Category: Toward A Shared Vision

“GIA’s annual Toward a Shared Vision Summit helps to foster learning and collaborative efforts that create equitable educational opportunities in the Inland Empire region,” said Ann Marie Sakrekoff, GIA’s Interim CEO. 

INLAND EMPIRE, CA – Growing Inland Achievement (GIA) will host its 7th annual Toward a Shared Vision summit at the Riverside Convention Center on October 25–26. GIA is a nonprofit that networks education, government, nonprofit, and business partners in the Inland Empire. 

The summit, under the theme “United in the Journey,” embodies the need for a Collective Impact approach that harnesses the combined efforts of the Inland Empire’s 56 K-12 school districts, 12 community colleges, two public universities, five private universities, numerous nonprofit organizations, economic development agencies, the business community and government entities to address complex regional educational challenges and opportunities.  

GIA expects the event to bring together around 300 local leaders from various sectors to tackle longstanding regional educational and economic challenges.  

“At the heart of GIA’s mission is the commitment to increasing educational attainment, with a focus on accelerating success for historically marginalized student groups,” says Interim CEO of GIA, Ann Marie Sakrekoff. “The summit is a powerful platform to drive this mission, uniting education, government, nonprofit, and business leaders to pursue a shared vision for the Inland Empire.” 

GIA believes fostering an efficient, high-quality education system that creates access for all residents is critical to regional growth and prosperity. This commitment extends to building equitable structures to eradicate systemic racism, ensuring that every student, regardless of their background, has an opportunity to succeed. 

Sakrekoff underscores the significance of uniting together, stating, “We understand that it takes all stakeholders’ collective efforts and collaboration to drive transformative change,” She adds, “GIA’s annual Toward a Shared Vision Summit helps to foster learning and collaborative efforts that create equitable educational opportunities in the Inland Empire region.” 

Participants will engage in collaborative discussions, workshops, and team breakouts, focusing on strategies and solutions to expedite equitable educational opportunities and pathways to student success.  

“Breakout sessions and workshops will include discussions on concurrent high school and college course enrollment, how students can qualify for and properly use financial aid, indigenous peoples’ education, championing equity for undocumented students, increasing success for community college students transferring to four-year universities and much more,” said Sakrekoff. 

Two distinguished keynote speakers will highlight the event: Dr. Anton Treuer and Dr. Victor Rios.  

Dr. Treuer is a renowned author and Professor of Ojibwe at Bemidji State University, recognized for his work in race relations and indigenous languages.  

Dr. Rios, the MacArthur Foundation Chair and Professor of Sociology at the University of California, Santa Barbara, specializes in equity, anti-racism, cultural responsiveness, resilience, closing the opportunity gap, teacher well-being, and restorative justice. 

“Both of our keynote speakers have a passion for cultural understanding and achieving equitable educational success that resonates with GIA’s mission,” says Sakrekoff.   

To secure a seat, attendees are encouraged to register early. Early bird registration is $109 until September 30, 2023, and $129 thereafter. Conference registration includes access to all keynote and breakout sessions, event parking, and breakfast and lunch on both days. Notably, all proceeds from the event will support GIA’s student scholarship fund. 

For more information about the summit and to register, please visit the GIA website at InlandEmpireGIA.org. 

About Growing Inland Achievement 

Growing Inland Achievement, which serves San Bernardino and Riverside Counties, is a regional cross-sector network of education, government, nonprofit, and business partners in the Inland Empire, collectively working towards a shared vision of educational and economic success.  

GIA staff support this work by researching issues and opportunities, developing financial resources for the region, and connecting diverse stakeholders across the two-county region of the Inland Empire.  

GIA’s shared vision is that by 2035, San Bernardino and Riverside Counties will be widely recognized for their educated workforce, thriving communities, and vibrant economy that creates prosperity for all.