what we're up to
Seven Recommendations to Advance Racial Equity in the Workforce System
In the latest guest post on our blog, Desmond Amuh and Paige Shevlin of the Markle Foundation along with Daniel Bustillo of the Healthcare Career Advancement Program (H-CAP) and Clair Minson of Sandra Grace LLC share recommendations to address racial disparities in service provision and labor market outcomes.
Achieving racial equity in the economy will require bold legislative action, including raising the minimum wage and strengthening worker protections. However, there are critical steps that federal, state, and local workforce agencies can take today to start addressing the disparities that exist along lines of race:
- Distribute funding equitably to direct more resources to people of color.
- Prioritize workforce services that include wraparound supports.
- Provide funding to and partner with organizations led by people of color.
- Measure the performance of workforce programming by prioritizing the long-term economic security of workers.
- Set requirements for employer partnerships, contracting, and procurement that raise overall job quality and labor standards.
- Invest in data systems and track disaggregated outcomes.
- Diversify workforce leadership and staff and provide training on racial equity.
Looking to get more involved with Workforce Matters? Join us for our July Office Hours!
Are you new to Workforce Matters? Just looking for information about how to get more involved? Join us for one of our monthly Office Hours, where you'll have an opportunity to share information about your interests, learn more about Workforce Matters, and connect with other workforce grantmakers who are also seeking out learning and partnership opportunities. Our next Office Hours will be Friday, July 9th at 12:00 pm eastern.
on our calendars
Racism and the Economy: Focus on Criminal Justice
July 13 | 12:00 PM EDT | Federal Reserve Bank | Virtual
Ask Us Anything: The Cost of Inequality in the Labor Market
July 14 | 1:30 PM EDT | Federal Reserve Bank | Virtual
Learn More and Register
Black Livelihoods and Economic Recovery in the United States
July 22 | 12:00 PM EDT | McKinsey Live | Virtual
Leveraging Workers’ Skills for an Inclusive Economy: Tools, Resources, and Evidence
July 22 | 12:00 PM EDT | WorkRise | Virtual
ASU+GSV Summit
August 9-11 | Arizona State University and Global Silicon Valley | San Diego, CA
new information + resources
Why Care About Care? Our Economy Depends on it
Asset Funders Network and Economic Opportunity Funders
The economic state of Black America: What is and what could be
Kinsey Global Institute
The Future of Community College: Key Policy Lessons From the Pandemic
Jobs for the Future
Leveraging Federal Investments to Advance a Shared Vision for the Future of Career Technical Education
Advance CTE
Moving up: Promoting workers’ upward mobility using network analysis
Brookings Institution
OneTen launching platform connecting Black talent with employers
WorkingNation “Work in Progress” Podcast
Welcome to the ‘Take This Job and Shove It’ Economy
New York Times
Ensuring Equitable Access To And Success In Work-Based Learning: A Rhode Island Case
National Governors Association
Why Many Americans Don’t See the Racial Wealth Gap
FiveThirtyEight
announcements
Do you have a new idea for workers? The Workers Lab’s Innovation Fund 2021 application cycle is accepting applications through July 12th. This year, there will be one funding cycle that will award grants of up to $150,000. In addition to receiving funding to give their new idea a chance to succeed, awardees will receive a full year of mentorship, training, and other forms of organizational support.
Learn More
ECMC Foundation is hiring for two positions in their Los Angeles office - Program and Evaluation Associate and Program Officer - Special Opportunities.
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The National Fund for Workforce Solutions is hiring a new Director of Worker Success to lead its Equip Workers for Success Solutions team. The ideal candidate will be passionate about expanding economic opportunities for low-wage workers and job seekers with a particular focus on people of color and women.
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Have information that you'd like us to share with the Workforce Matters network? Please contact us at newsletter@workforce-matters.org.
