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The OpportUNITY Summit returns!

Join local and national thought-leaders, changemakers, practitioners, and others committed to creating positive, lasting change. 

Great ideas and grand visions are fleeting without tenacity and commitment. But meaningful change is possible when people persevere in the face of adversity.Transformation takes time, but undeterred, we stay with the vision.

Can we count you in?

Hear from Mayor Cherelle Parker, Xavier McElrath-Bey, Carla Javits, and others to deepen your understanding of poverty and explore proven approaches to expanding opportunity. 

To build a better, stronger future for all people, families, and communities, it takes focus. And it takes us all. 

 

REGISTER TODAY

 

 

WHEN

Wednesday, May 22nd 
8:00am – 12:30pm

WHERE

Vie (600 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia)

AGENDA

8:00 am — 9:00 am: Registration & Breakfast 

9:00 am — 12:15 pm: Programming 

12:15 pm — 12:30 pm: Closing Remarks

 

sessions

Fireside Chat with Mayor Cherelle L. Parker and Rev. Dr. Alyn Waller 

Mayor Cherelle L. Parker was elected as the 100th mayor of Philadelphia and is the first woman to hold the office. In conversation with Rev. Dr. Alyn Waller, Mayor Parker will talk about her professional journey and how, in the face of so many competing and urgent priorities, she stays focused on the goals and vision to achieve a Safer, Cleaner, Greener Philadelphia, with economic opportunity for all.  

In Conversation with Carla Javits and Omar Woodard  

What does it take to grow a movement? Carla Javits will discuss REDF’s pioneering venture philanthropy work, which galvanized a national movement of social enterprises—purpose-driven, revenue-generating businesses—that help people overcome employment barriers and build better lives. In conversation with Omar Woodard, Carla will discuss lessons learned on what it takes to stay true to the vision to create an investment model supporting 100,000 people and earning $2B in revenues. 

‘My Inspirement’ with Danielle Cohn and David Brown  

No matter how you contribute to your company or organization, or where you are in your vision or career, this session will encourage self-reflection and deepen your community connections. Co-facilitated by Danielle Cohn, Founder and Chief Inspiration Officer, My Inspirement, and David Brown, Assistant Dean of Community and Communication, Klein College, Temple University, this session will teach you practices to help design your best life’s work. This workshop will inspire you to action, whether by challenging your status quo, shining a light on your value and potential, or untapping what fuels your soul.   

Keynote Address with Xavier McElrath-Bey 

Xavier McElrath-Bey will share his personal story of transformation and perseverance in the face of immense challenges. At the age of 13, Xavier was sentenced to 25 years in prison for a gang-related murder. After serving 13 years in prison, he came out with a remorseful heart, a bachelor’s degree, and a mission to advocate for poor, disadvantaged, and at-risk youth. Learn how Xavier found the inspiration to put his remorse into action and work to help children like him. 

 

 

SPEAKERS

Xavier McElrath-Bey
Executive Director,  Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth

 

Mayor Cherelle L. Parker 
Mayor, City of Philadelphia 

 

Reverend Dr. Alyn E. Waller 
Senior Pastor, Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church 

 

Carla Javits
Senior Advisor & Former CEO and President, REDF

 

Omar Woodard 
Executive Director, HRS Management

 

Danielle Cohn
Founder and Chief Inspiration Officer, My Inspirement

 

David Brown 
Assistant Dean of Community and Communication, Klein College, Temple University

 

REGISTER TODAY

SPONSORS

 

CONVENING SPONSORS

Holman  |  M&T Bank |  PNC Bank

 

COMMUNITY CHAMPION SPONSORS

Connelly Foundation  |  Deloitte  |  Glenmede  |  Salveson Leadership Advisors

 

Handraiser SPONSORS

BDO USA, P.C.  |  Essential Utilities  |  EY  |  Guidehouse  |  Hilco Redevelopment Partners  |  Royer Cooper Cohen Braunfeld  |  WSFS

SPONSOR THE SUMMIT

Sponsoring the Summit is an exciting opportunity to invest directly in your community and promote your organization’s commitment to fighting poverty.

The OpportUNITY Summit, now in its third year, will welcome hundreds of guests, the region’s most inspiring leaders, and national experts to explore solutions to end poverty and expand opportunity for all.

Click here to learn more!

All sponsorship proceeds go directly to United Way’s mission to end poverty and expand opportunity for all.

Thanks to a generous donor, this year’s Summit costs are fully covered. That means all sponsorship proceeds will go directly to United Way’s Partnership Grant Program (PGP), which supports 100 poverty-fighting nonprofits throughout our region.

Following the program, United Way will host a private luncheon for the leaders of PGP Community Partners.

PARNTERSHIP GRANT RECIPIENTS

ACHIEVEability | ACLAMO | Affordable Housing Centers of Pennsylvania | African Family Health Organization (AFAHO) | Along the Way | Attic Youth Center | BCDI – Philadelphia & Vicinity | Bebashi Transition to Hope | Believe in Students | Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence | Big Brothers Big Sisters of Atlantic & Cape May Counties | Boys & Girls Club of Chester | Broad Street Ministry | Burlington Community Action Partnership, Inc. | Cambodian Association of Greater Philadelphia | Campaign for Working Families, Inc. | Cape Assist | Cape May Community Food Closet | Catholic Partnership Schools Camden NJ | Ceiba | Centro de Apoyo Comunitario | Chester Education Foundation | Children First PA | Children’s Village | Coded by Kids | Community FoodBank of New Jersey | Compass Working Capital | Consumer Bankruptcy Assistance Project | Clarifi | College Together | Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for Children of Atlantic, Cape May, and Camden Counties | Cross County Connection Transportation Management Association (CCCTMA) | Cumberland County Habitat for Humanity, Inc. | Cumberland Empowerment Zone Corporation | Educating Communities for Parenting | Entrepreneurs of the Future | FathersRead365 | Financial Wellness Institute | First Step Staffing | First Up | Food Bank of South Jersey, Inc. | Friends Association for the Care and Protection of Children | Graduate Philadelphia | Greater Harleysville and North Penn Senior Services | Habitat for Humanity of South Central New Jersey | Haitian American Caucus (HAC) | HIAS PA | Holly City Development Corporation | Homeless Advocacy Project | HopePHL | Hopeworks Camden | I-LEAD, Inc. | Jewish Family Service of Atlantic and Cape May Counties | Latin American Economic Development Association, Inc. | Making a Change Group | Manna on Main Street | Maternal and Child Health Consortium | Media Fellowship House | MudGirls Studios | Multicultural Community Family Services Inc. | Murphy’s Giving Market | Neighbors Helping Neighbors on the Main Line | New Kensington Community Development Corporation | Newfound RiseUp Fund | Nueva Esperanza, Inc. | One Accord Inc. T/A Kids Alley | Open Hearth, Inc. | Opportunities Industrialization Center Inc | ParentChild+ Philadelphia | Parkside Business & Community In Partnership, Inc. | Pathways to Housing PA | Penn Asian Senior Services | Pennsylvania Horticultural Society | People Advancing Reintegration | Philabundance | Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations | Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation | Public Interest Law Center | Reading Allowed | Revive South Jersey | Saint Joseph’s Carpenter Society | SEAMAAC | Share Food Program | Social Responsibility Through Me | The Arc of Cumberland County | The Center for Black Educator Development | The Father Center of New Jersey | The Foundation for Delaware County | The Heart of Camden, Inc. | The Merchants Fund | University City Science Center | UrbanPromise Ministries, Inc. | VestedIn | Veterans Multi-Service Center | Why Not Prosper Inc. | Williamson College of the Trades | Women’s Opportunities Resource Center | Wonderspring | YWCA Tri-County Area

REVISIT PAST SUMMITS

Throughout our history, United Way has brought people together to strengthen communities.

Look back at past OpportUNITY Summits when hundreds of business, civic, and community leaders gathered for a day of learning, connection, and action.

2023: Collaboration is key

2022: A Legacy of 100 Years

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