Patricia Ware, President and CEO of The Ware Development Group, joined IED Program students and faculty to share her perspectives on community development and relationship-building. Ms. Ware acknowledged that the most important focus of economic development must be empowerment and sustainability within the community. “Lack of unity in communities is a barrier to people being able to take care of themselves,” she stated. “Everyone in that community brings something to the table – that’s what makes up a community.” She also discussed the psychology of poverty and the importance of understanding the psychology of race when working in development.