Renowned author Anand Giridharadas, whose bestselling books 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 and hosted at the Arizona Heritage Center, brings together more than 300 business people and entrepreneurs engaged in making local economies and communities stronger and leading positive change, according to a release. 

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

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, the release detailed.

“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 stated in the release. 

Lanning added that there's a reason small businesses are trusted by 65% of Americans, as "locally-owned businesses prove time and again to be the most effective job creators and community developers."

Tempe Mayor Corey Woods also provided a comment on the summit in the release, saying its return is "a fitting tribute to the attractive business environment" that the city of Tempe has built. 

“Tempe is a champion of local businesses,” Woods stated. “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.”