Dedicating time and space for ESE leaders to connect, learn from each other, and strengthen relationships.
NYC Community Convening
September 2025 – Brooklyn, NY
Community members from The Knowledge House, Drive Change NYC, and City Beet Kitchen visited Emma’s Torch to learn how culinary training and transitional employment can open pathways for refugees and asylees. Participants experienced part of the training model firsthand and collaborated through a Solution Salon, strengthening relationships and sparking new ideas for participant support and job placement.
Green Jobs Affinity Group Convening
September 2025 – Pittsburgh, PA
Leaders from the Green Jobs Affinity Group convened in Pittsburgh with Landforce to explore how environmental stewardship and workforce development intersect. Through site tours, conversations with staff, and peer problem-solving, the group shared strategies for scaling green job pathways and formed new collaborations to strengthen training, business lines, and community impact across their organizations.
Chicago Community Convening
June 2025 – Chicago, IL
In June, REDF Community ESE Bright Endeavors in Chicago hosted the regional Community to learn about their candle-making operations and Executive Skills programming. Attendees participated in a solution salon, connected over coffee and lunch, and contributed ideas to strengthen local ESE practices and partnerships.
Refugee Affinity Group Convening
March 2025 – Seattle, WA
In March, refugee-serving ESE leaders gathered in Seattle to strengthen networks, share strategies, and build resilience in the face of evolving policy challenges. The convening fostered collaboration with peers and funders to support and sustain critical employment programs.
Leaders of Color Affinity Group Convening
October 2024 – Bay Area, CA
In October, REDF convened the Leaders of Color Affinity Group in the Bay Area to celebrate four years of shared leadership and community. Attendees engaged in hands-on learning with a peer ESE Homeward Bound of Marin, built connections with regional partners, and strengthened their collective commitment to advancing leaders of color across the REDF Community.
Community Retreat
June 2024 – Los Angeles, CA
Our retreat is the largest gathering of employment social enterprises in the country – a rare opportunity for ESEs to gather in-person to build relationships and a sense of belonging in an ever-growing field.
Regional ESE Leaders Gathering
April 2024 – Chicago, IL
This gathering brought together the different communities that make up the social enterprise and entrepreneur support ecosystems across Chicago.
Refugee Serving ESEs Affinity Group
October 2023 – San Francisco, CA
Leaders from our ESEs serving refugee employees gathered in San Francisco to discuss common challenges (including fundraising) and build on successes.
Regional ESE Leaders Gathering
October 2023 – Nashville, TN
Designed for social enterprises new to REDF, we co-hosted a lunch and site visit to ESE Crossroads Campus, where we learned about the development and launch of their second location and their trauma-informed care practices.
BIPOC Leaders Affinity Group
September 2023 – Washington, DC
Thirty leaders from our BIPOC ESE Leaders Affinity Group came together and created space for community building, belonging, support, and collaboration.
Los Angeles ESE Leaders Gathering
April 2023 – Los Angeles, CA
REDF joined with our Southern California ESE Community to strengthen relationships and build partnerships.
Bay Area ESE Leaders Gathering
March 2023 – Oakland, CA
We hosted our San Francisco Bay ESE leaders to build relationships with each other and discuss ways to partner.
DMV ESE Leaders Gathering
December 2022 – Washington, DC
Our DC, Maryland, and Virginia-based ESEs visited Community member, Emma’s Torch, and broke bread over dinner to strengthen our community ties.