On April 4, Operation HOPE and the City of Memphis will host a virtual town hall titled "Where Do We Go from Here? The Future of Inclusive Economics – and a New Business Plan for America." This event coincides with the 57th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination. The town hall will bring together thought leaders to discuss strategies for economic inclusivity and opportunity. The event will feature 100 influential figures, including Dr. Bernice A. King, Dr. King’s daughter, and Ambassador Andrew J. Young, as per the City of Memphis announcement.
The National Civil Rights Museum will serve as the backdrop for the event. Memphis Mayor Paul Young, in partnership with John Hope Bryant, founder and CEO of Operation HOPE, emphasized Memphis’ historical role in shaping progress. "Memphis has always been a city of resilience, a city that has shaped history and pushed for progress. It is only fitting that our city and the National Civil Rights Museum be homebase for this powerful conversation and the action it will spark," said Mayor Young, in the same announcement. "This day isn’t just about dialogue; it’s about forward motion. We are here to chart a course toward an inclusive economy that ensures every Memphian, and every American, has access to opportunity and prosperity," he added.
The forum is inspired by Dr. King’s Poor People’s Campaign, which aimed for economic justice and remains unfinished. John Hope Bryant plans to steer the conversation toward addressing current economic challenges. "Dr. King’s Poor People’s Campaign was an economic justice movement that remains unfinished, and this gathering will build on his work in a modern context," Bryant said in a statement from the City of Memphis release.
Notable participants include Thasunda Brown Duckett, CEO of TIAA; Harley Finkelstein, President of Shopify; Bishop T.D. Jakes; Steve Steinour, CEO of Huntington Bancshares; Ray McGuire, President of Lazard; commentator Van Jones; radio host Charlamagne tha God; Grammy-winning rapper Killer Mike; and Dr. Richard Phillips, Dean of the Robinson School of Business at Georgia State University. Dr. Bernice A. King and Ambassador Andrew J. Young will also join the discussion, linking the conversation to civil rights leadership.
The town hall will be streamed on Operation HOPE’s YouTube channel, @OperationhopeOrg. Operation HOPE has served over 4 million people since its founding in 1992, working to combat poverty and promote financial empowerment. For more information, visit the Operation HOPE website.
