Anti-Racist Workforce Development Convening Recap - September 26, 2023
In a society where every individual's potential should shine, the Chicago Jobs Council (CJC) is at the forefront of reimagining the workforce development system. On September 26, 2023, CJC embarked on a journey to share its Anti-Racist Workforce Development System Framework with community and institutional leaders.
After a welcome and introduction by CJC Board Member Manny Rodriguez, anti-racist workforce development consultant Clair Minson (Sandra Grace, LLC) provided an overview of the framework and how it was developed. This was followed by three breakout sessions of small groups with discussions centered around the key components of the framework. Participants discussed what they felt was exciting about the framework, where they already see the work being done in their organizations, and where they might be able to use the framework within their own work.
Clair Minson leading discussion at the Anti-Racist Workforce Development Convening, September 26th, 2023.
The Vision: A Bold Step Towards Equity
The driving force behind this convening was a vision for equitable outcomes in the workforce. CJC envisions a workforce development system where racism has no place, where opportunities are equally accessible, and where every person can flourish professionally and personally.
Purpose and Goals: Uniting Leaders for Change
The event had clear objectives that set the stage for future progress:
Casting a Vision: At this convening, we cast a vision by sharing the framework for an Anti-Racist Workforce Development System that is meant to help workforce system leaders and stakeholders see their role in this transformative work (or in transforming this system).
Sharing the Framework and Guide: The convening aimed to share the expansive Anti-Racist Workforce Development System Framework with key stakeholders in the ecosystem. This framework is a compass for building a fair and just workforce system.
Collaboration and Coordination: It allowed system leaders to come together, collaborate, align their efforts, and amplify their work towards a common goal – dismantling systemic racism to achieve equitable outcomes in the workforce
Partnerships with CJC: System leaders were encouraged to partner with CJC on implementing this visionary framework, forging a new way of working together to achieve lasting change.
A Coalition for Change
A diverse audience of workforce system leaders, including Executive Directors and CEOs, Funders and Grantmakers, Public Leaders, and Non-profit professionals, attended the convening. This inclusive gathering ensured that voices from across various sectors of the workforce system were allowed to share their perspectives and excitement about the framework.
Key Components of the Framework: Building Towards Equity
Vision: Our vision is to create an anti-racist workforce development system and employment equity so everyone can realize their unique pathway out of poverty. The framework comprises several key components:
Anti-Racism Program Design & Client Engagement: Strategies for ensuring that programs are designed to be anti-racist and client engagement is inclusive and equitable.
Service Delivery: A commitment to providing services that bridge the equity gap and offer job seekers expansive and quality job or career options aligned with their goals.
Partnerships: A visionary definition of partnerships emphasizing collaboration, transparency, and alignment in pursuing equity.
Policy Design & Implementation: Crafting policies that are not only equitable but also actively combat systemic racism.
Looking Ahead: Joining the Policy Community of Practice
The convening ended inspiringly, inviting all attendees to participate in the upcoming Policy Community of Practice sessions. These sessions promise to delve deeper into critical topics:
January 24, 2024: Addressing Historical and Intergenerational Disparities for People of Color.
March 20, 2024: Centering Lived Experiences in Equity Policy Development.
May 22, 2024: Promoting Policy Alignment to Combat Systemic Racism.
These sessions are the next steps in the journey toward building an anti-racist workforce development system, and they offer a chance for leaders to work together to make tangible change. Please sign-up if you would like to participate in the Policy Community of Practice.
Thank you to our partners at the Chicago Community Trust for hosting this event.