In conjunction with Black History Month, Commerce Deputy Secretary Don Graves recently released the U.S. Department of Commerce’s 2023 update to its Equity Action Report at a White House Convening on Equity. Among the plan’s highlights was the Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) stewardship of $3 billion in funding distributed to 780 diverse grantees — many working at the forefront of equitable economic development — through President Biden’s American Rescue Plan.

At the White House event, Deputy Secretary Graves was joined by one awardee, a Georgia-based innovator who is making a difference in AI manufacturing. Backed by a $65 million EDA investment through President Biden’s American Rescue Plan’s Build Back Better Regional Challenge, Donna Ennis is co-leading the Georgia Artificial Intelligence (AI) Manufacturing Technology Corridor (Georgia AIM). Georgia AIM is actively laying the groundwork to establish the United States as a leader in AI manufacturing while ensuring AI systems complement – rather than replace – existing workers.

For Donna, EDA’s generational investment in equitable economic development marks another chapter in a long and successful career focused on bringing equity to the forefront of innovation. Prior to being at Georgia AIM, Donna led Georgia Tech’s Enterprise Innovation Institute’s Georgia Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Business Center for 18 years.

Demonstrating a Focus on Equity

Ennis’ leading role at Georgia AIM underscores the initiative’s central focus on equitable economic development.

Ennis, who graduated from Boston University and received her MPA from Georgia State University, has led minority-focused economic development initiatives for years. Under her leadership, MBDA programs helped minority-owned businesses generate more than $6.4 billion in contracts, financing, and sales, creating or retaining thousands of jobs. She also established the national MBE (Minority Business Enterprise) Manufacturers Summit, the only U.S. summit focusing on bringing opportunities and education to MBE manufacturers. Recently, her work was honored by the Greater South Fulton Chamber of Commerce with its Partnership Award, and, in 2021, she was recognized with the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s Outstanding Voice Award.

At Georgia AIM, Ennis is putting her experience to work, helping manage a large coalition of diverse stakeholders with unique perspective and expertise. Led by Georgia Tech, the Georgia AIM coalition also includes Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) like Spelman College, the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG), K-12 Hispanic STEM engagement (GoSTEM), and more.

“At Georgia Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing, we are focused on the equitable development and deployment of innovation and talent,” explains Ennis. “The more participation we get from the Black and other marginalized communities, the more our young adults and children will benefit.”

The Georgia AIM vision involves several distinct projects that are now being developed.

Early work by the coalition includes collaboration with K-12 institutions, four-year universities, and technical colleges to help individuals of all ages learn about AI through training, connections with the AI workforce, and startup creation for educators. For instance, Georgia’s Houston County Development Authority (HCDA) recently received a sub-award from the EDA grant to support STEM scholarships at Fort Valley State University and Central Georgia Technical College. The sub-award is also helping HCDA set up a network of mobile training labs. Meanwhile, in Southwest Georgia’s Thomas County, Georgia AIM helped the Southern Regional Technical College convene Innovation and Entrepreneurship for Educators workshops, providing an opportunity for K-12 educators from the surrounding area to identify concerns and debunk myths about AI.

Other projects that Georgia AIM will support in the years ahead include the development of an AI Manufacturing Pilot Facility and support for entrepreneurship and innovation incubators. These and other initiatives have Georgia AIM targeting a six percent annual growth in the area’s manufacturing wage by 2027 while supporting a net increase of 54,000 additional quality jobs by the early 2030s.

Reflecting on Black History Month

Asked if there was a Black luminary, she reflects on for inspiration during Black History Month, Ennis explained no single person inspires her as much as the larger community.

“While I could tick off individual ‘luminaries’ that have made history, I want to sing praises to those unsung heroes that are the backbone of ensuring that our communities survive and thrive: Black-owned businesses.”

Thanks to Ennis and Georgia AIM, communities across Georgia are set to do both.

Learn more about Georgia AIM at georgiaaim.org