On Thursday, October 20, 2022, Business Forward co-hosted the Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships’ first National Summit at the U.S. Department of Commerce. The in-person and livestreamed summit featured nearly 200 attendees and Commerce officials.

The summit convened local business, community-based, and faith-based leaders to discuss the wide range of resources, training, and data innovation available to communities through the Department and the Inflation Reduction Act, CHIPS and Science Act, and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Speakers included Secretary Gina M. Raimondo; Deputy Secretary Don Graves; Under Secretary for Minority Business Development Donald R. Cravins Jr., and Under Secretary for Economic Affairs Jed Kolko. Participants asked questions and provided feedback during breakout sessions on high-speed internet, community data/patent, minority business grants, and climate resilience. 

As a national co-host, Business Forward convenes stakeholder meetings with the Department of Commerce’s thirteen bureaus, faith, business, and community leaders across the country.

To learn more, watch the National Summit livestream here: Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships National Summit.