Beyond the Layoffs: Building an Economy That Sustains Us

As Black women and men navigate layoffs, workforce reductions, and changing pathways to economic mobility, Beyond the Layoffs: Building an Economy That Sustains Us creates a restorative and solutions-focused space for Black women and men to imagine what we can build together. Using a design thinking approach, the experience begins with separate circles for Black women and Black men, creating space for reflection, truth-telling, listening, and consideration of changes that impact us and networks that would sustain us. Participants then come together to move from lived experience to collective imagination and action. Through facilitated design exercises, the community will identify needs, challenge assumptions, generate ideas, and begin designing economic solutions rooted in ownership, entrepreneurship, employment, investment, resource sharing, and collective wellbeing. The goal is not simply to discuss how existing systems have failed us, but to envision and ask a more powerful question: What can we build together that allows our communities to thrive?

This event is hosted by Transformation to Triumph, The Gathering Spot DC, and The Generational Impact Project

Facilitators:

Dr. Shay Harris-Pierre, LPC, CFT, brings extensive expertise in family dynamics and financial therapy to guide families with shared wealth through the relational conflicts that naturally arise over time. She specializes in facilitating challenging conversations that preserve relational bonds and uphold family values, addressing issues such as apathy, entitlement, and emotional estrangement. She is the owner of a private counseling practice and a consulting firm, and serves as a Senior Consultant for family businesses navigating conflict.

Tyrome "Ty" Smith is an innovation strategist and ecosystem builder with over 25 years of experience helping executives, teams, and organizations understand the human and organizational dynamics that shape social systems. As a Fellow with the AK Rice Institute, he brings deep expertise in group relations and systems thinking to his work facilitating dialogue on leadership, power, and organizational behavior. He has spent much of his career driving economic development by coaching and advising founders and startups — as Strategic Advisor to numerous companies — with a particular focus on expanding opportunity for underrepresented entrepreneurs. He currently serves as Interim Director of Economic Development at Bowie State University, where he continues to build pathways connecting innovation, workforce development, and community impact.