Jamaica: Rising & Resilient

This conversation will focus on the challenges and opportunities faced by GJDC over the past 6 and one-half years and the innovative ways we addressed those challenges. We will also explore the future of economic development progress and the impact on downtowns across the city.

Under her leadership, Hope led an austere GJDC, through a catastrophic 20 months of COVID while significantly increasing technical support services and lending to small businesses desperate for assistance to keep them in business.  GJDC saved well over a thousand jobs, administered a New York City grant program which distributed close to $2 million to small businesses, was selected by New York State to assist small business access COVID relief funds, distributed tens of thousands of pieces of PPP, and continued to focus on struggling MWBE’s, especially Black-owned businesses, which have received 100% of our 2021 lending.

Carla Harris is among the most widely trusted experts on business in the country. A Board member of Fortune 500 companies Walmart and Cummins, CEO’s seek and value her guidance. Named by President Obama as Chair of the National Women’s Business Council, Carla also regularly tops Fortune magazine lists of powerful executives.

As with our past conversations, we are seeking sponsors. Know that 100% of revenue generated will be directed to the highly labor-intensive work of our Business Services Group.