E Pluribus
A national initiative focused on deepening state and local immigrant inclusive economic development.
What is 'E Pluribus'
E Pluribus, a national initiative led by Global Detroit, is broadening and deepening the state and local immigrant-inclusive economic development field. This new initiative establishes dedicated programming within the Global Detroit portfolio to provide specialized technical assistance, develop national programs, coordinate and execute advocacy priorities, and facilitate peer learning. Its work draws upon Global Detroit’s success over the past ten years in establishing networks, chronicling best practices, and advancing the growing movement of immigrant-inclusive economic development.
This initiative has a range of goals. E Pluribus strengthens and maximizes the impact of local immigrant-inclusive development projects while raising these local programs’ collective voice and perspective. E Pluribus is sparking a movement that promotes the growth, revitalization, and sustained prosperity of communities across America. It recognizes that economic development efforts prioritizing immigrant inclusion are profoundly a local endeavor.
The Importance of this Moment in Time
The increasing focus on our economy’s talent and labor needs has highlighted the contributions and benefits that robust immigration brings. Over the past 15 years, many state and local actors who have not traditionally been engaged in immigration issues have launched programs or expressed interest in developing immigrant-inclusive economic development practices. The demographic and economic arguments favoring immigration and immigrant inclusion are overwhelming. The issue is essential to our tech, health care, manufacturing, construction, agriculture, retail, and hospitality industries, revitalizing our cities and rural communities and the shared prosperity and racial equity gaps that persist. E Pluribus creates the ground conditions for sensible and humane immigration policy to prevail.
Our Approach
E Pluribus equips local stakeholders with practical tools and relationships to foster the economic inclusion of immigrants in ways that lift local economies, foster growth, and enhance prosperity. E Pluribus works with immigrant-inclusive economic development practitioners, mayors, city councils, county commissions, governors, economic development agencies, community development organizations, ethnic community-based groups, and other nonprofits by:
- Serving as a network for local initiatives offering peer-to-peer learning and engagement opportunities that convene and connect practitioners;
- Expanding access to technical assistance and research supporting local immigrant inclusive economic development strategies, policies, practices, and programs;
- Building capacity of local immigrant inclusive economic development initiatives;
- Conducting research, engaging in communications, and serving as a laboratory for an academy of best practices and emerging trends in the field of immigrant-inclusive economic development;
- Engaging new sectors and partners to expand the movement of immigrant inclusive economic development, including, but not limited to, economic development organizations, chambers of commerce, employers, small business support ecosystems, community development, and housing development organizations, and the public, nonprofit and philanthropic sectors; and
Raising the voice and profile of local immigrant inclusive economic development initiatives with national organizations, policymakers, and leaders.
Our Values
- Inclusion is a superior economic model. Everyone has unique talents and contributions they make, which strengthen our communities and make our economy more resilient.
- Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are critical. These pillars go beyond HR training and resource groups. Integrating these values into our work enhances our collective well-being and fuels economic growth.
- The power of local. Immigrant inclusion in economic development is a local endeavor. Local communities experience immigration impacts directly and are best equipped to design and implement successful inclusion strategies.
Current Work
Since its soft launch in January 2024, E Pluribus has:
- Surveyed Stakeholder Organizations to deepen our understanding of the current state of immigrant-inclusive economic development and identify topics, programmatic areas, and peer learning opportunities that hold value for local practitioners.
- Launched an International Student Retention National Peer Learning Cohort with 54 participants representing local and statewide organizations exploring, beginning, running, or supporting international student retention programming.
- Reactivated Global Entrepreneurs in Residence (Global EIR) National Peer Network with a contact list of nearly 200, including alumni, attorneys, state and local government representatives, economic development organizations, university partners, and more. The Global EIR National Peer Network is the go-to source for emerging programs seeking to learn about and implement this program to assist immigrant high-tech startups.
- Distributed Global Detroit’s High-Level analysis of 17 States’ International Student Retention Data, combining the Optional Practical Training data with the Open Doors international student data for local case-making and employer engagement to members of the International Student Retention Peer Learning Network, providing one-on-one technical support as needed to assist local programs in using the data.
- Disseminated the Findings from “The Power of Trusted Connectors in Micro-Enterprise Development” Research Report written by Global Detroit and the Build from Within Alliance.