How can we reduce the staggering costs of incarceration and invest instead in the potential of our youth? Is there a way?

Geoffrey Canada is an advocate for education and social justice. He drew attention to the high incarceration rates in certain neighborhoods and communities by displaying a map of Manhattan with clusters of red dots indicating where people were in jail. He challenged wealthy individuals to invest more in education, pointing out that the cost of incarcerating someone was significantly higher than the cost of educating them. He believed that investing in children from disadvantaged backgrounds could lead to a better future for them, their families, and society as a whole.

Guild CEO Rachel Romer and best-selling author Adam Grant speak to Geoffrey Canada, an American educator, social activist, author, president of Harlem Children's Zone and founder of the William Julius Wilson Institute on the topics of investing in children, developing a wide range of skills, and employee recruitment and retention. 

Key takeaways from our conversation with Geoffrey:

• Investing in education and wraparound services can be beneficial for kids: Geoffrey emphasizes the financial benefits of investing in education and wraparound services and compares the cost of prevention to the cost of incarceration, which can be very high. Therefore, it is important to invest in education and wraparound services to prevent kids from ending up in jail.
• Companies should focus on hiring from their local communities: Geoffrey believes that companies should make an effort to hire employees from their local communities, rather than importing employees from other areas. This promotes equal access to opportunities and helps to level the playing field for people from all demographics.
• Investing in frontline workers' skillset leads to cost savings: Geoffrey highlights the importance of investing in the skillset of frontline workers, which can lead to significant cost savings for a company in the long run. Soft skills and tacit knowledge are crucial for people to advance in their careers, but are often not taught. Therefore, businesses should focus on teaching these skills to their employees to promote growth and development.

Join us for a provocative conversation that will expand your knowledge on the topics of investing in children, developing a wide range of skills, and employee recruitment and retention. This episode will empower you to view situations from a different perspective, motivate and inspire you to expand your skill set, and more.

More resources from Guild

About Geoffrey Canada:

Geoffrey Canada is a renowned American educator, social activist, and author who has dedicated his life to transforming education in underprivileged communities. As the founder and former president of the Harlem Children's Zone (HCZ), he pioneered a comprehensive approach that tackles the multiple barriers impeding children's success, encompassing education, social services, and community support. Canada's innovative strategies have gained national recognition, and his advocacy for equity and access to quality education for all children has shaped education policy and practices. His impactful work, documented in books like "Fist Stick Knife Gun" and "Reaching Up for Manhood," continues to inspire educators and activists in their pursuit of a more equitable and empowering education system.