August 24

AGENDA

Registration & Expo

11:00 AM – 4:45 PM
Stop by the registration desk to pick up your summit badge.

11:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Participate in the Expo, featuring Wells Fargo, NeighborWorks America, LISC, Community Loan Center of America, and Black Squirrel.

Community Recovery After Immigration Enforcement Actions

1:30 – 2:45 PM

Immigration enforcement actions can have ripple effects on families, employers, schools, housing stability, and local economies. Much like other community-wide disruptions, recovery often depends on trusted local institutions and strong partnerships that can help communities regain stability and confidence over time.

This plenary will bring together leaders from Minneapolis, Washington, DC, and Los Angeles to examine how community development organizations and their partners have responded in the weeks and months following major enforcement actions. Speakers will share lessons on recovery, trust-building, cross-sector collaboration, and the long-term work of strengthening community resilience in the face of disruption.

Speakers:​
  • Kari Johnson, Director of State Policy & Field Building, Minnesota Consortium of Community Developers
  • Michael Browning, Convener Facilitator, SECURE CA
  • Steve Glaude​, President/CEO, The Coalition DC
  • Emi Reyes, Chief Executive Officer, Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC)

Lightning Round

3:15 – 4:45 PM

Lightning Session — A Scalable Alternative to Predatory Lending

Learn about a scalable and sustainable alternative to predatory payday and auto-title lending. The Community Loan Center program operates in markets across the country by engaging reputable community-based lenders to provide access to fairly-priced consumer credit. Hear from the person who created this program and find out how you can bring it to your state or region. 

Speaker:
  • Matt Hull, Executive Director, Texas Association of CDCs

Lightning Session — Illinois CRA in Action

Learn how a coalition of nonprofit organizations — co-led by Housing Action Illinois and Woodstock Institute — worked to get the Illinois Community Reinvestment Act passed. Find out about its rules, a companion disparity study bill, and the ongoing ups-and-downs of getting it effectively implemented. This discussion will include suggested strategies and example outreach toolkits to best position your state to do something similar. 

Speaker:

Lightning Session — Level Up Your Network with NeighborWorks Professional Learning

Looking to elevate the skills across your network? Learn how the premier professional learning provider for the community development field can help. Get an overview of NeighborWorks America's full training portfolio — instructor-led courses, online and self-guided learning, webinars, and customized group training designed for teams and member organizations. Find out how to use their professional learning services to increase staff capacity, meet professional development goals, stay current with industry trends, and build stronger, more resilient communities.

Speakers:
  • Paul Singh, Vice President, Community Initiatives, NeighborWorks America
  • Doug Sessions, Senior Vice President, Training, NeighborWorks America

Lightning Round

3:15 – 4:45 PM

Lightning Session — Housing Policy Is Having a Bipartisan Moment

State legislatures across the country are finding new ways to advance housing supply and affordability, often with bipartisan support. Drawing on Pew's latest research, this lightning round will highlight the common principles behind the most successful state housing reforms, the policy changes gaining traction across political divides, and what community development associations can do to help shape the next generation of housing policy in their own states. Participants will leave with practical insights and a framework for advancing housing solutions at the state level.

Speaker:
  • Linlin Liang, Principal Associate, Housing Policy Initiative, Pew Charitable Trusts

Lightning Session — Eight Characteristics of Effective Collaborations

Community development associations and their partners rely on collaboration to accomplish what no organization can do alone. This lightning session introduces eight characteristics of effective collaborations that help partnerships move beyond good intentions to shared action. You'll come away with practical ideas to evaluate, strengthen, and sustain collaborative relationships in their own communities.

Speaker:
  • Bob Zdenek, Interim Executive Director, California Community Economic Development Association

Lightning Session — Small Business Support & Solutions

Speaker:
  • Kevin Williams, Chief Executive Officer, Black Squirrel

Regional Caucus Dinners

6:00 PM

Members only: COA will host dinners at local restaurants for our Midwest, Southern, Eastern, and Western Caucuses. Connect with peers from your region of the country.