Joint Center News: November 2019
The Joint Center hosted a convening on the future of work in Atlanta, briefed Members of Congress on future of work solutions, and published an op-ed in The Hill on how Congress can continue to address its lack of staff diversity.
Economic Studies
The Joint Center hosted a day-long convening in Atlanta, GA at the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies to discuss future of work challenges and solutions for Black communities in and around Atlanta. Ambassador Andrew Young Jr. addressed the group during a lunchtime keynote, offering lessons from the past to help us face challenges in the future of work. Participants included local scholars, community leaders, entrepreneurs, technologists, and members of both the business and philanthropic sectors. Special thanks to Comcast NBCUniversal for its support of the event.
Joint Center President Spencer Overton joined the U.S. House Committee on Education and Labor for an expert roundtable on the future of work. During the live-streamed discussion, Spencer spoke about how Congress and other stakeholders can ensure that Black workers have pathways to good jobs in the changing economy.
Spencer also participated in an Aspen Institute briefing on automation and the future of work. During the discussion, panelists informed congressional staff of ways to modernize existing policies to help workers thrive in the changing economy.
Spencer joined New America’s panel on tech and the future of work, during their launch event for the report, New America’s Worker Voices: Technology and the Future for Workers.
Joint Center Economic Policy Director Jessica Fulton and several other data privacy-minded advocates, academics, researchers, political and government officials, practitioners, and lawyers contributed insights on data privacy issues that were synthesized into Understanding Data Privacy Protections Across Industries, a report published this month by Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs’ Technology and Public Purpose Project and New America Foundation’s Public Interest Technology.
Joint Center Economic Policy Director Jessica Fulton attended the National Skills Coalition’s discussion on actionable policies to address the changing nature of work.
Annie E. Casey Foundation Senior Associate Allison Gerber spoke with Aspen Institute’s Economic Opportunities Program Senior Evaluation Manager Ranita Jain and Goodwill Industries of Central and Southern Indiana Retail Guide Taylor Hopkins about helping young people earn skills and credentials to access higher-paying positions.
Craig Silliman, Verizon’s Executive Vice President & Chief Administrative, Legal, and Public Policy Officer, explained why the company is endorsing passage of the REAL Act which would restore Pell Grant eligibility to incarcerated people.
The Aspen Institute’s Future of Work Initiative National Advisory Council released Solutions for a Changing Economy. The report provides policy ideas to address the changing nature of work in three domains: independent work; automation, artificial intelligence and lifelong learning; and inclusive capitalism and human capital.
JPMorgan Chase launched PolicyCenter to identify and promote policy solutions that can drive inclusive economic growth. The PolicyCenter’s first goal is to reduce employment obstacles for returning citizens.
Political Studies
Joint Center Senior Fellow of Diversity & Inclusion Dr. LaShonda Brenson penned an op-ed for The Hill encouraging Congress to better address its lack of staff diversity by collecting and releasing more detailed data.
LaShonda was also quoted in a Michigan Advance article on the Joint Center’s analysis of the U.S. House’s recent staff compensation and diversity study.
The Joint Center joined over 20 organizations urging Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, and Members of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress to extend the Select Committee’s mandate for one additional year. Moving forward, the Select Committee, which was successfully extended through the end of the 116th Congress, can play a key role in encouraging congressional members to consider diversity as they hire new staff.
Spencer participated in the Harvard Law School Black Alumni Association’s panel discussion on the power of inclusion in the political process.
NALEO Educational Fund CEO Arturo Vargas wrote an op-ed for The Hill on the importance and value of having diversity top staff in Congress.
Remembering Congressman Elijah E. Cummings and Congressman John Conyers
The Joint Center mourns the passing of Congressman Elijah Cummings and Congressman John Conyers. Both congressmen were notable civil rights advocates who left meaningful legacies for Black communities and for the country as a whole. Congressman Cummings was a pillar of justice among Members of Congress, and Congressman Conyers was the longest-serving African American in the history of Congress. Spencer’s statement on the passing of Congressman Cummings can be found here, and The New York Times profile on Congressman Conyers can be found here.
Podcasts
On his weekly podcast, WashingTECH Host Joe Miller spoke with University of South Florida Assistant Director of the Office of Undergraduate Research and PhD Candidate Ora Tanner on the racial implications of Florida’s school safety portal, abolitionist lawyer Andrew Free on eliminating unlawful DNA testing at the border, Pew Research Center Research Associate Elisa Shearer on the trustworthiness of news on social media, George Mason University Senior Research Fellow Brent Skorup on the common law history of Section 230, Bank Novo Founder Tyler McIntyre on fintech and small businesses, and Internet Association Director of Diversity & Inclusion Policy and Counsel Sean Perryman on holistic approaches to diversity and inclusion research. The podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and on WashingTECH’s website. New episodes every Tuesday. Listen here.
In Case You Missed It
The Smithsonian Institution’s National Portrait Gallery unveiled its “Recent Acquisitions” exhibit which includes a portrait of Former Joint Center President Eddie N. Williams. The portrait is being displayed with images of other notable figures such as Wilma Rudolph, Ernest Everett Just, and Samuel Northup. The portraits will remain on the first floor through Aug. 30, 2020, before joining the museum’s permanent collection.
The Ford Foundation President Darren Walker authored From Generosity to Justice: A New Gospel of Wealth. The book is available for free as an eBook and audiobook, and explores the use of philanthropy as “a tool for economic, social, and political justice.
Upcoming
From November 22-29, Shop Black Week will host a nationwide campaign to help Black-owned businesses attract new customers and gain new business. To do so, the group asks every American to purchase at least one product or service from a Black-owned business during that week.
On December 3, many will celebrate #GivingTuesday, a global initiative to encourage charitable donations to nonprofit organizations like the Joint Center. As you think of your end-of-the-year giving, please consider donating to us, America’s Black think tank.
On December 5, the Library of Congress will debut “Rosa Parks: In Her Own Words.” The exhibit will feature her writings, reflections, photos, records, and other memorabilia.
