This content first appeared in Economy & Business 2026. Click here to view the full publication.

By Torri A. Staton, PH.D, Vice President of Economic Mobility & Inclusivity, Raleigh Chamber, Director of Equitable Economic Development, Wake County Economic Development

A thriving region depends on ensuring every person has a pathway to success and that companies can access the talent they need to thrive. The Greater Raleigh Chamber’s Tapestry business alliance and signature programs bring people together to deepen understanding, broaden participation, and strengthen the workforce that drives the Triangle region forward.

In 2025, the Chamber released the second Economic Mobility Index, leveraging a data-driven methodology that ranked the Raleigh metro #12 out of 154 U.S. metros for upward mobility. The index provides a comparative analysis of how the Raleigh metro performs against other peer communities. The index focuses on data that measures the economic performance and representation of various diverse populations.

Also in 2025, we launched the Triangle Workforce Strategies event series, hosting over 400 attendees
through four sessions to explore critical topics including talent recruitment, inclusive leadership, workplace wellness, and supplier engagement through panels, workshops, and discussions.

In 2026, we are introducing Foundations of Economic Success, an invitation-only series hosted by Tapestry.
This five-part event will dig into key drivers of economic mobility in the Triangle:

• Care at the Core: Childcare & Economic Opportunity in
  the Triangle

• Health as Wealth: Bridging Gaps in Access to Healthcare

• The Commute to Opportunity: Transportation Challenges
  and Solutions

• Where We Live: Housing Availability and Affordability

• What We Eat: Food Insecurity and Address Food Deserts

Through these initiatives, the Chamber is building a more dynamic, resilient, and opportunity-rich economy—ensuring that the Triangle remains a place where businesses thrive and every individual has the chance to succeed.