Featured Work
Strategic advising to three NALCAB organizational members
Equitable Cities Collaborative partnered with the National Association of Latino Community Asset Builders (NALCAB) to provide strategic support to three nonprofit organizations across the U.S. including: Hispanic Economic Development Corporation in Kansas City, MO; the Immigrant Development Center in Fargo, ND; and Access Plus Capital in Fresno, CA. Collaborators that supported this work include Myriagon Consulting and Kersy Azocar.
Everybody Builds Strategic Stakeholder Session
Equitable Cities Collaborative led the design and facilitation of a half-day retreat including contractors, developers, labor representatives, public officials and workforce intermediaries to discuss the current conditions of the real estate market and discuss potential strategies for bolstering the diversity of the the workforce and contractors on regional development projects.
William Penn Foundation Economic Mobility Grant making Strategy & Implementation
Equitable Cities Collaborative and Anavi Strategies supported the William Penn Foundation in carrying out a strategic planning process to inform a new area of grant making focused on economic mobility, with an emphasis on workforce development. The work included more than 40 interviews, multiple focus groups, data analysis and the development of an RFP. Follow-on work included the review of 97 proposals, selection of the first cohort, and the establishment of a learning community of grantees.
Stakeholder Engagement & Community Benefits Strategy for Proposed Sixers Arena
Equitable Cities Consulting and Rvesta Solutions are supporting the Sixers Arena project through strategic advisory services in intentional and culturally relevant community engagement; locally-informed identification of priorities and concerns; peer city research on the impact of arena developments and community benefit agreements; anti-displacement and community preservation strategies; and recommendations for responsible, sustainable development that benefits surrounding communities and the city at large.
Philadelphia Economic Development Ecosystem Analysis and Integrated Jobs & Economic Development Roadmap Steering Committee
Equitable Cities Consulting was contracted by the William Penn Foundation to carry out an analysis of Philadelphia and Camden’s economic development ecosystem, through a combination of desk research and interviews. As a next phase, The Pew Charitable Trusts hired Equitable Cities Consulting - in partnership with Rvesta Consulting and Econsult Solutions - to assist a newly formed Steering Committee in selecting key priorities the greatest potential for long-term, collective action and building an inclusive and resilient future for our city, ultimately increasing the number of quality jobs in Philadelphia.
Pontiac, Michigan Equitable Economic Development Technical Assistance
Equitable Cities Consulting partnered with Activest and Third Eye Network, supported by the Council of Michigan Foundations, to provide technical assistance to the City of Pontiac, Main Street Pontiac, Pontiac Collective Impact Partnership, and Pontiac Community Foundation in order to help strengthen the local economic development ecosystem.
Just Transition and Climate Justice: Global Toolkit for Cities
Equitable Cities Consulting has worked with C40 on three projects related to Just Transition: 1.) ECC recently developed a Global Toolkit for Mayors on the topic of Just Transition; 2.) C40 commissioned several papers to explore the topic in the U.S., Europe and South Africa. Equitable Cities Consulting authored the U.S. paper; 3.) ECC recently completed research on how cities can better engage union labor in climate change.
Building Talent Pipelines for the U.S. Navy’s Maritime Supply Chain
Equitable Cities Consulting is contracted by Rhoads Industries to support the U.S. Navy’s Philadelphia Pipeline Pilot, an initiative focused on building an ongoing pipeline of workers from Career and Technical Education (CTE) High Schools and community colleges in the region to support the talent needs of the Navy’s local supply chain of companies.
Urban Revitalization in Trenton & Baltimore
Equitable Cities Consulting partnered with Urbane Development, an MBE firm that cultivates innovative solutions to build dynamic neighborhoods and positively impact underserved communities. Recent joint projects include the redevelopment of a Transit Orientated Development (TOD) area in Trenton and supporting the revitalization of the Middle Branch Waterfront in South Baltimore.
Digital Equity Analysis, Assessment, and Recommendations
Equitable Cities Consulting, LLC was engaged by the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey in January 2021 to assess Philadelphia’s strengths, gaps and opportunities related to digital equity. As part of this work, Sylvie conducted in-depth primary and secondary research related to digital access, navigation and tech workforce development, culminating in strategic recommendations for Philadelphia to achieve digital equity and resilience.
Workforce and Innovation Districts
In January 2021, Equitable Cities Consulting partnered with The Business of Cities to research best practices and identify innovative models of workforce development strategies that have been implemented in innovation districts throughout the globe, to provide recommendations that will inform future investments in innovation precincts to be made by New South Wales (NSW), Australia. The final report issues by the NSW Innovation and Productivity Council illustrates the many ways that innovation precincts can intentionally contribute to workforce development in the surrounding community, in addition to attracting more workers.
Program Design for Training in Equitable Small Business & Workforce Recovery
Equitable Cities Consulting has supported the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia in developing and implementing two modules of its Reinventing Our Community (ROC) 9-month Cohort Program, focused on equitable small business recovery in 2021 and equitable workforce recovery in 2022.
Clients
C40 Cities
City Ave Special Services District
City of Trenton (with Urbane)
Council of Michigan Foundations (with Activest)
Delaware County Commerce Center/ Economic Development Oversight Board
Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (with Econsult Solutions, Inc.)
Everybody Builds
Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia
For Climate Tech: Second Muse and NextCorps
Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (with Rvesta)
Independence Media Foundation
National Association of Latino Community Asset Builders (NALCAB)
New South Wales Innovation & Productivity Council (with The Business of Cities)
Passyunk Avenue Revitalization Corporation
PIDC/Philadelphia Commerce Department
Pew Charitable Trusts (with Rvesta)
Philadelphia International Airport (with Campbell-Hill Aviation Group and Connect the Dots)
Reimagine Middle Branch: City of Baltimore, South Baltimore Gateway Partnership & Parks and People Foundation (with Urbane)
Rhoads Industries (US Navy Workforce Pipeline Pilot)
TMG, Inc.
United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey
Widener University Small Business Development Center
William Penn Foundation (with Anavi Strategies)
Bringing over twenty years of leadership experience and commitment to inclusive, equitable economic development.
Sylvie Gallier Howard has extensive experience leading economic development work, focused on small businesses, entrepreneurship, neighborhood revitalization, and workforce development; as well as business attraction and retention on an international scale.
She has led the development of inclusive growth strategy, developed programs to support small and minority-owned businesses, and shaped economic recovery frameworks in response to COVID-19.
Whether you are a government agency, non-profit or corporation seeking to foster more inclusive, equitable economic growth in businesses, neighborhoods or cities, Equitable Cities Consulting will serve as your trusted partner to meet your goals. Sylvie brings experience, professionalism and passion to every engagement customized to meet your unique needs.