Using Social Innovation to Drive Community Revitalization

Valerie F. Leonard
Published: December 16, 2016

Attorney Marc J. Lane, Vice Chairman of the Cook County Commission on Social Innovation, will be a guest on the Nonprofit “U” radio blog talk show on Monday, December 19, 2016, from 2:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Nonprofit "U" is a forum where nonprofit stakeholders can discuss the latest developments in the sector and increase their capacity to serve their clients and build sustainable communities. Valerie F. Leonard, an expert in community and organizational development, is the host. The show will stream live from BlogTalkRadio.com/nonprofit_u.

The Cook County Commission on Social Innovation was established by ordinance on April 12, 2016, with Commissioner Jesús "Chuy" García as the chief sponsor. The Commission, comprised of thought leaders in the non-profit, government, and private sectors, uses data-driven strategies to drive social change through job creation and workforce development, entrepreneurship, community revitalization and industrial development. Lane will provide an update of the Commission’s work; compare and contrast social innovation and social entrepreneurship and share innovative strategies for social change.

"The Commission's mandate is to make actionable policy recommendations to strengthen the capacity of the inner city and the Southland and, generally, of the County to work cooperatively with relevant stakeholders to create, scale, and sustain innovative social programs; to build the capacity of nonprofit organizations and government to pursue entrepreneurial ventures in the inner city and the Southland and in the County; and to attract investment and philanthropic funding to the inner city and the Southland and to the County to support these ventures", Lane said.

Keywords: Attorney Marc J. Lane, Capacity Building, Community Development, Cook County Commission on Social Innovation, Nonprofit "U", Valerie F. Leonard