CMRC’s Quarterly Report: Highlighting the Work of A Multi-Stakeholder-Led Sector Partnership

The CMRC is a coalition-building initiative of Manufacturing Renaissance started in 2005.  At CMRC’s bimonthly Leadership Committee meeting 10/24/22, Erica Staley presented the third quarter performance report for CMRC activity in 2022. The full report can be accessed here. Thanks to Leadership Committee member input into this evolving process, at the beginning of 2022, we came […]

An International Exchange, and Friendship, Continues between Chicago and Australia

Above, Peter Botsman (right) looks on as Chaseley Walker, high school student from Australia (2nd from right) listens to two Austin Polytech students (first two from the left) share their experience in Mr. McIlrath’s math class (2011). Manufacturing Renaissance programs serve youth and young adults in underserved Chicago communities, but the reach and relevance of […]

Spotlight on Economic Democracy as a Strategy for Inclusive Development

Since the early 1980s, Manufacturing Renaissance has been inspired by and a student of worker ownership models, recognizing their potential for expanding wealth creation opportunities for communities that have traditionally been excluded from business ownership and wealth creation, especially in the manufacturing sector. Over the years MR has provided leadership in efforts to raise awareness […]

Resolution Introduced in Chicago’s City Council to Endorse the Manufacturing Reinvestment Corporation Act

On March 23, 2022, Alderman Michael Rodriguez, Ward 22 representing Little Village, North Lawndale and surrounding communities,  submitted a resolution to endorse the Manufacturing Corporation Reinvestment Act (HR5124).  In short, this resolution acknowledges: The importance of the intersection between manufacturing and education and career and technical education in the City of Chicago towards building a […]

Ministers for Manufacturing Quarterly Meeting Updates

The Chicagoland Manufacturing Renaissance Council‘s Ministers for Manufacturing (M4M) committee convenes quarterly to share the latest program and policy updates with faith leaders in our communities. This quarter’s meeting on February 18, 2022 featured Craig Freedman, CEO of Freedman Seating, Andrew Stettner and Michelle Burris of The Century Foundation, DeeDee Jones of Manufacturing Renaissance, and […]

Program Highlights: Towards Expanding a Manufacturing Ecosystem

Manufacturing Renaissance completed its Career Pathway Services program year over the summer, concluding a dynamic period stretching September of 2020 through August 2021. Career Pathway Services consists of two program models: Manufacturing Connect (serving high school seniors) and Young Manufacturers Association (serving young adults 18-24). Though trainings were held online during the pandemic, data show […]

CMRC’s Ministers for Manufacturing: The Faith Community Plays a Key Role in Development

Photo caption left to right: Rev. Anthony Haynes, David Robinson, Erica Staley, Tanesha House, Jim Piper, Rev. Timothy Wright III Ministers in the region who are working with Manufacturing Renaissance came together in September to build the faith community’s support for manufacturing as a tool for social inclusion and sustainable community development. The gathering of […]

Towards a New Paradigm of Development: MR’s Theory of Change

In recent months, Manufacturing Renaissance and many partners have come together to advocate for a stronger and more equitable industrial policy in this country. Meanwhile, the organization’s dynamic work in Chicago (and other communities) continues. Now, a new report shares what Manufacturing Renaissance has learned and how the manufacturing sector in this country can be […]