On September 7th and 8th, The Rhode Island Foundation will host ‘Make It Happen RI,’ a convening of private sector stakeholders to address the state’s high unemployment and related economic development issues. Neil Steinberg, President and CEO of The Rhode Island Foundation has said, “We will be focused on generating ideas, taking action, and delivering results to revive Rhode Island. Our plan is to be realistic, positive, and forward-thinking and strive to have the broadest cross section of input and participation in this effort.”

Guests can participate in nine facilitated working sessions that will tackle what to do, how to do it and who can do it. The topics are: Attacking Unemployment, Marketing Rhode Island, Support + Growth for Existing Businesses, Business Environment, Closing Skills Gaps, Startups: Helping Entrepreneurs Thrive, Quality of Place, Leveraging/Maximizing Sites, and High Potential/High Impact Sectors.

While the event is for private sector leaders, the public is strongly encouraged to contribute to the session discussions by emailing ideas to MakeItHappenRI@rifoundation.org. Submissions will be considered only if accompanied by a name and contact information by Monday, August, 27th. Steinberg urges all Rhode Islanders to offer ideas, “’Leadership is not an executive title; each one of us has the ability to become a civic leader in our own way. Part of being a leader is developing informed opinions and then having the willingness to share them confidently.”