On Thursday, November 17th, 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 at California State University, San Bernardino in San Bernardino, California, with U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, U.S. Secretary of Energy Deputy Secretary David Turk, senior leaders from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, U.S. Small Business Administration, and the National Science Foundation, and local leaders.
White House Initiative Latino Economic Summit
Thursday, November 17
8:30 a.m. PST Registration Opens
9:30 a.m. PST Program Begins
California State University, San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA
Watch the Summit Opening and Closing Sessions
This summit is the sixth in a series of in-person events across the country designed to highlight the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to advancing equity and economic empowerment and to connect 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 are tied to the success of Latino families and communities. Through the American Rescue Plan, Bi-partisan 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.
This summit provided an opportunity for the local Latino community to better leverage federal partnerships and mobilize the Latino community towards historic federal resources designed to advance equity and help our nation build back better. By coming together across race, place and sectors we can collectively build a brighter future in which all businesses, families, workers and students can thrive – including the more than 60 million Latinos in the U.S.
White House Initiative Latino Economic Summit in San Bernardino Agenda
Following is an overview of the summit agenda, additional speakers and times may be incorporated, so please follow this page as our team will regularly integrate further updates.
8:30 a.m. Registration opens
Pre-Summit Performance by Mariachi Los Coyotes, California State University, San Bernardino
9:30 a.m. Program Begins
Opening Session – Conference Center B
- Melody Gonzales, Executive Director, White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence and Economic Opportunity for Hispanics
- Robert Levi, Tribal Elder in Residence, California State University, San Bernardino
- Dr. Tomás Morales, President, California State University, San Bernardino
- Joe Baca Jr., Supervisor 5th District, San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors
- Damon Alexander, Councilmember 7th Ward, City of San Bernardino
Charla
- Moderator: Melody Gonzales, Executive Director, White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence and Economic Opportunity for Hispanics
- David Turk, Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Energy
- Dr. Rodolfo Torres, Vice Chancellor, University of California, Riverside
Breakout Sessions:
- Housing: Advancing Latino Social Mobility through Housing & Community Development (presented by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) – Conference Center C
- Innovation: Advancing Energy Justice and Tech Innovation in the Latino Community (presented by the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation) – Conference Center D
- Entrepreneurship: Creating Equity for Small Businesses & Local Communities (presented by the U.S. Small Business Administration) – Obershaw, Student Union East
- Community: Advancing Equity through Education and Health Workforce Development (presented by the U.S. Departments of Education; Health and Human Services; and Agriculture) – Conference Center B
Remarks from Pete Aguilar, U.S. Congressman, California 31st Congressional District (virtual)
Investment Playbook Presentation and Panel – Conference Center B
- Bruce Katz, Co-founder and Director, Nowak Metro Finance Lab, Drexel University
- Kimberly Calvin, Councilmember 6th Ward, City of San Bernardino
- Rob Field, City Manager, City of San Bernardino
- Don Howard, President and Chief Executive Officer, The James Irvine Foundation
- Karen Suarez, Director, Uplift San Bernardino
- Micah Weinberg, Chief Executive Officer, California Forward
- Kimberly Collins, Executive Director, Barbara and William Leonard Transportation Center, California State University, San Bernardino
Charla
- Introduction: Diana Rodriguez, Chancellor, San Bernardino Community College District
- Moderator: Domenika Lynch, Executive Director, Aspen Institute Latinos and Society Program
- Miguel Cardona, U.S. Secretary of Education
Closing Remarks:
- Melody Gonzales, Executive Director, White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence and Economic Opportunity for Hispanics