White House Initiative Latino Economic Summit in Atlanta

White House Initiative Latino Economic Summit in Atlanta

Tuesday, August 23rd 

8:30 a.m. EDT Registration Opens; 9:30 a.m. EDT Program Begins 

Georgia Gwinnett College LVIS Ballroom 

1000 University Center Lane, Lawrenceville, GA 30043 

Media Advisory

Follow and use #WHLatinos; @WhiteHouseHPI

On Tuesday, August 23rd, the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence and Economic Opportunity for Hispanics and the Aspen Institute hosted a White House Initiative Latino Economic Summit in Atlanta, with the participation of the U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Office of Personnel Management, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Small Business Administration, U.S. Department of Agriculture and local leaders.

Federal agency leaders led the community event at Georgia Gwinnett College. This community event was the fifth in a series of in-person events across the country highlighting the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to advancing equity and economic empowerment and connecting local Latino community members directly with federal leaders and resources.

President Joe Biden and Administration leaders know that America’s future prosperity and global leadership is tied to the success of Latino families and communities. Through the American Rescue Plan, Bipartisan Infrastructure law, Inflation Reduction Act, executive orders and administrative actions, the Biden-Harris Administration is making historic investments in the Latino community from federal contracting to workforce development.  


Agenda

Note: All times are in EDT. Agenda is subject to change. Additional speakers have been invited and this page will be updated as they confirm.

8:30 a.m. Registration opens

9:30 a.m. Opening Session – LVIS BC

  • Melody Gonzales, Executive Director, White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence and Economic Opportunity for Hispanics
  • Dr. Jann L. Joseph, President, Georgia Gwinnett College   
  • Richard Blanco, 2012 Presidential Inaugural Poet
  • Domenika Lynch, Executive Director, Aspen Institute Latinos and Society Program
  • Khalilah Harris, Deputy Chief of Staff, U.S. Office of Personnel Management  
  • Carolyn Bourdeaux, U.S. Congresswoman, Georgia 7th Congressional District

10:30 a.m. Breakout Sessions

Advancing the American Dream: SBA Resources for Small Business Owners and Tools for Resiliency (presented by the U.S. Small Business Administration) – Cisco Auditorium

As part of the White House Latino Economic Summit in Atlanta, Georgia, the U.S. Small Business Administration will host a workshop featuring Warren Miller, Senior Advisor for SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance and Terri Denison, Georgia District Director of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). This discussion will focus on SBA initiatives and resources that support existing Latino small businesses and aspiring Hispanic entrepreneurs as they pivot and grow in a post-COVID world, a priority of the Biden-Harris Administration and SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman. Additionally, the breakout session will highlight SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance and tools for disaster resiliency. SBA officials will highlight various SBA programs and priorities geared toward increasing equity and lowering barriers to opportunity so that all Hispanics can access the American dream of Entrepreneurship.

  • Federal Presenters:
    • Warren Miller, Senior Advisor, Office of Disaster Assistance, U.S. Small Business Administration
    • Terri Denison, Georgia District Director, U.S. Small Business Administration

Advancing Opportunity through Education & Health Equity (presented by the U.S. Departments of Education & Health and Human Services) – Heritage Room

Hosted by the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Hispanics and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), this session will offer participants an overview of education and health equity efforts led by the Biden-Harris Administration, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona and HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. Federal staff from Washington, D.C. and the Atlanta region will share key updates on initiatives in their departments for the Latino community to know about and share. Join the agencies for an interactive conversation and to strategize around ways in which we can collectively collaborate to advance education and health priorities in Atlanta’s Latino community.

  • Federal Presenters:
    • Antrell Tyson, Regional Director, Region IV, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
    • Melody Gonzales, Executive Director, White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence and Economic Opportunity for Hispanics

Partnering for Prosperity in Rural Communities (presented by the U.S. Department of Agriculture) – LVIS AD

USDA Rural Development (RD) is the lead Federal Agency helping rural communities grow and prosper. This session will offer participants an overview of the loans, grants and technical assistance offered to support rural small business development and growth and rural housing. We will also discuss USDA RD’s efforts to eradicate poverty and promote equity for all Georgians. Join us in learning more about what is offered by USDA Rural Development and discussing the needs of Latinos in rural communities across Georgia.

  • Federal Presenters:
    • Liz Archuleta, Director, Office of External and Intergovernmental Affairs, U.S. Department of Agriculture
    • Karen Davis, Director, Business and Cooperatives, Rural Development, Georgia State Office, U.S Department of Agriculture
    • Reginald D. Marable, Director, Single Family Housing, Rural Development, Georgia State Office, U.S Department of Agriculture

11:35 a.m. Advancing Economic Opportunity & Latino Social Mobility Across Sectors – LVIS BC

  • Ciara Coleman, Manager, Equity and Economic Opportunity Initiative, Rockefeller Foundation  (virtual remarks)
  • Larry Johnson, Dekalb County Commissioner, District 3 and President, National Association of Counties
  • Pedro “Pete” Marin, Georgia State Representative, District 96
  • Nuria Fernandez, Federal Transportation Administration Administrator, U.S. Department of Transportation (virtual remarks)
  • Liz Archuleta, Director, Office of External and Intergovernmental Affairs, U.S. Department of Agriculture
  • Verónica Maldonado-Torres, Georgia Hispanic Chamber President & CEO 
  • Santiago Marquez, CEO, Latin American Association
  • Richard Blanco, 2012 Presidential Inaugural Poet
  • Warren Miller, Senior Advisor, Office of Disaster Assistance, U.S. Small Business Administration

12:30 p.m. Closing Remarks


COVID Protocols:

The wearing of a face covering while in attendance is welcomed.

This summit requests that attendees volunteer to share their COVID-19 vaccination status. For those that choose not to share that information, the Aspen Institute will provide oversight of COVID-19 rapid tests and show a negative result to enter. Attendees may also arrive to the event early to take a COVID-19 test prior to the event. Those showing a positive test or unwillingness to comply with our health and safety protocols will be provided instructions on how to virtually access the event. Please contact us in advance if you require a reasonable accommodation related to these requirements.

To expedite your entry into the event, we also ask that you:

• Bring your vaccination card and government issued photo ID to show upon arrival. A photo of your vaccination card that matches your ID is acceptable.
• If you don’t wish/or don’t have proof of your vaccination, a rapid COVID-19 test site will be available on-site, at no additional charge.


Previous White House Initiative Latino Economic Summits:

Read the press release announcing the launch of the White House Initiative Latino Economic Summits

March 22, 2022 – White House Initiative Latino Economic Summit in San Antonio – The University of Texas at San Antonio

March 26, 2022 – White House Initiative Latino Economic Summit in Denver – Community College of Denver

June 23, 2022 – White House Initiative Latino Economic Summit in Chicago – Malcolm X College

July 22, 2022 – White House Initiative Latino Economic Summit in El Paso – The University of Texas at El Paso