JSMF President and CEO Dr. Jason Q. Purnell talks with JSMF Vice Chair and former Chair John McDonnell about the Foundation’s decision to shift its mission to focus solely on St. Louis.

They also discuss JSMF’s largest St. Louis investment to date, the Inclusive Prosperity Partnership (IPP). The IPP is a 10-year, $161M initiative that supports the collaboration needed to co-design solutions that will unlock economic opportunity for more St. Louis residents and provide substantial financial support to make those solutions a reality.

Keywords

St. Louis, economic mobility, inclusive prosperity, community collaboration, James S. McDonnell Foundation, regional development, shared metrics, social impact, leadership, economic growth

Key Topics

Inclusive Prosperity Partnership (IPP)

Regional collaboration and shared metrics

Leadership and teamwork in economic development

Community engagement and inclusivity in growth strategies

Guest

John McDonnell

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:59 Foundation's Shift in Focus

05:04 Economic Development vs. Charity

06:32 Teamwork and Community Engagement

08:46 Importance of Metrics and Accountability

09:31 Inclusivity: A New Vision for St. Louis

15:29 Empowering Voices: The Role of Collaboration

15:29 Learning from Experience: Leadership Insights

18:18 A Hopeful Future: Building a Thriving St. Louis

22:53 The Power of Collective Efforts

· Inclusive Prosperity Partnership (IPP)

· James S. McDonnell Foundation

JSMF President and CEO Jason Q. Purnell and Emerging Wisdom's Rebeccah Bennett discuss how St. Louis can harness the cooperation the region has demonstrated during crises to tackle economic challenges that see less publicity but still demand urgent attention.
Bennett serves as a facilitator for the Inclusive Prosperity Partnership, where this kind of collaborative muscle is being developed among people from a variety of backgrounds and walks of life.

The conversation explores the connection between cooperation and relationships, emphasizing the idea that we are all connected. It delves into the significance of cooperation in reinforcing relationships and highlights the importance of relationships in driving human behavior.

Takeaways

• Cooperation reinforces relationships
• We are all connected
• How St. Louis can maintain the level of collaboration and shared responsibility after a crisis when the cameras leave and headlines fade.

The conversation explores the transformation of economic mobility outcomes in Charlotte and the lessons that St. Louis can learn from this region's success. It delves into the wake-up call that Charlotte received, the formation of the task force, the establishment of Leading on Opportunity, and the challenges and strategies for community engagement and leadership representation. The conversation explores the evolution of economic mobility in Charlotte, emphasizing the city's growth, collaborative efforts, and long-term commitment to progress. It also delves into the development and use of the Opportunity Compass as a tool for accountability and civic imagination. The discussion highlights the importance of effective data utilization and communication in driving positive change.

Takeaways

• Economic mobility transformation in Charlotte
• Community engagement and leadership representation
• Economic mobility requires a long-term commitment and collaborative effort
• The use of data as a tool for accountability and civic imagination is crucial