This workshop will address the critical issue of Black maternal health disparities in the U.S., focusing on Maryland. Participants will explore the systemic factors contributing to the higher maternal mortality rates among Black women and discuss strategies for advancing health equity. Health professionals, policymakers, and community advocates will engage in dialogue on culturally competent care, access to quality healthcare, and the role of public policy in supporting better outcomes for Black mothers. Attendees will leave with actionable steps to promote maternal health equity and improve healthcare services for Black women.

In light of current political and legal challenges, this workshop will focus on strategies to safeguard diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in small businesses, particularly around supplier diversity programs. Participants will explore the essential role of race-conscious business programs in driving economic growth and inclusion for Black and Latino communities. Attendees will learn about best practices for supporting DEI in procurement and how businesses can protect and expand race-based initiatives to ensure fair access for minority entrepreneurs and suppliers.

This session will explore how equitable access to education is essential for economic empowerment, focusing on the full educational spectrum—from early childhood to postsecondary opportunities. The workshop will highlight strategies for closing opportunity gaps that disproportionately affect Black students, including access to quality Pre-K, K-12 resources, and higher education pathways. Special attention will be given to the role of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), including the resources needed to support their research expansion and innovation efforts.

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Participants will discuss how schools, communities, and policymakers can collaborate to create stronger, continuous pipelines that lead to long-term economic mobility. The session will also explore the critical role of equitable policy reforms and community-driven initiatives in ensuring that future generations have the tools needed to succeed academically and economically.

This workshop will tackle the systemic barriers to Black homeownership, with a focus on combating appraisal bias and discriminatory lending practices. Participants will examine the historical context of housing inequities and discuss actionable policies and community-based solutions to increase Black homeownership rates.

Topics include reforming appraisal standards, expanding access to capital, and creating pathways for sustainable homeownership to build generational wealth.

This session will explore the alarming rates of incarceration within Maryland's Black communities and their impact on economic mobility. Maryland has one of the highest Black incarceration rates in the nation, a challenge that both deepens and perpetuates disparities in public safety, economic opportunities, and community well-being. This workshop will examine key drivers of these disparities, including systemic racial biases in policing, sentencing, and access to legal resources.

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We will also discuss proven strategies to address these inequities, such as criminal justice reform, diversion programs, community investment, and workforce development initiatives tailored to formerly incarcerated individuals. Participants will hear from experts, advocates, and policymakers dedicated to reducing incarceration rates and creating sustainable economic opportunities for Maryland's Black communities. Join us for a powerful discussion on reimagining public safety and creating pathways for economic success for all.

This session will focus on the intersection of environmental justice and economic inclusion, specifically in relation to Maryland’s infrastructure projects. Participants will explore the importance of ensuring equitable access to renewable energy projects as a way to foster economic growth in both urban and rural communities. A critical aspect of the discussion will be the rising burden of high energy bills, which disproportionately impacts low-income and marginalized communities. By addressing this issue through investments in clean, renewable energy, we can help lower costs for families while promoting sustainability.

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The workshop will also highlight the essential role of connectivity in ensuring that all communities, especially underserved and marginalized ones, can fully benefit from renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure development. From policy reforms to community-led projects, we’ll explore solutions that promote environmental justice while reducing energy burdens and improving economic opportunities for all.