EDUCATING POLICYMAKERS & THE PUBLIC

As a majority of California’s population has become non-white, minority-owned enterprises have rapidly surpassed the start-up rate of all businesses, but, they lag in access to capital and sales growth, regardless of ability or market favorability.  Almost half of Latino and African American students are dropping out of high school, while manufacturing, science, technology and trades-based employers face a shortage of qualified workers.  California’s home foreclosure crisis, like the nation’s, has disproportionately devastated the assets of families of color. These realities negatively affect entire regions, strain public systems, and limit job creation and business expansion.  
 
Meanwhile, comprehensive public/private sector efforts to link California’s knowledge-based economy to an urban recovery strategy are either notably inadequate, or absent.
 
Whether it’s on the local, statewide and/or national level, the CUP works to educate and engage policymakers and the public in the delivery of decisions and solutions that can and do work for the benefit of growing the middle class and uplifting low-income people.  This includes elected officials, government regulators and funding entities, as well as leaders in industry, academia and communities.
 
We develop and share knowledge through the review, analysis and production of policy research studies, reports and ideas.  Through our publications, as well as other innovative tools and events, we will highlight community economic development resources, research, legislation, success stories, best practices and opportunities.