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Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) today hosted a Black Economic Empowerment Roundtable with Michigan Works! Southeast and community leaders in workforce training and economic development.
 
“From assisting job seekers and employers across the state and strengthening our workforce every single day, Michigan Works is changing lives. Michigan has one of the strongest workforce development systems in the nation and that is because of the work of dedicated community leaders like the ones with us today,” Dingell said. “As we’re seeing increased public and private investment in Southeast Michigan, we need to make sure those jobs and opportunities are going to our local residents, and we need to make sure our residents are prepared and ready for jobs in sectors including clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and health care, to name a few. Especially as unemployment, underemployment, and income inequality disproportionately impact Black residents in our county and state, it’s important we focus our efforts on closing that gap.”
 
“Michigan Works! Southeast is dedicated to ensuring economic prosperity within our communities. That means we need to be connected to those delivering services that help drive our customers and community members towards their goals, by way of direct and wrap around services,” said Shamar Herron, Executive Director of Michigan Works! Southeast. “Having Congresswoman Dingell come in and speak with both those who receive and deliver vital services allows for her to advocate with a comprehensive understanding of need.  We are thankful for the participation of our community in this discussion and for the Congresswoman always being willing to listen.”
 
The roundtable participants included MichiganWorks! Southeast Executive Director Shamar Herron, MichiganWorks! Southeast Case Manager LaChelle Barton, Washtenaw Community College Interim Vice President of Instruction and Chief of Workforce & Community Development Office Brandon Tucker, Washtenaw Community College Director of College and Career Readiness Cheryl Harvey, Brandhrt Evolution Owner and Chair of Association of Businesses of Color Ylondia Portis, Washtenaw County Office of Community & Economic Development Economic Opportunity Manager Cheranissa Williams, We The People Opportunity Farm Founder Melvin Parson, and A Brighter Way Executive Director Adam Grant.
 
A 2020 study by Michigan State University found that Black men in Michigan earned about 20 percent less in recent years than 40 years ago when adjusted for inflation. The same study found that Black women used to earn 15 percent more than white counterparts in Michigan; now they earn 15 percent less.
 
View photos from the roundtable here.