R2021-201 Resolution Authorizing the Execution of an Agreement for the Workforce Development Systems Assessment, Strategy and Implementation Project

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• Authentic engagement for inclusive dialogue around issues to ensure community voice, identify qualitative needs, identify assets and opportunities and provide created training processes to support problem solv'ing and preservation of relationships • Focus on projects that address economically under-valued communities, areas of blight,serve marginalized populations and communities for sustainable development projects • Strategy development and engagement-Engaging organizations lead by community residents to utilize their wisdom,voice and lived experience to best drive community agendas, including: building engagement framework, highlights and benefits of intentional community engagement,strategies for success engagement and cultivating meaningful relationships and trust building bridges for better collaboration Community and Economic Development Technical Assistance Examples: JPMC, Common Future, Next Street-Project Lead for the study of the small business landscape in the St. Louis region. Partnering with local stakeholders to conduct an assessment of the state of play for small businesses with an emphasis on understanding the makeup,needs and challenges of businesses owned by women and people of color,as well as to understand the landscape of the business support and capital providers. St. Louis Promise Zone-With more than 100 partners committed to complex collaboration have been providing services to residents within the 60 square mile boundary,the region continues to prioritize the Promise Zone geography through increased programming,targeted outreach,and alignment of activities for the areas of concentrated poverty,crime and unemployment.The ultimate goal of the Promise Zone is to have intentional prioritization of communities that have been forgotten;and tap into additional federal resources for direct service delivery to put families on the path of economic mobility. National Funders Group-Building strategic partnerships through cultivation of strong relationships with local community,philanthropic leaders and funders;staying abreast of political landscape,marketing trends and current events;and increasing capacity,technical assistance and learning interest for local organizations driving just and equitable development. Equitably Redeveloping Your Community-developed a six part series to provide an opportunity for members of the community and business owners to have an opportunity to become educated on the process of community development in their neighborhood. Trenton Ellis Biography Trenton Ellis serves as a program management consultant for Innovative Design Edge, LLC with a focus on diversity,equity and inclusion.He has conducted research on projects related to equitable community engagement and equitable economic development. Mr.Ellis has multiyear research experience related to topics such as barriers to property retention in the St.Louis region,strategies to promote increased parental and community engagement of formerly incarcerated parents,equitable economic development practices in the St. Louis region,and effective community engagement practices and strategies for nonprofit and governmental agencies.Through his research,he has worked with agencies such as Morgan Giaves Consultants and SoulFisher Ministries to create community engagement strategies and recommendations for their constituents. He is a former practicum student with the St. Louis Promise Zone where he researched and developed policy recommendations related to equitable economic development for the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership. Mr. Ellis received a Domestic Social and Economic Development MSW degree from the George Warren Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis where he currently serves as a Graduate Fellow with the College Prep Program providing academic and social enrichment to students in the St.Louis area 15