Churches as Incubators for Economic Empowerment: Building Partnerships to Help Jump-Start a More Inclusive and Equitable Economy

A historic moment for economic development is here: Government is investing in strategic sectors like infrastructure and the green economy. It has never been more pressing, City College of New York (CCNY) President Vincent G. Boudreau argues, to rebuild our communities along with our infrastructure and to gather allies and collaborators in this effort. In neighborhoods like Harlem, the South Bronx and northern Manhattan, for example, houses of worship are vital resources for residents: a growing conduit to economic opportunities and a space for building trust in those opportunities, among people structurally disadvantaged for centuries. Boudreau's first guest on this episode of From City to the World is Rev. Dennis Dillon, who has recently served as a convener of the Resurgence Conference, an effort to harness the power of Black churches in the service of community and economic development. Joining the conversation is Dr. Angelo Lampousis, interim executive director of CCNY's Rangel Infrastructure Workforce Initiative. This dynamic new state- and federally funded program aims to take workforce development to the next level, lifting local communities through training for existing and emerging careers in the growing infrastructure sector. Host: CCNY President Vincent Boudreau Speakers: Rev. Dennis Dillon, pastor of Rise Church New York and publisher of New York Christian Times; Angelo Lampousis, Ph.D., Interim Executive Director of CCNY's Rangel Infrastructure Workforce Initiative Recorded: Sept. 13, 2022