Dallas selected to participate in program aimed at advancing economic inclusion of immigrants
The City of Dallas Office of Equity and Inclusion, Welcoming Communities and Immigrant Affairs Division (WCIA) and Office of Business and Workforce Inclusion (BWI) have been selected for the Welcoming Economies Grant through Welcoming America. This competitive grant is open to local leaders to advance immigrant inclusion in the implementation of local economic development (or economic inclusion) plans and strategies that focus on entrepreneurship.
As an awardee, WCIA and BWI will receive support from industry leaders to advance local policies, programs, partnerships, and practices that include immigrants as part of their local or regional economic strategy. City employees in these departments will receive training and coaching from subject area experts on immigrant economic inclusion strategies, four virtual peer learning opportunities.
Additionally, the offices will be awarded $5,000 to support initiatives aimed at economically improving the lives of Dallas’ immigrant population. “This grant will help the City of Dallas foster innovation and growth of immigrant-owned and operated businesses,” said Chief of Equity and Inclusion Liz Cedillo-Pereira. “Despite making up 24% of the population, immigrants represented 32.2% of entrepreneurs in Dallas. This initiative aims to build a more resilient and inclusive economy by making City resources and programs more accessible to immigrant entrepreneurs who have been particularly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and Winter Storm Uri.”
The City of Dallas will join four communities selected for the program. The participants were selected based on their demonstrated readiness and ability to spark meaningful change locally. Additional information may be found on Welcoming America’s website.