titled "Celebrating Grandparents Day 2023 & The Grandparent Advantage" https://lnkd.in/e67ssd-5

It's here! The digital version of our 25th anniversary impact report!

From coast to coast—and in Santa Clara County—America’s nonprofit arts and culture organizations are providing inspiration and joy to residents, beautifying public spaces, and strengthening community pride and identity. Arts and culture organizations are also businesses. They employ people locally, purchase goods and services from nearby businesses, and produce the authentic cultural experiences that are magnets for visitors, tourists, and new residents. Arts and Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6) provides compelling evidence that the nonprofit arts and culture sector is a significant industry in Santa Clara County—one that generated $384.5 million in total economic activity during 2022. This study sends a strong signal that, even in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting recession, the nonprofit arts and culture is a formidable industry. AEP6 demonstrates that when we support the arts, we are investing in Santa Clara County’s economic and community well-being. Read more: https://bit.ly/3MuyMzL.

Happy President's Day! 🇺🇸 Today, let's take a moment to honor and celebrate the impactful legacies of three Presidents connected to Texas: Dwight D. Eisenhower, Lyndon B. Johnson, and George W. Bush. 1. Dwight D. Eisenhower: As the 34th President of the United States, Eisenhower's leadership left a profound mark on Texas and the nation. His administration prioritized infrastructure development, which greatly benefited Texas with the creation of the interstate highway system. This initiative not only enhanced transportation within the state but also facilitated economic growth and improved connectivity across regions. 2. Lyndon B. Johnson: His "Great Society" programs aimed to combat poverty and racial injustice, leading to significant social reforms such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Johnson's legacy in Texas is particularly notable for his contributions to education, healthcare, and civil rights, which continue to shape the state's landscape today. 3. George W. Bush: As the 43rd President of the United States and a former Governor of Texas, Bush's tenure had a profound influence on his home state. His policies on education reform, tax cuts, and healthcare initiatives directly impacted Texans' lives. Moreover, his leadership during challenging times, including the response to the 9/11 attacks, showcased resilience and determination, reflecting the spirit of the Lone Star State. On this President's Day, let's remember and appreciate the contributions of these remarkable leaders to Texas and the nation as a whole. Their legacies continue to inspire and shape our future. #PresidentsDay #TexasLeadership #Legacy 🌟

Generating $1.3 billion and supporting 19,834 jobs in 2022, nonprofit arts and culture organizations are an economic engine for Georgia. Learn more about this sector in a first-of-its-kind, state-level study by Americans for the Arts: https://lnkd.in/eqmTjKn3 

Happy Independence Day, Oklahoma! The inherent virtues and positive aspects of our state, and of America, hold the solution to the nation's problems. Baked into our system intentionally is the requirement for improvement and renewal by harnessing the country's existing strengths, creativity, and values. In these times of uncertainty and challenge, it's easy to feel disheartened and overwhelmed by the issues we face as a country. But remember this: the very essence of America, our resilience, our diversity, our ingenuity, and our spirit of community, contains the solutions to our problems. Each of us holds a piece of the answer. Whether it's through acts of kindness, civic engagement, or standing up for what is right, our collective efforts can and will drive the change we need. We must believe in the power of unity and the strength that lies within our communities. Let's come together, not as divided factions, but as united citizens committed to a common goal: a better, stronger, and more just America. The path forward lies in conversations with those who hold different views, in volunteering in your communities, in voting, and in holding our leaders accountable. No one is above the law—but we shape the law together. We have to be proximate with each other to see that we have much more in common than we have differences. Our differences feel big, cavernous even—and they shouldn’t be dismissed. But we can’t begin to learn from each other and foster the collective love for each other necessary unless we take the first step to be together. Be present. Assess. And then bloom. Together, we can shape a future where the promise of America is fulfilled for everyone. The promise of America was always aspirational—and even in the times we nostalgically recall as defining patriotic moments like landing on the moon, winning the battle at Gettysburg, even in those moments America was imperfect. She had big raging battles stewing below the surface. Extreme inequalities and unfairness pervaded even our brightest days. But we accomplished the impossible—together. In fact, it’s often in America’s darkest days that we recognize the dream of democracy is still possible, and in fact, necessary. Even when the lure of totalitarianism—its order, its control, its predictability—seems interesting or piques our curiosity, we know deep down that messy, frenetic democracy is the best form of government we’ve got. It’s true because it’s built to change and grow with us. It’s built to include us. It’s built to learn from itself. Thats the greatness and the genius of the promise of America. Let us rise to the occasion, inspired by the belief that our nation can and will be healed by the very best of what it represents. The road ahead may be tough, but united in our purpose and driven by our shared values, we can build a brighter future for all. In solidarity and in freedom, Colleen McCarty Executive Director Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Law and Justice