MLK Would Support Obama’s JOBS Act
MLK WOULD SUPPORT OBAMA’S JOBS ACT By Mike Green April 16, 2012 On April 4, 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated — just a few weeks before he was to travel to Washington D.C. with the intent of excoriating a stagnant nation over the issue of the American economy (see video). On April 5, 2012, the most powerful Black man in the world, President Barack Obama, signed into law the historic JOBS Act and opened an unprecedented economic... Read More
Why aren’t Black media talking about JOBS?
By Mike Green April 7, 2012 President Obama signed into law the JOBS Act (Jumpstart Our Business Startups) on April 5, 2012. The historic law slightly alters the economic game across America that has long been tilted in favor of the wealthy. The new law opens the field of investing in high-growth startups and allows access for millions of Americans who do not meet the previous standard of $1M net worth and a minimum of $200K in new income — a standard... Read More
America21 Helps Homewood in Pittsburgh
Photos by Mike Green Homewood-Bound America21 traveled to the community of Homewood in Pittsburgh, PA to deliver a message of economic strategy and hope on March 14. Pittsburgh’s Urban Innovation21 invited America21 to speak to Homewood residents alongside urban renewal, education and business leaders. We divided our presentations between the three co-founders, Chad, Mike and Johnathan. America21 Envisions Prosperous Homewood Johnathan... Read More
A21 speaks at White House on Inclusive Competitiveness
CLEVELAND, OH: On March 9, the White House will host a gathering of business leaders for a day of exchanging ideas on economic development, innovation and job creation. The America21 Project will address the issue of “inclusive competitiveness.” Inclusive Competitiveness Johnathan M. Holifield, Co-founder and Chief Evangelist for The America21 Project (America21) will join senior Obama Administration officials and fellow business... Read More
Mike Green shares economic dream on MLK Day 2012
Around a thousand people gathered today at the Oregon Convention Center for The Skanner newspaper’s 26th Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast. The guests of honor included Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., and Patrick Quinton, executive director of the Portland Development Commission. Keynote speaker was Mike Green … Photo by Cornelius Swart The article written by Cornelius Swart and published in the Oregonian... Read More
Angel investors invited to urban innovation summit
The America21 Project in partnership with The Center for Urban Entrepreneurship & Economic Development (CUEED) at Rutgers University presents … A Gathering of Angels A National Summit on Building 21st Century Urban Innovation Ecosystems: Connecting Capital and High Growth Entrepreneurs November 15-16, 2011 Rutgers Business School – Newark Campus The Center for Urban Entrepreneurship & Economic Development (CUEED) REGISTER... Read More
U.S. Innovation and Competiveness Strategy: ‘All Hands On Deck’
Okay, I’ve never been shy about contributing my ideas on myriad social, educational and economic matters, through written public commentary, in appearances before legislative bodies, during one-on-one or community roundtable discussions or even in town hall-style settings. In fact, I have to say that throughout my life and career, I’ve been close to fearless when it comes to expressing my ideas on these topics. In the countless instances where... Read More
Good news for Innovators: Venture Capital is Back!
(Image: U.S. Treasury Access to Capital Conference Presentation) Policy-makers, economists, investors, economic developers and I have lamented for the past few years the fact that private sector capital had not yet gotten back into the game. The good news for innovators is that in 2010, the venture capital (VC) sector came roaring back, putting $26.2 billion into 2,799 venture deals, a spike of 11 percent from 2009 and a major sign that formerly... Read More
Wanted: 21st Century Trim Tabbers
My philosophy of community economic development, especially development aimed at increasing innovation and competitiveness, focuses substantially more on process, than it does on content. Informed by extensive experience, I have found that superior leaders and organizations master the processes of community economic development leadership first, and then successfully deploy those processes into multiple kinds of community economic development... Read More
Innovation Future: 8 Practical Steps for City Leaders
America’s Innovation Economy is clustered in urban, central city areas throughout the nation. The locational preferences of American innovators, driven by the financial, business, research and education assets contained in urban communities, strongly suggest the need for a new urban public policy agenda. The new agenda should have a single central and overarching goal – connecting urban dwellers, especially Black Americans, to the Innovation... Read More
Innovation Economy: Making the invisible visible
Over the course of our history, America has experienced three major economic eras — agrarian, industrial and innovation. Prosperity and opportunity in the first two eras was highly visible and plain to any observer. The third and current era, however, can be invisible to those who are not connected to it. And that invisibility is crippling the economic prospects for Black America. Here’s what I mean: Agrarian Economy: From the early days... Read More
High-Growth Entrepreneurs are America’s Solution to the ‘Jobless Recovery’
It seems our elected officials – on both sides of the aisle – are playing a game of chicken and we, average Americans, are caught in the middle. So, you say, “what’s new?” Well, what’s new is that this particular game is especially pernicious, as no one seems to have the political courage or will to tell us the truth about the economy. And in this case, what you don’t know will surely and severely disadvantage you. I have little doubt... Read More
President Obama’s Economic Imperative: Reclaiming our Innovation Nation
As President Barack Obama addresses the nation with a focus on 21st century economic imperatives, the Black Innovation and Competitiveness Initiative welcomes this spotlight upon what we call the 21st century “Innovation Economy.” “To thrive in the current Innovation Economy, which is marked by radical socioeconomic changes brought about by the globalization of commerce, democratization of information, exponential growth of entrepreneurship... Read More
The Root of Innovation is STEM Education
Recently, much has been written about the need for a greater emphasis on science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM education, and how that is linked to our national priority – innovation and competitiveness. President Obama and U.S. Department of Education Secretary Duncan, along with leadership from both public and private sectors have effectively made the case for increased investments, performance and outcomes with regards to... Read More
21st Century Cornerstones: Innovation and Competitiveness
From the land between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers to Silicon Valley, today’s Innovation Economy represents the most democratic, egalitarian and meritocracy driven economic period in the long march of human commerce. And we, Black Americans, must take our rightful place as significant contributors to it, so we may equitably gain from it. Innovation and competitiveness, the cornerstones of the 21st century economy, are essential ingredients for... Read More
The Black Innovation Challenge
America faces serious challenges in the 21st century. Our nation’s ability to compete and the vitality of the American economy depend upon our ability to innovate and successfully bring new ideas to market. In an increasingly complex and globalized economy where new ideas, sources of innovation and access to capital and talent are readily available elsewhere, we need to strengthen the competitiveness of all our communities. While we fundamentally... Read More
BICI: 21st century approach to 20th century challenges
“We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history there is such a thing as being too late. “Procrastination is still the thief of time. Life often leaves us standing bare, naked and dejected with a lost opportunity. The ‘tide in the affairs of men’ does not remain at the flood; it ebbs. We may cry out desperately... Read More
