‘The art of changing minds’: New York Times bestselling author Anand Giridharadas brings call for stronger democracy and a more just economy to Tempe

Early-bird tickets are now on sale for Local First Arizona’s Good Business Summit, where Giridharadas will keynote April 16

TEMPE (Jan. 16, 2023) — Anand Giridharadas — the world-renowned author of internationally best-selling books that examine economic inequality, the charade of elite philanthropy and the need to build bridges with those who disagree — will keynote the Arizona Good Business Summit in Tempe on April 16.

The summit, presented by Local First Arizona, brings together more than 300 business people and entrepreneurs engaged in making local economies and communities stronger and leading positive change.

Early-bird tickets are available now at localfirstaz.com/good-business.

Arizona Good Business Summit

When: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday, April 16

Where: Arizona Heritage Center, 1300 N. College Ave., Tempe

Attendees will have the opportunity to forge partnerships, learn strategies for staying competitive in business, confront key issues facing Arizona, be inspired by stories of entrepreneurship and leave equipped with tools and resources to improve both their companies and communities.

“Anand Giridharadas is a powerful voice challenging us all to stand behind the local businesses that keep our communities strong and hold multinational corporations accountable for their voracious wealth extraction,” Local First Arizona CEO Kimber Lanning said. “His insights will energize Arizona business leaders to collaborate for a better future.”

“There’s a reason small businesses are trusted by 65% of Americans compared to only 14% for big businesses,” Lanning added. “Locally owned businesses prove time and again to be the most effective job creators and community developers.”

"The Arizona Good Business Summit's return is a fitting tribute to the attractive business environment our city has built,” Tempe Mayor Corey Woods said. 

“Tempe is a champion of local businesses,” he continued, “from our work to redevelop the Hayden Flour Mill and Danelle Plaza to supporting business incubators like FABRIC and investing in infrastructure such as South Pier. The Arizona Good Business Summit aligns with the values of hard work, innovation and collaboration that Tempeans exemplify.”

More about Anand Giridharadas

Giridharadas is an on-air political analyst for MSNBC and former foreign correspondent and columnist for The New York Times. His books “The Persuaders: The Art of Changing Minds” and “Winners Take All: The Elite Charade of Changing the World” have gained wide acclaim. His TED Talk has nearly 2 million views.

Giridharadas is a truth-teller and defender of democracy who gives audiences hope and shows what we can achieve together. Although it feels harder than ever to build a movement and come together for a common goal, Giridharadas says all is not lost. We can find solidarity by reaching out to those who think differently from us, while still holding fast to what we believe.

One of the foremost voices on democracy and overcoming division, Giridharadas points to how we can create real, meaningful change, solidarity and hope, not only in politics but also in our workplaces, campuses and communities. 

His previous book “Winners Take All” is an award-winning investigation into how the wealthy and global elite use the appearance of “changing the world” to obscure their role in causing the problems they claim to be solving and maintain a status quo that serves them. Giridharadas has inspired audiences around the world with his clarion call for real change and democracy in more than name only.

Ted Talk: A tale of two Americas. And the mini-mart where they collided

Ticket costs:

From Jan. 16-Feb.16:

$79 for Local First Arizona Business Coalition

$119 for general admission

From Feb. 17-onward:

$99 for Local First Arizona Business Coalition

$139 for general admission

About Local First Arizona

Founded in 2003, Local First Arizona is a community and economic development organization working to strengthen local economies. Local First’s areas of focus include developing entrepreneurship; rural, tribal and urban community development; racial equity; environmental action and food access. Local First is the largest local business coalition in the U.S. and advocates for independently owned businesses of all sizes by assisting local owners with technical assistance designed to help them compete and collaborate, which ultimately strengthens Arizona's economy and builds hometown pride. Visit localfirstaz.com for more information and a directory of locally-owned businesses.

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