Workforce Grantmaking in Native Nations and Communities Update

Our collective knowledge about the Indigenous peoples of the U.S. often remains veiled in mystery—a result of deliberate efforts of the colonial project to erase Native voices and narratives. We must continue to educate ourselves as we work toward building a more equitable and just society.  In Indian Country, workforce development Read more…

Recap: Community Colleges Webinar on Innovative Financing Strategies

On Thursday, September 21, 2023, Workforce Matters hosted our second virtual learning and discussion series on community colleges and workforce development. Featuring the New Jersey Pay it Forward Program, the conversation explored how innovative workforce financing – whether designed to provide last-dollar funding, or invested to stretch or amplify impact Read more…

Reflections on Workforce Development Month September 2023 

The recognition of Workforce Development Month began in 2005. Now, almost 20 years later, organizations across the field continue to recognize the contributions of the workforce development field to our economy and society at large.  As a philanthropy-serving organization uniquely focused on workforce development through our support of workforce grantmakers, Read more…

Recap: Affirmative Action Briefing and Discussion for Workforce Grantmakers

On August 28, 2023, Workforce Matters hosted a briefing for workforce grantmakers on the implications of the Supreme Court’s decisions in SFFA v. Harvard and SFFA v. UNC. Our conversation with Art Coleman, Managing Partner at EducationCounsel; Dr. Alex Camerdelle, Vice President at Atlanta Wealth Building Initiative; and Sally Chen, Read more…

Statement on the Supreme Court’s Ruling on Affirmative Action

From Co-Directors Loh-Sze Leung and Clair Minson: The Supreme Court’s rulings that struck down race-based admissions at Harvard and at the University of North Carolina set back decades of progress toward greater diversity and inclusion in higher education.  Affirmative action programs and policies have long been a critical tool for Read more…

RECAP: Promoting Inclusion for People Disabilities in the Workforce Helps All Workers

On May 10, 2023, during Mental Health Awareness Month, Workforce Matters held a webinar with the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) at the U.S. Department of Labor. The webinar featured Assistant Secretary Taryn M. Williams, Anupa Iyer Geevarghese, Chief of Staff, and Robert Trombley, Senior Advisor to the Assistant Read more…

RECAP: Community College Webinar featuring Lumina Foundation

On May 4, Workforce Matters hosted a webinar on community colleges featuring Lumina Foundation and partner organizations working together to create career opportunities through short-term credential programs like High Road Construction Careers (HRCC) in California. We heard from our panel of speakers about the partnerships behind this work among organizations Read more…