Upswell Session presented by:

• Angelique Albert (Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes), Chief Executive Officer, Native Forward Scholars Fund
• Noël Harmon, President and Executive Director, Asian Pacific Islander American Scholars
• Shantae Joseph, Senior Vice President, Wells Fargo

Investing in young people is vital to increase economic mobility and build an economy centered on equity, justice, inclusion, and impact. By helping to fund the education of today’s under-resourced students, philanthropic organizations and corporations can champion visibility and increase representation in the workforce, paving the way for a diverse generation of leaders.

This discussion will examine the history of how certain populations have been locked out of professional opportunities, comparing employment data for those with and without higher education, illustrating the life-changing impact of helping underserved young people pay for college. We will address how nonprofits, funders, corporations, and allies can dramatically increase the economic well-being and impact of historically disenfranchised communities, including the Native and Indigenous community; reduce the generational economic harm caused by inequitable economic, academic, and social policies; and enhance their ability to break cycles and build new futures.