Inclusive Economy Consortium

Texas has always fascinated me with its Maverick ways of getting things done (with an intentional double entendre aimed at fellow basketball fans).  We are facing a “polycrisis”; with multiple crises intricately interconnected, including the cost-of-living crisis, climate change, environmental degradation, and the erosion of social cohesion. Those already vulnerable are worst hit, making effective action increasingly urgent, in turn requiring collaboration and collective action. I am happy to report that the seeds of collective action to tackle the polycrisis are being sown in Texas. 28 Ecosystem Partners from across sectors and disciplines, and four global partners have collaborated to create the novel Texas Impact Enterprise Awards launched last week, recognizing the most impactful changemakers. Organizations doing amazing work across Texas, often out of the spotlight, surfaced in the process. The award also helps create a database and map that fosters information sharing and collaborations. This first of its kind map and tool, the Texas ImpactMap, also aggregates close to 500 datasets relevant to tackling the polycrisis, the fruit of an effort that started in 2017.   Nominated impact enterprises operate in all areas of climate-smart inclusive economic development, and the Awards brought together their amazing leaders.  Artists and theologians, educators and scientists, economists, financiers and engineers, just to name a few. Each doing amazing work in their respective fields.  I am convinced that together they will create the ripple effect. The Texas Impact Enterprise Awards and ImpactMap aims to celebrate and connect them to help foster urgent large-scale action. Because business as usual and marginal changes no longer suffice. We are most fortunate to be able to walk in the footsteps of giants like Garrett Boone, who was honored with the Texas Impact Enterprise Legend Award, whose wisdom many in the room benefitted from. There are so many to thank.  Dr. Bobby Lyle believing in this work meant the world to me, and his invaluable advice has guided our hands all these years.  Our incredible global partners, Miguel J. Martins (Miguel J. Martins Advisors, Lda), Xiaochen Z. (FinTech4Good & AI 2030) & Deb Perry (Global Inclusive Economy Society), helped shape this work based on international best practices.  Our ecosystem partners helped co-create the tools for maximum relevance in Texas. Anna Clark, a collaborator for close to two decades now, has been instrumental in this work as co-founder of the Inclusive Economy Consortium.  I have been blessed with an incredible team at the Hunt Institute that worked tirelessly to make the vision a reality.  Special shout-out to Rebecca Pearce, without whose tenacity the Texas Impact Awards would not have been possible. The 99 Fellows of Hunt Institute have advised us along the way. And last but not least, very special thanks to our sponsors United Way, 3xP Global, Target and Cooksey Communications.