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Economic Development

Innovation in Times of Crisis

Innovation in Times of Crisis

By Alejandra Guzman

Click aqui para español- >Innovación en tiempo de crisis

The COVID-19 global pandemic has triggered an unprecedented crisis that has tested us in every single imaginable way. Around the world and in the US, we have experienced lockdowns and other strategies to slow the spread of the virus. Nonessential businesses have shuttered, and many people have lost their jobs. Others have implemented remote working and thousands of schools have closed leaving parents to home-school. Critical protective equipment for healthcare professionals and other essential workers has been short in supply. Considering all of this, innovation has emerged. Companies had to adapt quickly to change and redesign their products or services, or even create new ones to respond to the emerging demands.


We have seen innovations and pivoting in just about every industry, from fashion to food and beverage. Airbnb announced a new global initiative to house hundreds of thousands of healthcare professionals, relief workers, and first responders around the world. American automotive manufacturers are now supplying ventilators and masks. Ford is assembling plastic face shields and is leveraging its 3D-printing capability to produce medical equipment parts. They are also collaborating with 3M on a respirator mask design that leverages the shelf parts from both companies. Brook Brothers is converting three of its factories into a producer of medical supplies, and like these, there are many other examples around the world.

Although New Orleans became one of the hotspots of infection, we quickly embraced a new way of thinking and doing. Members of the New Orleans Hospitality Industry found a way to address emerging needs. QED Hospitality which handles food and beverage services for multiple hotels, bars and cafes, shut down due to the health crisis, but soon after they created QED Services, and began coaching patients to use computer applications for telemedicine and familiarizing them with the process. QED Hospitality shifted about half of their employees to work on QED Services. Numerous craft distilleries around the city have been adding hand sanitizer to their local supply helping them stay afloat. Seven Three Distilling Co., Nola Brewing Company, Urban South Beer, Lula Restaurant and Distillery, and Sazerac House are some examples. The latter gave away cases of 190 proof grain alcohol, that can be used to eliminate germs on certain surfaces. They have prioritized their gifts to Louisiana-based first responders, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and healthcare providers. Good Wood Nola, a local company that specializes in the design and fabrication of custom furniture and architectural fabrication is now pivoting to produce face masks and other personal protection equipment. Other small businesses have found creative ways to support our community. Synergy Design Group, a company specializing in exhibit design for trade shows, events, and branded interiors, responded to the crisis by switching their materials, resources, and personnel to create COVID-19 response items, such as modular wall systems, medical pods, and face shields. The popular multichannel retail store Fleurty Girl that sells items inspired by New Orleans, announced via social media that they were donating materials to produce masks. “Apparently, our Fleurty Girl reusable bags are the proper material to make a droplet cover for N95 PPE masks. We have donated bags to help local makers make masks covers for frontline workers and for those with immune issues.”

Innovation in New Orleans has also emerged in the non-profit and public sectors where teams are coming up with support programs and showing their leadership by donating time, money, or equipment to the cause.

At a State level, LED released a guaranteed loan that is intended to support small businesses in the State of Louisiana. The Louisiana Loan Portfolio Guarantee Program, or LPGP, is a partnership of Louisiana Economic Development (LED), which will provide a loan guaranty fund; the Louisiana Bankers Association (LBA), whose participating members will offer the loans; and the Louisiana Public Facilities Authority (LPFA), which will administer the program. The Guarantee Fund will go up to fifty million where LED will guarantee up to 20% of the fund. Loans go up to $100,000 to Louisiana small businesses with less than one hundred employees impacted by the COVID 19 Crisis. Other attractive characteristics of this program include a fixed rate of 3.5% and the first six months will bear no interest and no payment will be due for the first six months of the loan.

At a local level, the New Orleans Business Alliance, the public-private partnership that focuses on economic development, released the Gig Economy Relief Fund to support local workers affected by the COVID 19. The organization committed the first $100,000 to the fund with the goal of increasing assets to a minimum of $500,000. Within its first week, the fund reached its half-million-dollar goal thanks to major donations from Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson, Baptist Community Ministries, Gulf Coast Bank, and more. 

The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Louisiana quickly assembled a group of bilingual volunteers to translate essential information coming from a wide range of organizations including government agencies, economic development organizations, and schools. Through this service, they have been able to assure that the Hispanic Community receives timely and accurate information to respond to the crisis. They have also set a series of weekly webinars to keep the community informed.

In New Orleans we are all united by a common purpose, seeing the system differently, unfreezing our organizations, and acting quickly with a new sense of urgency. This is a mindset that triggers innovation and results. I’m confident that this community mindset will help us address challenges that have been affecting us long before COVID-19, and as a result, will make us stronger in the long-term.  

Why Technology and Data Matter

Why Technology and Data Matter

By Alejandra Guzman

Click aqui para español- >La importancia de la tecnología y de los datos

There is a lot of discussion in the Economic Development field on how technology is changing the nature of our current jobs and what that means for the future of work and designing curricula to meet those demands. In New Orleans, the different organizations that are involved in this topic are in constant communication and coordination with each other to help address this challenge. Although this is a huge issue that needs to be addressed, I also want to point out that there are more positive aspects of technology and the data that can be collected through it. This is benefiting workforce development, for example, by increasing access to online curricula and providing more flexibility to both students and educators. It is also benefiting other areas of economic development. For example, at the New Orleans Business Alliance, we use data and technology to support our work around business attraction and retention.

A big focus of my 2020 work will be on developing and executing real estate, policy, and partnership strategies to promote the development of communities that have been handicapped by disinvestment. Technology and data analytics will play a large role in this.

In the case of real estate development, we partner with internationally recognized data analytic companies such as Buxton to build the case of why investment opportunities have a high probability of being successful in our market. Our partnership will help us gain access to relevant information and elevate our potential to recruit retailers and real estate investments to New Orleans. 

It is important to note that over the last decade, the process of retail site selection has changed significantly. Once considered solely an art, relying on the experience of seasoned professionals, it is now becoming a blend of art and science. In the past, cities would be analyzed mainly on median income levels and other demographic factors, which are important, but not the only ones. They do not fully capture the lifestyle details that explain why people have specific shopping behavior. Psychographics can provide a much clearer picture of the potential customer base. With data analytics, we now understand purchasing behaviors, media preferences, and lifestyle characteristics. This information has helped us clarify certain misconceptions around the communities we want to support.

We have proven with data that just because a certain area lacks retail and restaurants at the moment doesn’t mean that there is not a consumer base to support them. This has helped us focus our energy on the real challenges and make a more compelling business pitch to those brands that we want to attract. Our NOLABA team will be using this information on RECon, the International Council of Shopping Centers’ largest global gathering of retail and real estate professionals. 
For the 10th year in a row, the New Orleans Business Alliance will build a large contingency of locals to make the trek to Las Vegas from May 17-19 in an effort to showcase the retail and real estate opportunities our city has to offer.   

We are committed to working closely with our partners to keep new retail projects moving. All members of the New Orleans delegation will have access to the NOLABA booth with meeting space, Buxton data analytics (applicable to their specific projects), and networking opportunities, among other benefits. I´m very excited about the future of our city!

If you also want to be part of this effort, make sure to visit nolaba.org for more information.

Inclusion in the Toy AIsle

Inclusion in the Toy AIsle

By Alejandra Guzmán

@aleguzman

 Click aqui para español- >El pasillo de los juguetes se vuelve más inclusivo

Diversity matters for all organizations, not just out of principle but also as good business practice. Organizations have taken a long time to recognize the need for diversity in their practices, but fortunately many of them are taking firm steps to correct the lack of diversity in their products and services. More importantly, these organizations are also recognizing the impact that they have in the community at large. A great example of this change in practices is the ever-popular Barbie, Mattel popular doll. The famous doll that debuted in 1959 reflected a very specific body image in its original design. Over the years, Barbie became a global symbol of a certain kind of American beauty.

The controversy steered by Barbie’s body type and appearance has been known by many, and there have been claims that if Barbie’s measurements were made into a human-size scale, the measurements would be unnatural and completely unrealistic. As a consequence of this unrealistic image, little girls have been provided with harmful expectations of a body image and definitions of beauty, especially when the original dolls depicted only white, blue-eyed and blonde women.

Time Magazine reported studies that suggested that Barbie had influenced the girls’ view of an ideal body. A compelling study published in the journal of Developmental Psychology in 2006, found that girls exposed to Barbie at a young age expressed greater concern with being thin, when compared with girls exposed to other dolls.

Lena Dunham, writer and producer of HBO’s show “Girls,” and Winnie Harlow from “America’s Next Top Model” are two great examples of modern-day advocates for women empowerment and body acceptance. Dunham has been outspoken about body confidence issues and has been an advocate for “loving the skin you’re in.” She is constantly reflective in her social media posts where she often shares personal experiences with body shaming to remind people of the importance of accepting your body. Harlow, a model who has vitiligo, a skin condition that causes skin to lose its pigment, has used her fame to be an outspoken activist for body positivity and acceptance.

Mothers of this generation have been driving changes in the way products are developed. They are favoring empowering toys for their sons and daughters. The way they shop directly affects the profits of toy-making companies. Companies like Mattel have taken firm steps to introduce toys that are more representative of the real world, including changing the ever-popular Barbie dolls.

In 2016, Mattel introduced Barbie with three body types, and they are now taking a further step towards diversity by introducing their Fashionistas line. This line features 176 dolls, both male and female, with nine different body lines, 35 skin tones, and 94 hairstyles. This is a statement that beauty comes in many colors and shapes and reflects a more diverse society.

Mattel is not the only company creating dolls that have diverse appearances and abilities. American Girl´s 2020 Girl of the Year is hearing impaired. The line also includes doll accessories like, a wheelchair and a diabetes care kit. Another brand, Creative Minds, has a collection called “Friends with Diverse Abilities.”

These are steps in the right direction for diversity and inclusion. Not only is it the ethically right thing to do, but these changes also represent good business practices in an increasingly diverse society.

*Photo Courtesy of Mattel

Sustainability. A Competitive Advantage in The Hospitality Industry

Sustainability. A Competitive Advantage in The Hospitality Industry

By Alejandra Guzman

Click aqui para español- >Sostenibilidad. Una ventaja competitiva en la industria hotelera

I inaugurated 2020 by participating as a speaker during the Independent Lodging Congress (ILC) that took place in New Orleans. This groups’ events focus on discovery, collaboration and idea generation for the hospitality industry. The ILC strives to connect visionaries and leaders inside and outside the lodging sector for the betterment of the industry and the communities they serve.

I was invited to discuss how the hospitality industry can embrace sustainable practices while promoting the success of their business. I started by clarifying that the concept of sustainability comprises economic, environmental, and social pillars. When an organization focuses on the environmental and social areas, the competitive advantage of economic sustainability is achieved.

Millennials are known for gravitating towards organizations that promote good social and environmental practices, especially sustainability. This generation is looking for meaningful and unique experiences that make them feel more connected to their communities, to other people, and to the world. The hospitality industry is responding to this trend by taking measures to cater to this market with changes like installing energy-efficient systems, adopting efficient waste management techniques, instituting green building rating and certification systems, and marketing themselves as eco- and community-friendly destinations. Hotels are also evaluating their internal policies and the impact they have on stakeholders to become more socially responsible, understanding that their operations impact the community at large.

The National Geographic has created Unique Lodges of the Word, a curated list of less than 60 lodgers worldwide that get recognized for engaging in responsible practices. These lodgers are selected based on four criteria: unparalleled experience, environment, authenticity, and sustainability.

One such hotel is Finca Rosa Blanca in Costa Rica. The 30-acre location includes an organic, sustainably forested coffee plantation of 7,000 trees, and creates a sense of belonging to the community by including culturally relevant practices in the hotel’s operations. Finca Rosa Blanca exclusively hires locally and develops relationships with schools and residents in the surrounding villages. They encourage ecotourism and support environmental consciousness and proactive sustainable practices. They have plans in place for recycling and regeneration, avoiding toxic chemicals and engaging in organic agriculture to reduce their ecological footprint and mitigate their impact on climate change. They have received several other awards and certifications including Costa Rica’s Certification for Sustainable Tourism and are one of many great examples of how sustainability is a competitive advantage in the hospitality industry.

If you are interested in learning more about best practices in the hotel industry, make sure to visit the ILC Congress webpage (ilcongres.com). Perhaps you want to plan your next vacation to a fabulous and sustainable destination? Then the National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World website is the way to go! Visit nationalgeographiclodges.com for more.

Economic Development

Economic Development

By Alejandra Guzmán

Click aqui para español- >El Desarrollo Económico

As we enter the new year, many of us will reflect on what personal goals we want to accomplish in the coming months. As we go through this process, thinking about what we could accomplish as a community will be extremely valuable because our individual success is tied to the overall success of our community. Economic development is a fundamental component of every community, and it matters because people matter. It promotes well-being, quality of life and opportunities to develop human potential.

Creating the right conditions for economic development is a complex task that requires the participation of various sectors within our community. It requires a deliberate, holistic approach that should be centered on people. This approach to economic development recognizes that participants work together within a system and interact with each other. Participants include businesses and other sources of employment, workforce, and infrastructure. Each works independently from the rest, though they are all a requirement for development. A holistic economic development will matter only to the extent that it touches and changes the lives of all citizens. Cities that lead in attracting financial and human capital are able to expand access to economic opportunity. However, it is also important to consider that development requires intentional action across multiple generations to allow change to happen in all neighborhoods.

Everyone should have an opportunity to thrive and to be successful. In order to create opportunity for all, leadership in all sectors must ask essential questions: How can cities yield more positive outcomes for all urban residents, small business owners, and long-term stakeholders? What can we do to catalyze and accelerate more growth in the lower income and/or higher crime neighborhoods? How do we ensure that all members of our communities are involved in these discussions, so we can create more inclusive economic opportunities?

Although New Orleans is no stranger to the spirit of continual re-invention that animates American cities, the city’s leaders must continue to seek answers to the hard questions and take action to remain on a trajectory of equity and growth.

A great way to get involved in economic development is through the New Orleans Business Alliance Ambassadors Program. This program provides an in-depth insight into the work of growing and diversifying the city’s economy. For seven weeks, participants connect with industry experts and business leaders across all facets of economic landscape in New Orleans. This program can serve as inspiration on what can be done at the individual and community levels to support the economic development of our city.

Check out nolaba.org for additional details on this program and the application process.

Consider economic development as one of your 2020 goals!

Diversity, A Competitive Advantage

Diversity, A Competitive Advantage

By Alejandra Guzman

Click aqui para español- >La Diversidad: Una Ventaja Competitiva

I was recently invited to be a speaker representing the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Louisiana at the Women Can Drive Business symposium presented by the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA). The group wanted to hear about why diversity matters and I immediately jumped at the opportunity. It is a subject I have been passionate about since I started my professional career.

Before discussing diversity, we first have to discuss identity. We must recognize that there are many facets to identity and that having a sense of identity is important because it allows us to stand out as individuals and have a sense of belonging. In a corporate setting, there is no one-size-fits-all strategy, and it is important to understand the composition of the community your organization serves, as well as to recognize the potential barriers your population might have before entering the market.

My first encounter with diversity was through an initiative focused on the integration of people with disabilities into society and the workforce. Mexico-based Movimiento Congruencia(MC) is an alliance between companies, hiring agencies, and other institutions. MC began in 2000 with 11 participating companies, and eight years later, 51 organizations were taking part, and over 500 individuals with disabilities had participated. Since then, the MC program has been extended to Panama and Colombia.

Initiatives supporting gender diversity also seemed to require a lot of effort to push through. Many times management required for anyone like me interested in the topic to build the business case for diversity, and at that time there was very little information available.

Reputable organizations, such as the consulting firm McKinsey & Company, have published studies that support the business case for diversity. Their Diversity Matters tudy, published in 2015, looked at the relationship between the level of diversity (defined as a greater number of women and more mixed ethnic/racial composition in the leadership of large companies) and company financial performance (measured as average revenue from 2010-2013). They collected data from hundreds of companies across four different countries.

The study found that there is a significant correlation relationship between a more diverse leadership team and better financial performance. The companies at the top quartile for both gender and ethnic diversity were more likely to have financial returns that were above their national industry median. This is a powerful finding that suggests that diversity is a competitive advantage that moves market share towards more diverse companies.Diverse companies have a competitive advantage when recruiting top talent, have a better understanding of their customers, employee satisfaction, and better decision making. This all leads to a cycle of performance that ultimately leads to financial success.

If you are interested in building the business case for diversity, I would encourage you to take a closer look at the Mckinsey & Company study.

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McKinsey & Company’s Diversity Matters Research found a direct relation to a more diverse leadership to better financial performance 

Day of the Dead

Day of the Dead An important contributor to social cohesion and cultural diversity

By Alejandra Guzmán

Click aqui para español- > Celebración del Día de los Muertos

There is growing interest and recognition for the importance of cultural and creative industries that drive sustainable development and inclusive job opportunities.

At an international level, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) published guidelines and research to support the economic contribution of cultural industries.

The UNESCO reports demonstrate that knowledge-based economies are supported in creativity and talent and emphasize cultural industries as a conceptual framework for growth generators. A clear example of this is how software design and technology blend creativity to thrive.

Authors like Richard Florida, through his book The Rise of The Creative Class, make the connection between thriving economies (some based on tech) and distinctive creative elements present in a given city, such as a booming music scene.

In addition, the industries bolstered by cultural and creative economies are potentially an important contributor to social cohesion and nation-building through the promotion of intercultural dialogue, education, and collaboration.

My favorite example of this is the Mexican holiday known as the Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos). During this holiday, families pay homage to their deceased friends and relatives. They welcome their souls with a reunion through a celebration including the favorite food, drinks and memories of the deceased. This holiday is celebrated on November 1st and 2nd, and the belief is that a portal between the spiritual world and the physical world opens at this time. The souls of the dead return to the living world to feast, drink, dance and play music with their loved ones.

To honor this tradition, different communities in the United States organize festivities and invite the community at large to celebrate. In New Orleans, there are various organizations that are honoring the tradition. The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Louisiana has organized the Día de Los Muertos Festival on November 3rd, a day where New Orleans families will be able to enjoy local music, food, crafts, a costume competition, and the opportunity to bring offerings to an altar.

This celebration brings me back to my upbringing in Mexico. Every November, I contributed to my school’s altar and honored my ancestors by bringing pictures of my deceased family members and decorating with papel picado (pinched paper). The papel picado refers to decorative cut paper used throughout Mexico for all holidays and fiestas. During Día de los Muertos celebrations, this decorative paper is placed around the altar’s edges to add color.

We also enjoy the traditional pan de muertos (bread of the dead), which is one of the holiday’s most popular foods. The bread is often placed on the altar, but it can be enjoyed at any time with coffee or hot chocolate!

There are many other holiday symbols such as sugar skulls, the cempasúchil flower, and the literary version of calaveritas (little skulls). The calaveritas are traditional verse compositions written for the holiday in Mexico, and it is one of my favorite rituals. They are a compilation of satirical stories that poke fun at people in a way that suggests they are dead even though they are still alive. It is common to find calaveritas in the Mexican newspapers and magazines making fun of celebrities and political figures.

It is great to be able to enjoy the tradition of other cultures in the United States and to have these types of festivals that promote cultural diversity, inspiration for creativity, an educational opportunity for all, and social cohesion through healthy dialogue and family fun. I believe these elements are necessary for communities to thrive.

I am so proud of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Louisiana for organizing the Day of the Death Festival! 

Find more about this and other events via www.hccl.biz.

Until next time!

“During Day of the Dead, or Día de los Muertos, families pay homage to their deceased friends and relatives”

Photo Casa Borrega

Dia De los Muertos Painting by Marcella Escarfuller

Are you Opportunity Zone Ready?

Are you Opportunity Zone Ready?

By Alejandra Guzmán

Click aqui para español- > ¿Estás listo para las zonas de oportunidad?

There has been a lot of discussion lately about the recently released Opportunity Zone Federal Program, which was established by Congress in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. The program defines an opportunity zone as an economically distressed community where new investments, under certain conditions, may be eligible for preferential tax treatment. Localities qualify as opportunity zones if they have been nominated for that designation by the state and that nomination has been certified by the Secretary of the U.S. Treasury via his delegation of authority to the Internal Revenue Service.

The idea behind this is that opportunity zones will open up a pathway for private investors to put money into economically challenged communities, through a variety of tax benefits for the capital invested and gained, conditional on meeting certain requirements. The hope is that neighborhoods with a lack of investment will enjoy an influx of private capital, and investors will earn a nice return. This will be great for spurring investments and entrepreneurial activity.

Real estate development in particular is expected to benefit from this. Also, it can play an important role in creating resilient communities. When developing the right products through the right processes, communities can vastly improve. Opportunities such as job creation during construction and during the long-term operations of the development bring with them other neighborhood resources that didn’t exist before. In addition to that, development projects can positively affect the public realm by bringing vitality and safety to a neighborhood. When done right, real estate investment can reduce racial disparities, build a culture of health, and bring vibrancy to communities. Overall, this is a great opportunity to funnel investment to New Orleans by bringing additional capital for real estate development projects but also to support our local business owners and professional service providers to find opportunities.

To support the local community of investors, projects, and professional service providers, the New Orleans Business Alliance has created a series of comprehensive workshops focused on the Federal Opportunity Zone program.  Attendees can expect to learn about fund creation, operation, and equitable development outcomes throughout Orleans Parishes’ designated opportunity zones, as well as receive the tools necessary to attract investment.  Participants can benefit from networking with developers, entrepreneurs, banks and other institutions to find the best investment opportunities across New Orleans.  They will also be able to meet industry experts and connect with tax and real estate professionals who specialize in preparing businesses for Opportunity Zone investment and fund formation.

The first workshop takes place on November 19, 2019, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. at the Jung Hotel.

Visit www.nolaba.org for more information.

Until next time!

Kobra´s Mural Brings Louis Armstrong Back to Life in New Orleans

Kobra´s Mural Brings Louis Armstrong Back to Life in New Orleans

By Alejandra Guzman

Click aqui para español- > El mural de Eduardo Kobra que ha revivido a Louis Armstrong en Nueva Orleans

Culture builds strong communities and plays an important part in the rejuvenation of cities and the transformation of the ordinary into extraordinary. It also creates a sense of belonging and pride within a community.

New Orleans is the example of a unique American City that emerged from a cross-pollination of multiple cultures to create its own. The manifestations of the city’s culture can be appreciated in buildings and spaces, music and dance, social traditions, and cuisine. For centuries, New Orleans artists have captivated the nation and the world with their different forms of art. Residents feel proud to be part of such a unique city, and why wouldn’t we? There is a lot to be proud of! No other city can call itself the birthplace of jazz and be recognized as the bounce capital of the world.

Louis Armstrong is a prime example of this. Nicknamed “Satchmo” and later “Ambassador Satch,” Armstrong became internationally known for his charismatic stage presence, trumpet-playing style and unique voice. He was born August 4, 1901, in New Orleans, and every year the city commemorates his birthday with the Satchmo SummerFest, organized by French Quarter Festivals Inc. The first annual Satchmo SummerFest took place on what would have been his 100th birthday; that same year, the New Orleans airport was renamed the Louis Armstrong International Airport.

This year´s celebration was extra special, as globally known muralist Eduardo Kobra payed homage to our city´s cultural icon. On the week of Armstrong´s birthday, Kobra finished a fascinating mural on the corner of Gravier and O´Keefe, commissioned by developers ERG Enterprises and Kupperman Companies. His signature style brings Armstrong to life, using a collage of bright colors and geometric shapes in lieu of natural skin tones while depicting naturalistic shadow and light to create a photorealistic masterwork. Kobra’s mural has made this corner the epicenter of color for the neighborhood and brought a beloved historical figure back to life.

Kobra is known for depicting notable people around the world, including Russia, Great Britain, Brazil, Japan, Switzerland, France, Greece, Italy, and Mexico, to name a few. Kobra was born in the Campo Limpio region, near Sao Paulo, Brazil. Influenced by street culture, hip hop, and graffiti, he has now taken the world as his stage to prove that there is equal value between street art and fine art. Many believe there is greater value in street art, as it contributes to positive urban transformation, democratizes art, and has the possibility to raise awareness on the most critical social and economic issues of our time.

¡Until next time!

Last August, on the week of Louis Armstrong´s birthday, Brazilian muralist Kobra finished this fascinating mural in New Orleans on the corner of Gravier and O´Keefe streets. The mural was commissioned by developers ERG Enterprises and Kupperman Companies.

Photography: Matthew Seymour

Achieving Urban Opportunity, Access, and Economic Inclusion

Achieving Urban Opportunity, Access,  and Economic Inclusion

By Alejandra Guzman

Click aqui para español- >Logrando oportunidad urbana, accesibilidad e inclusión económica

Cities and regions are the key social and economic organizing units of our time. They bring together people, jobs, and all that is required for economic growth. Also, urban density tied up with diversity, sparks creativity and innovation in business, arts, culture and society. According to CityLab, almost more than half of the world’s population live in cities and by 2030 it is projected that more than 9 billion people will live in cities and urban centers. Great minds such as Jane Jacobs have noted that cities are engines of innovation and the concentration of talented and creative people promote and accelerate economic growth.

In the United States the revitalization of our major cities has brought great benefits to some but displacement and lack of opportunity to others. Gentrification and income gaps are an unfortunate reality to many.

Everyone should have an opportunity to thrive and to be successful in creating opportunity for all. Leaders in all sectors of society must ask themselves important questions: How can cities yield more positive outcomes for all urban residents, small business owners, and long-term stakeholders?  What can we do to catalyze and accelerate more growth in the lower income and/or higher crime neighborhoods?  How do we ensure that all members of our communities are involved in these discussions, so we can create more inclusive economic opportunities?

Although New Orleans is no stranger to the spirit of continual re-invention that animates American cities, we must keep asking ourselves the hard questions to remain on a trajectory of equity and growth.

To facilitate this discussion, the New Orleans Business Alliance and the Aspen Institute have partnered to bring the Socrates Program to our city. This partnership provides a forum for emerging leaders from various professions to convene and explore contemporary issues through expert-moderated dialogue.

Socrates also provides the opportunity for participants to enter a diverse professional network and the broader range of the Aspen Institute’s programs. The seminars are designed as values-based Socratic explorations to facilitate the exchange of ideas. The Socratic method is one of the most powerful tactics for fostering critical thinking because it provides participants with questions, not answers.

This year the Socrates New Orleans Salon will include a public panel and reception on August 27 (6:00 pm to 8:00 pm) and a day-long seminar on August 28 (8:30 am – 4:00 pm) and the theme will focus on Urban Opportunity, Access, and Economic Inclusion.

If you are interested in participating in this discussion, get the details via nolaba.org or AspenInstitue.org.

 

Culture: A Fundamental Part of Economic Development

Culture: A Fundamental Part of Economic Development

By Alejandra Guzmán

Click aqui para español- > Nuestra cultura, una pieza fundamental para la promoción del desarrollo económico

During April and May, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival welcomed hundreds of thousands of attendees while hitting its half century mark. This annual spring event has brought an array of concerts that expand to every genre of music. Some of the legendary artists who have performed throughout the years include Mahalia Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Fats Domino, Tina Turner, Ray Charles, Lenny Kravitz, Tony Bennett, Tito Puente, and the list continues! A 2019 local favorite was the Queen of Bounce Big Freedia. Those in attendance reported that she was electric.

 

Another 2019 highlight included Mayor LaToya Cantrell presenting George Wein the key to the City acknowledging his contributions to jazz festivals. Mr. Wein has been a jazz promoter and producer and his work has left an undeniable legacy. He was responsible for the Newport Jazz Festival, our very own New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, and has represented festivals all over the world.

In 1959, the jazz impresario married Joyce Alexander Wein, a lady who also left a great legacy to American culture. A chemist by profession, Mrs. Wein started her career as a biochemist at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, and later in New York at Columbia Medical School.  In 1963, she joined her husband and others in founding the Newport Folk Festival, which is recognized as a major engine for festival culture. Her many contributions to society include establishing the Joyce and George Wein Professorship Fund in African American Studies at Boston University and an Endowed Scholarship Fund at Simons College. Mrs. Wein passed away in 2005 leaving an important legacy.

 

Festivals bring tremendous economic value, particularly to local businesses that benefit from the activity, and visitors driven by the event. For New Orleans, Jazz Fest also sets the stage for additional festivals throughout the year and helps maintain our cultural brand. What started as a small celebration of music and culture with just 350 attendees, has become an attraction of 680 musical acts in two weekends, and contributes $400 million to the city.

To learn more about how culture contributes to the economy, plan to attend the New Orleans Business Alliance’s Annual Meeting on June 27th. The organization will present how its work promotes, supports and grows our culture while focusing on equitable and inclusive economic development. The theme of the event is focused on Economic Development Reimagined featuring acclaimed international business leader, Arnold W. Donald, a New Orleans native who serves as the president and chief executive officer of the Carnival Corporation.

For more information visit nolaba.org

Until next time!

We Are Stronger Together

We Are Stronger Together

By Alejandra Guzman

Click aqui para español- > La alianza hace la fuerza

Last Fall, I was honored take part in an intimate dinner and conversation organized by the Aspen Institute. This took place in the context of a movement called “Weave: The Social Fabric Project”.

The project was launched during the summer of 2018 under the premise that social isolation and political, racial and economic divisions are ripping America apart.

Aspen’s leaders believe that social fragmentation is a core challenge of our day. They also recognize that across the United States there are people building communities and healing divides. Therefore, they organized a listening tour, consisting of multiple events, across the country to document examples and understand the world view of participants and to celebrate their accomplishments.

The listening tour highlighted solutions in different communities across the country that are working well and are advancing towards collective impact. The New Orleans event brought together a group of 20 impressive community leaders who focus on different issues in our city. We enjoyed a conversation with artists, musicians, real estate developers, teenage activists, nonprofit founders, and many others.

All of them work to rebuild trust and overcome issues of isolation and loneliness for people in New Orleans, in their own way.


It was inspiring to interact with people of different ages, political views, racial and religious beliefs, and professional and socioeconomic backgrounds working on issues that benefit our community from their diverse perspectives. I was proud to see New Orleans is home to so many leaders who view community as the fundamental unit in society and who find serving others meaningful. They act on a moral motivation and seek to do what is right regardless of their backgrounds.

One year after “Weave: The Social Fabric Project” launched, hundreds of participants from across the nation will gather in Washington DC on May 14th through the 16th. The event will bring together

hundreds of community builders, journalists, leaders of faith, nonprofits, government, and business to celebrate, engage and spread a lifestyle that is based in honoring community.

We can all be weavers of our community. To obtain more information on how to engage with “Weave: The Social Fabric Project,” visit AspenInstitute.org.

Until next time!

Longue Vue House and Gardens: A Cultural Legacy

Longue Vue House and Gardens: A Cultural Legacy

By Alejandra Guzman

Click aqui para español- >Longue Vue House and Gardens: Un legado cultural

Museums and cultural spaces serve as community anchors, catalysts for revitalization, and vehicles for cultural preservation and appreciation. They play an important role in community development as they provide educational opportunities and allow personal reflection that expands one's worldview. From an economic development perspective, they are important players in the tourism industry, add jobs to the economy and participate in workforce development through their educational programs. With its strong cultural heritage and tourism industry, it is well known that New Orleans is home to important museums, including the National WWII Museum, the Louisiana Children’s Museum, and the New Orleans Museum of Art, among others.

Culture connoisseurs will also recommend visiting Longue Vue House and Gardens. This is a multifaceted historic residence featuring a house museum and gardens, which includes a discovery garden for children.

This beautiful space’s history is what makes it the most special. Edgar and Edith Stern began construction on the house in 1939 as their private residence, but they had in mind that someday their property would become a public space. They named their home “Longue Vue” after the teahouse on the Hudson River where they became engaged.

Following the example of their own families, the couple kept a strong philanthropic and social responsibility mindset. They helped establish Dillard University and the Flint-Goodridge Teaching Hospital. They also worked on reforming voter registration. The Sterns were supporters of the arts, and particularly supported the New Orleans Philharmonic Symphony, among different artists. Edgar Stern was honored with the Times-Picayune Loving Cup in 1930 for supporting the establishment of Dillard University. Edith Stern was recognized in 1964 for her role in founding Metairie Park Country Day School and the Newcomb Nursery School.

Today, the Longue Vue House and Gardens continues the legacy of its founders. It promotes innovative thought, creative expression and life-long learning, discussion and action on issues of social justice and community responsibility. Individuals and families are welcomed to take the tours offered at the site. Longue Vue House and Gardens offers other ways in which people can get involved, such as an extensive program for children, family-friendly events throughout the year, and a membership program. One can also book certain areas of the space for social, business, or any special occasion.

To support the arts, Longue Vue offers an artist residency program. Each year, an artist is selected and offered a studio space on site, a stipend of $6,000 to use at its own discretion, supplies, promotion, and the possibility to sell their craft during events and in the gift shop. Jamar Pierre was the 2018 Artist-in-Residence, and Longue Vue House and Gardens was able to support him thanks to a grant from The Helis Foundation.

New Orleans is fortunate to be home to the Longue Vue House and Gardens, a true cultural legacy. If you haven’t visited yet, make sure you take advantage of the Spring weather and make it your next family plan. Until next time.

Doing Business in Mexico

Doing Business in Mexico

By Alejandra Guzman

Click aqui para español- >Estableciendo Negocios en México

Our southern neighbor, Mexico, has a vibrant economy and is the United States’ second largest export market after Canada. Mexico has a large, diversified economy that is linked to its deep U.S. trade investment relations. With 120 million citizens and a rapidly growing middle class, Mexico represents an attractive market for investors and foreign businesses.

Monterrey, Mexico City and Guadalajara are the major business hubs in Mexico. Growing up and working for more than 10 years in Monterrey, I can attest that this city is, in fact, one of the most important business hubs in the country. Monterrey is home to an elite university system, a diverse group of well-established multinational companies, and a burgeoning class of globally-competitive startups.

The cosmopolitan nature of the city created a demand for international education, making it possible for most children to obtain bilingual education starting in preschool all the way to higher education. The Monterrey Tec is the most important higher education system in Latin America and has hundreds of agreements with international universities to support exchange programs. As expected, the culture of internationalization produces a highly competitive workforce.

Recently, Mexico passed reforms in the energy, telecommunications, labor, financial and educational sectors. The reforms are intended to increase the country’s global competitiveness. The energy and telecommunication reforms can offer new opportunities for U.S. firms.

As far as international trade agreements, it is important to watch the development of the “new NAFTA.” Late 2018, the U.S., Canada, and Mexico signed a trade deal to replace NAFTA at the G20 summit in Argentina. It is now known as USMCA - the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Although President Donald Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and former Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto signed the new agreement, it requires ratification by all three governments. Regardless, Mexico is one of the finest destinations for U.S. exporters.

Looking at the Mexico market is worth value. For investors and business leaders interested in this market, there are various resources to consider including the U.S. Commercial Service. Tasked with helping companies to expand, it has locations in Monterrey, Mexico City, Guadalajara and New Orleans. Most recently, the Global Connect coalition began helping to bridge the gap between small and medium-size businesses and global resources and networks.

Partners include the New Orleans Business Alliance, the World Trade Center of New Orleans, GNO, Inc., the Port of New Orleans, the Port of South Louisiana, and Louisiana Economic Development.

Visit NOLABA.org for more information on economic development, Global Connect, and international business events. Until next time!

City Park: A New Orleans Treasure.

City Park: A New Orleans Treasure.

By Alejandra Guzman

Click aqui para español- > City Park: Un Tesoro en Nueva Orleans

The New Orleans community has the good fortune of enjoying one of the oldest urban parks in the nation.

Spanning a total of 1,300 acres, City Park offers a unique experience to millions of visitors each year. From taking a stroll through the beautifully cultivated botanical gardens, to biking, jogging, and walking the park’s paths, to adventuring the rides at the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park, City Park offers fun and diversion for everyone.

A personal favorite characteristic of our park is its beautiful oak trees, which represent the world´s largest stand of mature live oaks. This grove includes a grand oak that dates back nearly 800 years! Although this fact alone qualifies City Park as a veritable treasure, there are many other reasons why we should cherish and care for our urban park.

Urban parks play a fundamental role in a city’s economic and community development. Livable cities must be able to support vibrant populations and highly skilled workforces in order to compete with the global marketplace. Highly talented individuals are naturally interested and attracted to places that offer economic opportunities and diverse amenities that contribute to a superior quality of life.

An essential amenity to a livable city includes a network of green areas and parks. This contributes to a healthy environment, economic growth, and community cohesion.

From an environmental perspective, unpaved grounds have the capacity to absorb water. Considering that our city receives at least 60 inches of rain every year, having the right green infrastructure to manage water is fundamentally important.

In terms of social development, parks offer the amenities that contribute to an excellent quality of life. A well-maintained and properly designed network of green spaces is part of a core strategy to attract and retain a strong workforce and encourage future investment.

Green areas are also a place where members of our community come together for inclusive interaction, recreation, and physical activity. These areas stimulate healthy development in our children and the city’s youth by providing them with sufficient and adequate space for play and expression.

Additionally, through recreation and interaction with nature, people of all ages can participate in the many aspects of civic involvement.

City Park offers the opportunity to host many of our city´s legendary events including the Voodoo Music + Arts Experience, also known as Voodoo Fest.

These events help preserve the unique character and culture of our city and further provide a boost to the economy by bringing thousands of visitors to our area each year. Festivals generally produce millions of dollars in income, including tax revenues for the City and State.

Not every community enjoys the privilege of having a treasure like City Park—yet another reason why New Orleans is such wonderful place to live! Until next time!

Celebrating Women in Business & Promoting Gender Equality

Celebrating Women in Business & Promoting Gender Equality

By Alejandra Guzman

Click aqui para español- >Celebrando a las profesionales y promoviendo la equidad de género.

Even though there is an increased awareness of the hardships that female professionals have dealt with and overcome, there is a lot more work to be done. Traditional and cultural ideas of femininity have deeply influenced how women are treated and viewed which is an unfortunate worldwide reality.

Perceptions and expectations, amongst other factors, make it hard for female professionals to advance in their careers and acquire an active participation in different roles of public life. With a lack of female representation, it is hard for younger generations to imagine and visualize their possibilities.

To overcome these challenges, it is crucial to propagate success stories of women in business and to celebrate these successes, achieved both in business and society, and to highlight emerging female role models. It is quite challenging to imagine something that you have never seen. Seeing women achieve amazing life goals serves as inspiration, motivation, and as a reminder that you can get there too!

Increased visibility of successful women in business also helps raise awareness of many issues that need to be solved, paving the way to female success. I had the honor of participating in the Stevie Awards for Women in Business. This event, set in New York, honored women executives, entrepreneurs, employees, and the companies they run worldwide. The awards were presented to winners during a dinner event with more than 550 people in attendance.

This year marked the 15th Anniversary of the Stevie Awards and the inauguration of the Women Future Conference preceding the award ceremony. It was an entire day of celebrating the achievements of working women around the world. I was inspired to meet successful women from Jordan, Malaysia, Canada, Mexico and many other countries. Events like the Stevie Awards are important to promote women empowerment and introduce female role models to our community. We need to do more. We must develop innovative and inclusive approaches to attain gender equality in all aspects of society.

We must tackle common barriers collectively to progress in business and society: We must endeavor to achieve equal pay, equality, diversity in senior representation, safety for students and faculty on campus, advocating for, defending, demanding, and succeeding in STEM Education, and sensitizing organizations guilty of unconscious bias. Until next time!

Culture as a Pathway to Fortify the Social Fabric of Our Cities

Culture as a Pathway to Fortify the Social Fabric of Our Cities.

By Alejandra Guzman

Click aqui para español- >La cultura como un camino para fortalecer el tejido social de nuestras ciudades

There is a lot to say about culture and how it builds strong communities. Culture plays an important part in the rejuvenation of cities and the process of transforming the ordinary into extraordinary. Culture also creates a sense of belonging and pride within a community.

New Orleans is the example of a unique American city that has emerged from a cross-pollination of multiple cultures to create its own. The manifestations of the culture of New Orleans can be appreciated in buildings and public spaces, music and dance, social traditions and cuisine. Residents of this town feel proud to be part of such a unique city, and why shouldn’t we, if there is so much we can be proud of?

There is no other city that can claim to have given birth to jazz and get recognized as the bounce capital of the world. For centuries, New Orleans artists have captivated the nation and the world with different forms of art. Contemporary examples of cultural ambassadors include musician, band leader and TV personality Jon Batiste and visual artist and muralist Brandan Odums “BMike.” Batiste has performed with important artists such as Stevie Wonder and Prince. He also appears with his band, Stay Human, on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

New Orleans is lucky enough to have more than one talented member in the Batiste family. Paul Batiste, for example, founded the Batiste Brothers Band and is also a guitarist, producer and songwriter. Paul Batiste’s passion for continuing a music tradition in New Orleans by teaching music is admirable. His experience in education and entertainment business spans for 40 years. Recently, Batiste provided a testimony on what it meant for him to be an educator. He very eloquently explained that beyond music, he is “providing young people with a sense of belonging and pride through culture.”

BMike is also using art as a tool to create cultural identity and belonging. He has not only transformed blighted spaces in New Orleans through powerful art but has also dressed historic landmarks with culturally relevant murals. Furthermore, he has created “Studio Be,” a space which has gained significant attention with its huge murals depicting issues such as civil rights. It is common to visit the studio and find young students touring around and learning powerful stories through Odums’ art.

Fortifying our social fabric through culture is part of the activities that The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has recognized as a strategy for sustainable urban development and Batiste and Odums are doing just that in a very organic and honest way. UNESCO has created its Creative Cities Network (UCCN) to promote cooperation with and among cities that have identified and valued creativity as a strategic part of their development.

By joining this network, cities commit to sharing best practices and developing partnerships with civil society as well as in the public and private sectors. The application for cities to be part of this network will open in 2019, and hopefully, we will see New Orleans become part of this group.

In the meantime, we should celebrate and support the members of our community who are already embracing culture as a pathway to fortify the social fabric of our city.

Until next time!

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion As a Strategy for Growth

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion As a Strategy for Growth

Click aqui para español- >Diversidad, igualdad e inclusión como estrategía de crecimiento

There is plenty of evidence that communities that embrace diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) perform much better than those which do not. As the United States becomes a minority majority country, being able to be inclusive will be fundamental for the prosperity of our nation. Earlier this year the Brookings Institute released research results stating that economic inclusion may be the key to lasting growth and prosperity. Their publication shows that the relationship of growth and prosperity to inclusion grows larger and stronger over time.

To advance in DEI, it is important that we embrace changes at an individual level but most importantly that we change organizations and ultimately systems. Understanding the underlying cause of the lack of diversity and then acting upon it is key.

I belong to organizations where we have looked at our teams and realized the executive team members and leadership are not representative of the communities we serve. Intentionality becomes relevant in these situations, so in some instances, we have slightly changed procedures to guarantee we truly embrace DEI.

New Orleans has the fortune of being home to organizations that understand the need for diversity, equity and inclusion. These organizations also help others achieve their goals in this regard. Founded in 2017, Beloved Community is a New Orleans based organization committed to building a new ecosystem that can sustain equitable, diverse schools, businesses and neighborhoods. Their name is inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. teachings. He promoted the concept of inclusiveness, both economically and socially, through the notion of the “Beloved Community.” He stated that achieving economic and social justice is necessary for a healthy society.

In their first year of operation they have reached more than 1,575 students, over 170 school faculty, and more than 2,000 youth. Beloved Community has helped multiple organizations obtain a budget increase allocated to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

Beloved Community is building a diverse voice in local leadership across education, housing, and the corporate sectors. They are devoted to making sure that the commitment to real solutions to support DEI remains long after any individual leader, local legislation, or funding stream is gone. Most importantly, they are true believers that people change systems, which is why they offer capacity building programs to support, build and sustain the path for growth. You can find more about their services at wearebeloved.org.

Until next time!

Dialogue as a Tool for Economic Progress

Dialogue as a Tool for Economic Progress

By Alejandra Guzman

Click aqui para español->El dialogo como herramienta para el progreso económico

Too many, if not every economic and social issue of our time, is multidimensional in nature. This requires that those leaders that attempt to solve them are open to dialogue and to understanding different points of views. Many organizations, including the Aspen Institute recognize this. This organization is dedicated to foster a good society and bring people together to promote dialogue and exchange of ideas. This is done through different programs including the Socrates Salon. Named after the Socratic method of discussion, participants of this program go through expert moderated dialogue and are able to discover their beliefs about specific topics and understand the position of others.

Recognizing the value of this program, the New Orleans Business Alliance (NOLABA) partnered with the Aspen Institute Socrates Program to co-host a Socrates Salon “The Future of Work and Learning” on October 11-12th. Together they will bring expert leaders to explore how emerging technology trends are impacting education, business and society.

This topic was selected considering that in the last decades technology has dramatically and very quickly changed the way people live, work, and learn all over the world. With this we have also seen challenges around public policy, education, and workforce. At the same time, it is important to recognize that innovation around technology is what is driving many economies' future growth.

Overall it is important for every community to consider the opportunities and challenges presented by an increasingly digital world. Also, leaders need to be thoughtful about how to embrace the benefits that come with new technology while making sure communities stay true to their culture and offers opportunities for all.

New Orleans is no stranger to technology related growth. Our city has increasingly been recognized as one that is home to creators and technology companies such as DXC Technology. Other companies that have chosen our city include Accruent, GE Digital, IBM, Align, and iMerit. This makes New Orleans a great location for the Salon “The Future of Work and Learning” this October. The Salon will examine the ways this city has reinvented itself to welcome inclusive technology companies, entrepreneurship and innovation while being intentional to stay true to its history, culture and people. The moderation will be led by Dr. Connie Yowel, CEO of Collective Shifts, a former policy analyst for the U.S. Department of Education during Bill Clinton´s administration and a former associate professor at the University of Illinois. 


I’m excited that New Orleans will be host of this event and that as a community we have recognized the value of dialogue as a tool for economic progress. Until next time!

FORWARD Symposium

FORWARD Symposium: Enabling an environmentally and socially responsible, healthy and prosperous Louisiana for all.

By Alejandra Guzman

Click aqui para español->FORWARD Symposium

The economic and social success of our community is dependent upon how well we can create balance and promote sustainable practices in the business and public sectors, education, and society in general. To achieve this, we must rely on a foundation of awareness and education on the matter.

Organizations around the world, such as U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), are taking a leading role in these efforts. This organization with an international footprint promotes a movement of community leaders, professionals, businesses and innovators working to accomplish healthy, efficient communities, and to develop equitable buildings.

I have the honor of serving as a board member for the USGBC Louisiana chapter. Our group´s mission is to transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated, enabling an environmentally and socially responsible, healthy and prosperous Louisiana for all.

One of our signature programs is the FORWARD Symposium and for the past three years it has focused on engaging a diverse community of forward thinking leaders who will be key to moving the state towards a more resilient future.

The event is open to USGBC member and non-member business professionals, environmentalists, architects, educators, nonprofit leaders, economic developers, and students. Participants will be able to collaborate and explore what is happening across the state in the subject of sustainability. Among some of the preferred topics for this year will include coastal restoration, LEED for cities, equity as a growth strategy, and healthy communities. Another highlight of the program includes the Women in Sustainability Empower (WISE) Breakfast, which is designed to engage the audience in a robust discussion with prominent female leaders in the field of green building, urban development, community revitalization, and equity and inclusion.

During the symposium participants will also learn about the USGBC Louisiana Green Schools Initiative. This includes a yearly competition in which we encourage schools to undertake a green project to make their school and communities a healthier place to live, learn, and grow. Our objective with this initiative is to bring awareness and educate our youth on the benefits of green building and environmental stewardship by participating in hands-on experimental projects.

During our 2017-2018 cycle, we were able to reach 7,400+ people in 21 parishes and 91 schools across Louisiana. We are excited to continue this work and trust that our programs will help inspire people across our state to act by enabling an environmentally, socially responsible, healthy and prosperous Louisiana for all. To find out more about the FORWARD Symposium visit https://usgbclouisiana.site-ym.com/

 Until next time!

The 3rd Annual FORWARD Symposium will take place on Friday, October 19, 2018 at the Tulane University Lavin-Bernick Center.

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