New York Fed to Co-Host Hybrid Event on Investing in Employment Social Enterprise to Expand Job Opportunities for Those Facing Hurdles to Employment

On Thursday, April 7, 2022, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, in partnership with the venture philanthropy REDF, will host a hybrid event, "Expanding Opportunity: Investing in Employment Social Enterprise."

The event will bring together CEOs, bankers, investors, and social enterprise leaders to examine the significant economic benefits of expanding job and career opportunities for people who often encounter hurdles to employment. People encountering such hurdles include those who have experienced incarceration, homelessness, foster care, and other challenges.

The event will begin, for in-person attendees, with the screening of the award-winning documentary, "The Road Up," which follows four participants in a Chicago job-training program. Remote attendees will receive a link in advance to view the 93-minute film electronically. The screening will be followed by a discussion with the film's creators.

A panel discussion will follow. Featured speakers include:

• Maria Kim, President and CEO, REDF
• Amy Chasan, Founder and Owner, Sweet Generation
• Dan Rhoton, Executive Director, Hopeworks
• Donnel Baird, CEO and Founder, BlocPower
• Alberto Garofalo, President, Bank of America New Jersey
• Chet Hewitt, President and CEO, Sierra Health Foundation
• Mike Lohr, Vice President, Urban Investment Group at Goldman Sachs

Panelists will discuss how capital has fueled the growth of New York-area employment social enterprises, which are organizations that employ people who have historically been shut out of the workforce, while also producing goods and services that positively impact their communities.

This event is presented by the New York Fed's Community Development team, which has three areas of focus: health, household financial well-being, and climate risk.

This event is on the record and will be available via livestream. For media inquiries, please contact Ellen Simon at the New York Fed: [email protected].