Big Bets for America in Oklahoma City pairs capital with ideas to amplify impact

To address challenges related to health, artificial intelligence, food and other quality of life factors in the Heartland, public, private and nonprofit sector leaders will gather in Oklahoma next week to announce initiatives they believe will spur change and move communities across America forward.

Two nonprofit organizations that aim to improve economic and social well-being through targeted programming will launch the Big Bets for America tour. Organizers of the initiative say it will catalyze progress through “unlikely” collaborations on Tuesday, Nov. 4, at the Fordson Hotel and The Jones Assembly in downtown Oklahoma City.

Based in Bentonville, Arkansas Heartland Striker Its mission is to rewrite the narrative about the nation’s Heartland, with a goal of accelerating growth and generating $500 million in economic impact in the region by 2030. Founded in 2019, the organization aims to improve economic performance, spur job creation, promote inclusive growth, and improve health outcomes through research, community-focused programs and policy work.

Rockefeller FoundationIt was founded in New York in 1913 by John Rockefeller and his son, according to its website. The global philanthropic organization supports the well-being of humanity by finding new solutions, creating “improbable partnerships” and taking a business-driven approach to improving the well-being of Americans and the entire world.

These foundations’ collective rolodex will bring together farmers, business executives and others to get to the heart of the tough issues facing Oklahoma and other states in the region. Governor Kevin Stitt and Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt are scheduled to attend, as well as representatives from some of corporate America’s most integrated companies in areas such as technology, aviation, strategy and consulting, finance and asset management.

As Washington continues to struggle to solve problems, innovators in the United States are working hard to figure out how to advance the American dream, said Rajiv Shah, president of the Rockefeller Foundation. He said Big Bets for America aims to showcase data-driven, cutting-edge solutions to 21st century problems, as well as bringing together a long list of partners to initiate collaborations that can spur change.

“In this day and age, where political paralysis collides with profound technological and economic transformation, meetings like these are vital to empower leaders who remind us every day that progress is still possible,” Shah said in a statement.

At a time of economic uncertainty for many, Eason Jordan, senior vice president of the Rockefeller Foundation, said they wanted to show America that there are organizations and companies taking action to find and present solutions to today’s problems. Economic opportunity and health are two areas that need attention, he said.

Various discussions about artificial intelligence are also on the agenda. As AI continues to simultaneously create and erase jobs in the public and private sectors, Jordan said the world must figure out how to better navigate this environment.

Another topic of discussion on Big Bets for America will center around the medicinal qualities of food. The Rockefeller Foundation has invested more than $3 billion in the United States over the past 20 years; invested heavily in Oklahoma’s Fresh RX program; This program partners with local farms to provide fresh options directly to Oklahomans with diabetes, providing free, nutritious produce. The organization is offering a free 12-month program to people in the Tulsa area.

Why start your Big Bets for America tour in Oklahoma?

The conference comes at a time when Oklahoma ranks at or near the bottom of several measures, including health outcomes, food insecurity, education and overall well-being.

Angie Cooper, president of Heartland Forward, said improving these rankings can be done through a multi-pronged approach that includes strengthening the talent pipeline through ground-up training and workforce development and using technology to expand access to healthcare resources such as telehealth. He said artificial intelligence could speed up efforts.

“So we brought a lot of different people from around the country into a room in Oklahoma City and said, ‘Who has this resource, who has the expertise on this, and how can we support this?’ It’s a great thing to say. I think the magic happens when you look at all the tools and people that have expertise and tailor them to each community,” Cooper said.

Heartland Forward has two announcements planned, and Cooper said they are eager to hear people’s thoughts on actions that could accelerate economic growth and prosperity in Oklahoma and the 20 states the organization considers Heartland.

Oklahoma will be the first stop of Big Bets for America. Jordan said the state is not only located in the heart of the Heartland, but also has leaders serving effectively in the private, nonprofit and public sectors.

“That was really an inspiration for us,” Jordan said, adding that Stitt, who leads the National Governors Association, and Holt, who chairs the National Conference of Mayors, also played a role in hosting the effort’s inaugural event in Oklahoma City.

“It’s a great opportunity for everyone involved in Big Bets for America to connect with these policymakers,” Jordan said.

You can find more information about the event at: www.bigbetsforamerica.org

This article was first published in The Oklahoman: Oklahoma City will host Big Bets for America on Tuesday