Uniting for Action on the Maryland Economy
 
Uniting for Action on the Maryland Economy is a non-partisan initiative that brings Marylanders together to build relationships, strengthen collaboration skills, explore different views on economic issues, and work together to address economic challenges in MD.

​The first cohort of Maryland Uniters collaborated across divides on economic issues from September 2021 to June 2022. 

Maryland Uniters are on a mission to:
​​1. Build relationships across geographic, political, racial, and other divides
2. Increase understanding of economic challenges across MD
​3. Strengthen individual skills for communicating and collaborating across divides 
4. Tackle economic challenges that impact all communities across MD
5. Make civic participation of ordinary Marylanders possible, probable, and powerful 
6. Contribute to improved civic health and democracy in MD

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Who is leading this effort?

Program Overview
​Uniting for Action on the Maryland Economy follows three phases. During each phase, the cohort gathers in person and online for relationship-building, skill-building, dialogue, analysis, and intervention design. 

Interventions with Partner Organizations

Each Maryland Uniters team within the broader cohort partners with a Maryland organization to design and implement a project that 1) addresses an economic challenge (either local or statewide) identified by the group and 2) advances an initiative or goal of the organization. The first cohort partnered with the following five partner organizations:

Aimed to help Washington County residents who are unemployed and experiencing homelessness reenter the workforce

Developed the  Mountains of Wellness website, which provides resources to businesses, non-profits and the community on mind-body medicine and wellness to help offset negative impacts of stress on physical and emotional health.

Researched and produced a paper that details the specific skills in demand, resources available, government mandates, etc. that will help Marylanders increase access to education and training to be nimble in a changing economy.

Worked to improve workplace inclusivity for the LGBTQIA community

Interviewed immigrant entrepreneurs about their small businesses, and connected them with needed resources. The team also created videos and a podcast to raise awareness about the contributions that immigrants make to our economy. Check out the Areas of Agreement podcast by Elia Powers on the team's efforts to support immigrant entrepreneurs.

The team also produced two videos that highlight the successes and challenges of immigrant business owners in Talbot County, MD.

• Yesenia Gonzalez: clothing retail
• Javier Izquierdo: general contractor