Clark Atlanta University will host the nation's first summit focused on the combined issues of Economic inclusion and Economic Competitiveness on April 22-23. (Inclusive Competitiveness: empowering underrepresented populations to compete in the innovation economy) The top priorities of the nation in every presidential election are the economy and jobs. This election is no exception. But summit asks the question, who will create the jobs of tomorrow? The answer is surprising. Minority entrepreneurs (i.e. women, black and Hispanic Americans) represent the fastest rate of entrepreneurial growth in America. These prospective job creators remain disconnected from valuable resources they need to scale up their efforts and produce successful businesses that grow jobs. This summit introduces solutions to this economic problem. For more information and to register: www.cau.edu/inclusion

1. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Donna L. Brock
404-880-8337
DBrock@cau.edu
Clark Atlanta University to Host Nation’s First
Economic Inclusion and Competitiveness Summit
Competitiveness Key Component to Empowering Underrepresented Innovators
ATLANTA (April 7, 2016) -Clark Atlanta University (CAU) President Ronald
A. Johnson April 22-23 will convene local, regional and national leaders at the
nation’s first Economic Inclusion and Competitiveness Summit April 22-23 in the
Thomas W. Cole Jr. Center for Research in Science and Technology on the
University’s campus, 223 James P. Brawley Drive. Registration for the event is free
and open to the public:
“This Summit is a first step on the path toward developing a national vision
and strategy of inclusive competitiveness that will empower the next generation of
job creators,” Johnson said. In addition to illuminating key efforts across the
United States, the Summit will also provide critical insight and information on
three necessary elements in creating and sustaining the climate for inclusive
competitiveness: entrepreneurial education, scalable minority ventures and
impact investing.
U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Jay
Williams, administrator of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA)
will deliver the Summit’s opening address Friday, April 22. Prior to Williams’
keynote, Johnathan Holifield, author of “The Future Economy and Inclusive
Competitiveness” and Co-founder of ScaleUp Partners LLC, will share his
expertise on developing inclusive economic ecosystems, including a presentation
on the growing national movement of inclusive competitiveness. Retired NASA
Director Julian Earls, Ph.D., will introduce the afternoon Town Hall on Economic
Inclusion and Competitiveness featuring a showcase of successful entrepreneurs
and innovators from 1:15-2:45 p.m.
“Although not a new issue, this particular conversation is overdue,”
Johnson said. “Discussions of economic inclusion and empowering
underrepresented populations in today’s economy have traditionally centered
upon workforce development while overlooking the extraordinary inherent value,
unparalleled momentum and segmented growth of entrepreneurship among
African Americans and other peoples of color.
On April 23, CAU students, alongside students from other Atlanta
University Center institutions and area high schools, will participate in a hack-a-
thon addressing issues of economic competitiveness. Additionally, CAU student
entrepreneurs will present their ventures and compete in “The Panther’s Den,” a
judged business pitch competition.
Johnson added that the convening of this national conversation at the
University is intentional and strategic. “It is important to include students in this
Summit,” he said, “because the question of who will create the jobs of tomorrow
must also encompass access to market resources for young minority
entrepreneurs who, in order to be successful in the 21st century global economy,
must redefine their role in the economic landscape as job creators in addition to
job applicants. This discussion of economic inclusion not only connects directly to
the ongoing discourse around bolstering America’s global competitiveness, but,
more importantly, connects those traditionally excluded from the conversation.”
For the full CAU Economic Inclusion and Competitiveness Summit
schedule, speakers and registration site, visit www.cau.edu/inclusion. For more
information on the Summit or Clark Atlanta University, contact Rita Hardy, 404-
880-8524. # # #
NEWS
Clark Atlanta University is a
private, coeducational four-year
university located in the historic
heart of Atlanta. It is
designated by the Carnegie
Foundation for the
Advancement of Teaching as
a Doctoral Research University.
Our 3,661 students are engaged
in 38 areas of study in our four
schools: Arts and Sciences,
Business Administration,
Education and the Whitney M.
Young Jr. School of Social
Work. National business and
consumer publications rank
Clark Atlanta high among the
best institutions in American
higher education. Clark Atlanta
University is accredited to
award the Bachelor’s, Master’s,
Specialist and Doctoral degrees
by the Commission on Colleges
of the Southern Association of
Colleges and Schools (1866
Southern Lane, Decatur,
Georgia 30033-4097;
Telephone 404-679-4501).
For more information,
call 404-880-8000 or go
to www.cau.edu.