SEASON 4, EPISODE 12

Unlocking Hidden Talent: A Guide to Transformative Workforce Development EIC hosted an empowering webinar on Thursday, August 10th that highlighted NEW BOOST™ for Hidden Talent, a groundbreaking workforce development program for the BIPOC community. NEW BOOST™ for Hidden Talent provides customized skills training, career coaching, and job placement support to unlock the potential of talented individuals eager to meaningfully contribute their abilities. Attendees heard firsthand from program experts on how NEW BOOST™ for Hidden Talent is transforming workforce development by cultivating new career pathways and addressing systemic barriers to employment. The webinar provided valuable insights on implementing impactful workforce training initiatives that open doors, provide equal opportunities, and strengthen local economies. Panelists include:

• Vickie Patterson, Executive Director, Bay Area Workforce Development Board
• Dr. Bri Robins, Chief Operating Officer, Abaxent LLC
• Rebecca Deshane, Vice President, Talent Development, New North, Inc.

Hosted by EIC’s David Ponraj, this conversation can now be accessed to gain the same actionable strategies and uplifting stories on empowering BIPOC communities through workforce development that were highlighted during the live event. Want to learn more about EIC’s mission of driving equity through workforce development? Check out these blog posts: Nurturing Local Talent for Sustainable Growth Unleashing Hidden Talent: The Transformative Impact of NEW BOOST™ About the Speaker Organizations Bay Area Workforce Development Board The Bay Area Workforce Development Board, consisting of selected community representatives, develops a skilled workforce by strategically allocating and coordinating resources to address community needs by working through others for the benefit of all. Bay Area WDB, a non-profit corporation, is the fiscal and administrative agent for funds and programming designed to deliver locally customized job training and workforce development initiatives. Learn more at https://www.bayareawdb.org/. Abaxent LLC Abaxent is a tailored Business, Process and Technology Solutions Consultancy. Through our solutions driven approach we leverage our deep network to find the best fitting Technology, People and Products (hardware and software), Process Optimization Solutions and Services offered. Our solutions are designed as individual or tailored bundled services at a competitive price. Learn more at https://www.abaxent-global.com/. New North, Inc. New North, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit, regional marketing and economic development corporation that fosters collaboration among private and public sector leaders. New North was created in 2005 by business leaders to implement economic development strategies that leverage regional assets/capacities and engage regional collaborators to maximize the collective economic power of 18 counties. Learn more at https://www.thenewnorth.com/.

About Breaking Down Barriers
This podcast explores the opportunity to build wealth in local, regional, and national economies through entrepreneurship-led economic development. Episodes feature changemakers with innovative approaches to empowering people to start businesses that create wealth for their families and improve outcomes for their communities. Conversations highlight work being done in communities across the U.S. to break down barriers to entrepreneurial opportunity in underserved and underrepresented communities. In this series, we share authentic stories about the impact that entrepreneurship-led economic development has on the local economy and connect a global network of passionate economic developers. 

Special thanks to our renowned guests for joining the podcast! Click here to send us ideas. Subscribe in the footer to our newsletter to get updates and news delivered to your inbox! 

Breaking Down Barriers is a presentation of Economic Impact Catalyst and is hosted by David Ponraj with production and editing by Jacqui Dietrich and Lauren Bernard with voice talent by Antoine Long. Please rate, review, and subscribe to Breaking Down Barriers, available for free wherever you listen to your podcasts!