Kwame Owusu-Kesse stood on stage at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach, kicking off Power of Place before hundreds of cross-sector leaders, practitioners, and policymakers — a group dedicated to driving social and economic mobility, at scale, for our country’s most vulnerable children and families.
It was the culmination of a vision he and Geoffrey Canada had when, five years earlier, they founded William Julius Wilson Institute (WJWI) at Harlem Children’s Zone (HCZ).
“When we created WJWI, we had this room in mind: a group of leaders coming together with a bold mission to put one million young people on the path to social and economic mobility,” said Mr. Owusu-Kesse, CEO, HCZ and Co-Founder, WJWI. “We are building a field. We are building a movement.”
This movement — one committed to leveraging the power of place to end poverty and empower the success of young people, families, and communities across the nation — had a defining moment at the third annual Power of Place convening.
Driven by the theme, “It Takes a Village,” the convening brought together leaders from over 200 organizations across 37 states for inspirational keynotes, scholar performances, and community building. The convening told a powerful story: when actors across sectors come together to confront systemic challenges, the impact can be transformational.
Keep reading to learn more about the impactful moments that defined Power of Place 2024!
“Who Are You Fighting For?”
Power of Place convening opened with a keynote address by Kwame Owusu-Kesse, who reflected on how his experiences as a father and husband have shaped his role as a leader. He urged attendees to commit to creating the same opportunities for them that they would for their own children.
“Who are you fighting for?” he asked the audience.
As Mr. Owusu-Kesse concluded his remarks, attendees stood and declared, “We are the village.” The moment demonstrated that this movement is not about one individual or organization; it’s about a collective effort — a movement fueled by the shared belief that, together, we can build a brighter future for our children.
Gov. Wes Moore, the ENOUGH Act, and the Power of Place
Last spring, Maryland prioritized the fight against child poverty by introducing the ENOUGH Act — a bill that advances a first-of-its-kind, state-led response to the persistent challenge of child poverty in the state’s most marginalized communities. WJWI played a key role in the passage and implementation of the ENOUGH Act, which will deploy place-based interventions in select neighborhoods across the state and help them secure resources to identify and address the root causes of poverty.
In his keynote address, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore talked about the transformative impact the ENOUGH Grant Program will have on children and families, and its potential to serve as a national model. Additionally, he shared how his journey from a young boy in Baltimore to Governor was shaped by family, mentors, and neighbors — indeed, Moore’s own village.
“The Power of Place isn’t simply about the place you call home,” Moore said. “It’s about what inspires you.”
Secretary of Education, Mayors, and Superintendents Explore Cross-Sector Partnerships
The urgency of this work was amplified by U.S. Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona, who urged leaders to act boldly to ensure access to quality education for all children, no matter their zip code.
“If we’re not going to fight for our kids, who will?” he asked.
Throughout the Power of Place convening, attendees heard from prominent leaders at the local, state, and national levels about the need for cross-sector partnerships and strong education systems.
In the fireside chat, “Mayors in Action: Building Bridges to Mobility Through Place-Based Leadership,” moderated by Tiffany Cross, resident fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School Institute of Politics, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin and former Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter discussed how cities can drive economic mobility. They highlighted that local governments are uniquely positioned to foster cross-sector partnerships to drive real change.
“Cities will be the beacon of hope and light for America,” Mayor Nutter said.
A panel of superintendents who were fellows of WJWI’s 2024 Education Leaders Design Fellowship (ELDF) cohort explored how schools and communities can align resources and build trust to strengthen cradle-to-career strategies. The ELDF — which brought together superintendents and district leaders from 22 school districts across 15 states and serves over 1.4 million students nationwide — equips education leaders with technical support to build place-based partnerships that promote academic achievement and economic mobility in their communities.
Dr. Tony Watlington, Sr. (Philadelphia, PA), Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez (Hartford, CT), and Dr. Marty Pollio (Louisville, KY) spoke to the importance of how uniting education systems with community organizations can provide seamless pathways for students’ success — a powerful blueprint for systemic change.
Centering Youth in the Conversation
Scholars from HCZ’s Promise Academy and Zone Programs delivered compelling keynotes, spoken word, and dance performances, and shared how growing up in HCZ’s cradle-to-career pipeline shaped their lives.
“Thank you, HCZ, for giving me access to education, possibility, and a future I am proud to call my own,” said Lewis, a graduate of HCZ’s Employment and Technology Center who is now a senior at Temple University studying Risk Management.
“My scholarship from HCZ has made a significant difference not only in my life but also in my family’s life,” said Tatiana, an HCZ Promise Academy graduate and sophomore at Stony Brook University on a pre-dental track.
This theme was carried into a panel discussion featuring former participants from Orlando Kidz Zone, a program inspired by HCZ’s model. Now leaders in their community, the panelists shared how their experiences as young participants empowered them to become advocates for change in their neighborhoods.
Honoring Dreama Gentry, a Pioneer in the Field
WJWI presented its 2024 Founding Trailblazer Award to Dreama Gentry, Founder, President, and CEO of Partners for Rural Impact. For over 25 years, Gentry has led a cradle-to-career model to transform rural communities across the country.
“When I met Geoffrey Canada, I realized that even though I was in rural Kentucky, we were doing the same work,” Gentry recalled during her first meeting with the HCZ President and Founder. “The problems are the same. Having us all together — doing this work together — is so powerful.”
Gentry’s work has impacted countless children and families, underscoring that place-based strategies are just as critical in rural America.
Closing the Wealth Gap
In their panel discussion, Mr. Owusu-Kesse, along with Ilham Askia, President & CEO of the East Lake Foundation, and Sondra Samuels, CEO of Northside Achievement Zone, discussed lessons learned from implementing Wealth Builds — HCZ’s bold initiative to end intergenerational poverty and close the wealth gap by empowering young people and families with the education and resources to build successful financial futures.
Achieving this goal requires an ecosystem of support, including financial literacy, asset boosts, and neighborhood-driven support systems.
“It’s not just about access to education; it’s about access to wealth and financial independence,” Mr. Owusu-Kesse said.
“Our Love Keeps Us Fighting”
In the closing keynote of Power of Place convening, Christian Rhodes, Deputy Executive Director, WJWI, issued a call to action.
“Our kids need strong soldiers. If you have even a little bit of strength and power, I’m so happy to be in this army with you,” he said, before introducing Geoffrey Canada, President and Founder, HCZ and Founder, WJWI.
Mr. Canada closed Power of Place with a stirring address about the commitment needed to fight for children and families.
“You can lose a battle, but I’ve never lost a war,” he said. “Our love keeps us fighting. The work we are doing will save this country.”
Mr. Canada’s words resonated throughout the room, underscoring that a community united in love and purpose is critical to overcoming the challenges ahead.