The Community to Community (C2C) Impact Engine at Northeastern University convened many of the Bay Area’s leaders in economic and workforce development last week for a first-of-its-kind conference to share challenges and successes in the work of developing equity. Launched last year by Northeastern faculty in Boston and Oakland, “Community to Community (C2C): Policy Equity for All” project conducts research in partnership with community organizations and governments to address issues such as workforce development, housing, health equity, youth empowerment and community safety.
“This event is an example of what we do,” said C2C co-founder Carrie Maultsby-Lute, who is now serving as head of partnerships for Northeastern in Oakland. “It’s an opportunity to connect leaders through all sectors — private, for profit, nonprofit and foundations. Everyone here wants Oakland to succeed.”
“There are so many ways we can partner for innovation and growth,” Maultsby-Lute said in welcoming attendees. Close to 200 leaders and officials from community-based organizations, foundations, community colleges, private businesses and local government discussed ongoing work toward economic justice in the region and ways that Northeastern can advance those efforts.
“The university has an important role to play in convening multi-sectoral gatherings to advance economic and workforce initiatives in our region,” said Alli Chagi-Starr, C2C Oakland regional director at Northeastern. The day started with a deep dive into restorative economics, a framework used to put reparations, reconciliation and restorative justice at the center of philanthropy.
