Webinar: How Michigan’s Great Southwest is Advancing Social Equity and Sustainability

Michigan Sustainable Business Forum and Michigan's Great Southwest Sustainable Business Forum will host an online round-table highlighting how a community can collectively work to advance social equity in our businesses, institutions, systems, and communities. Three leaders will discuss how they are working to elevate issues of inclusion and equity in St. Joseph, Benton Harbor and Southwest Michigan through community leadership, improved business practices and municipal policy.   Lynn Todman, Executive Director for Population Health, Spectrum Health Lakeland and a St. Joseph City Commissioner will introduce research on local social determinants of health and how those are impacting health and prosperity in Southwest Michigan.  Exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic, problems such as poverty, unemployment, food insecurity, incarceration, violence, and homelessness are contributing to poor public health outcomes and increased health care costs.   Laura Goos, another St. Joseph City Commissioner and Mayor Pro-Tem, will explain the process by which the commission created the new Nondiscrimination Ordinance and how that will impact municipal service and outcomes.  Mary Jo Schnell, Executive Director, OutCenter of Southwest Michigan, based in Benton Harbor, will highlight opportunities to develop and implement inclusive and equitable policies and practices within businesses.  Together, the panel will share perspectives on how businesses, institutions, individuals, and the greater community can provide support and solutions in the creation of a more sustainable and equitable future.  Webinar participants will learn about important research, recent actions, and how to become involved in these critical issues. Although the stories shared will feature examples local to Southwest Michigan, participants from across the Great Lakes will learn valuable lessons from the work being done in Berrien County.  Panelists include: Lynn Todman, Executive Director for Population Heath, Spectrum Health Lakeland (SHL) & Commissioner, City of St. Joseph Laura Goos, Mayor Pro-Tem & Commissioner, City of St. Joseph Mary Jo Schnell, Executive Director, OutCenter of Southwest Michigan This is part of a series of webinars hosted by West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum exploring sustainability and sustainable business in context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Register here.