(The paper was originally prepared for the International Conference on "Issues and Challenges of Business in Emerging Economy" in Bhubaneswar, India January 2019

Globally there continues to be concern about the widening income gap and for good cause. The " World Inequality Report 2018 " indicates globally that inequality has increased worldwide at different rates. The good news is that global wealth creation gains have been made; the not so good news is that the top 1% garner a significant share of the growth while the bottom 50% continues to be stagnant causing many in the bottom 50% to be subsisting on long term constant low levels of poverty.

The final version of the paper will address the question of the future of work and entrepreneurship in the following sections:

I. Global wealth and income disparities

II. Exploring options for increasing the utilization of global diverse talent

III. Hope for the future of technology and entrepreneurial innovations

IV. Unity in community and capacity building

V. Conclusions

Brooklyn New York is leading the transformation in developing multi-generational, multi-ethnic, multi income talent for the changes to come.

Brownsville within Brooklyn has the greatest number of public housing in the US. Many of the residents are coming together to accelerate the expansion of both technology and entrepreneurship in Brownsville. The organization Made in Brownsville offers apprenticeship programs in Graphics, 3D Design, Graphic Design, and Videography. Apply today as the deadline for the next cohort is January 25th. A portfolio of their services includes Film & Video, Web Design, 3D Design, Graphic Design, and Screen Printing. The Chief Executive Officer and Founder is Quardean Lewis-Allen. Quardean's vision of preparing diverse community talent for an ever-evolving market place is becoming a reality.

Made in Brownsville is also collaborating with another group to help middle school students participate in entrepreneurship and study abroad in Kenya with the Start-Up Africa Program. Nominations are due January 19.

A weekend at the new venue in Brownsville

Brooklyn is diverse in its opportunity and its talent.

Interview with Jack Abel

Jack Abel was born in Israel and came to the United States with his parents when he was 10. At the time Jack arrived, he did not speak English; he was enrolled in the 5th grade at PS 60 in the Bronx. Jack was paired by his teacher with another student, Winston Barnet; it was Winston who taught him English. Jack has a unique story in that both of his parents are survivors of the holocaust. Both parents lost their parents and siblings and Jack makes the point that he never knew his grandparents on either side.

After completing public school Jack graduated from two City University of New York (CUNY) Colleges — Lehman's College and City College. Jack also graduated from Columbia University's engineering program. Jack joined the family business which his father launched and now they are in the third generation of Abel family leadership of Watermark. The company has operated in three locations — all in Brooklyn for 42 years. They are a rare urban based manufacturing company and the niche is high end luxury products that are marketed globally — including China. They have the unique ability to customize specific designs for architects using 3D printing and other modeling technology.

In fact, Jack believes the US should not compete with low-end mass products against other countries as that is not our strength. Jack believes that there should be a parallel path for technical education; his question is why are there not more technical programs to prepare the youth for the jobs of the future. Jack does not believe either the 4 year or community colleges are teaching technical skills — "they are too academic." He further states, "where will people find work, manufacturing is declining."

Jack has been working since he was 12 years old and he is now 70. He believes that the diversity of the entrepreneurs and labor force in the US provides a significant opportunity that does not exist in other countries. He believes to get out of poverty culture of learning must be pervasive.

"You gotta do what you gotta do to get out of poverty… the formula is there… …. The path is there… Education… Family… Entrepreneurship.

The Future is preparing for the opportunity now. It starts with us. It starts with our voices.

#Entrepreneurship #Technology #Future #3D #AI #Cloud computing #Brownsville #Brooklyn #Education #Tech training #Diversity # Inclusion

Published By

Originally published at https://www.linkedin.com.