Florida Chamber’s Prosperity Initiative to Spotlight Solutions for Reducing Childhood Poverty at June 9 Summit

The Florida Chamber Foundation’s Florida Prosperity Initiative will convene business, nonprofit, policy, and community leaders from across the state for the 2026 Florida Prosperity & Economic Opportunity Solution Summit on June 9 at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay.

Since the Florida Chamber’s Prosperity Initiative launched, childhood poverty in Florida has declined by nearly 200,000 children. Today, Florida has 711,576 children in poverty, with more than half of Florida’s children in just over 15% (152) of the state’s 983 ZIP codes.

The annual summit brings together cross-sector leaders focused on advancing data-driven solutions to ensure all Floridians, regardless of their zip codes, have a pathway to economic opportunity. The summit will highlight Florida’s Zip Code Model, which focuses on overcoming the unique challenges within each community and addressing the 10 Root Causes of Poverty through tailored, community-driven solutions.

Participants will explore strategies aligned with the Florida 2030 Blueprint and the latest childhood poverty data released in the Florida Prosperity Initiative’s State of Childhood Poverty in Florida report, including efforts to cut childhood poverty in half and strengthen Florida’s long-term economic competitiveness, down to the zip code level.

This year’s event will feature keynote presentations from Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier and Heather Cogar of the Florida Prosperity Initiative, who grew up in foster care and instinctively broke the cycle of generational poverty.

“Growing up in foster care and experiencing homelessness showed me how important it is to have people and communities willing to invest in your future,” said Heather Cogar, Statewide Director of Community Engagement of the Florida Prosperity Initiative. “The work being done through the Florida Prosperity Initiative is helping create pathways to opportunity so more children can reach their full potential.”

“Florida’s future depends on moving children and their families from government dependence and poverty to prosperity and self-sufficiency, said Mark Wilson, President & CEO of the Florida   Chamber of Commerce and Foundation. “This Prosperity Summit brings together leaders from across Florida to focus on the root causes of generational poverty and accelerate solutions that strengthen our workforce, grow our economy, and improve generational outcomes in every zip code.”

Also speaking at the Florida Prosperity Summit is Karen Moore, Founder & CEO of Moore Agency and Chair of the Florida Chamber Foundation. “As Florida continues to grow, economic opportunity for all is essential to sustaining long-term success,” said Karen Moore. “The Prosperity Summit is about collaboration and action, bringing together leaders who are committed to breaking down barriers and creating pathways to prosperity for every Floridian.”

“When communities thrive, Florida’s economy thrives,” said Michelle Hamilton, Senior Director of Corporate Social Responsibility for Florida Blue and a Florida Prosperity Initiative Advisory Board member. “Through the Florida Prosperity Initiative, we are collaborating with businesses, health care companies, and other local partners to advance practical, community-driven solutions that expand opportunity, improve quality of life, and strengthen Florida’s future.”

Click here to learn more and register for this year’s summit.

Media interested in attending onsite or virtually can request press credentials before the event by contacting Taylore Maxey at tmaxey@flchamber.com.