From: Amitabh Desai <[email-masked]>
To: Katrina Ngo <[email-masked]>
Cc: Ed Hughes <[email-masked]>, Bruce Lindsey <[email-masked]>, Laura Graham <[email-masked]>, Doug Band - PC <[email-masked]>, Justin Cooper - PC <[email-masked]>, Bari Lurie <[email-masked]>, "John Podesta ([email-masked])" <[email-masked]>, Robert Harrison <[email-masked]>, Logan Koffler <[email-masked]>, Marc Dunkelman <[email-masked]>, Valerie Alexander <[email-masked]>, Angel Urena <
Date: Wed, 7 Dec 2011 13:15:53 -0500

Katrina, John Hope Bryant sent a note to WJC suggesting that we do something to highlight the role that businesses played in advancing the civil rights movement.  WJC sent a note saying we should evaluate this idea. I spoke with John today and explained we'd like to learn more, without committing that we'd do anything. One idea we discussed was to do a panel or something at CGI America in 2012 that would both look back at how businesses expanded opportunities for Americans of all ethnicities in the 1960's (and since), while also using that historic inspiration to have a conversation about what businesses can do today and into the future to expand opportunity for the most underserved in the US - whether african American or latino or any other race. John's folks mentioned they are in touch with you about CGI America, so just wanted to be sure you are aware. Feels like there is something very interesting here and a potentially good role for WJC to play on some tough issues - but I defer to you guys and welcome your thoughts.

John's other idea is to do a WJC-Andy Young-Tutu (and/or other panelists) discussion on this topic next year.

Also copying Marc since there are some good legacy components to this.

Sincerely,
Ami