To Be Equal#25
June 22, 2011
Chenault and Immelt Push Jobs
Marc H. Morial
President and CEO
National Urban League
“Our job is to do everything we can to ensure that businesses can take root and folks can find good jobs and America is leading the global competition that will determine our success in the 21st century.” President Barack Obama
Last week, in Raleigh-Durham, the heart of North Carolina’s Research Triangle Park, President Obama received the first set of job-creating recommendations from his 26- member Jobs and Competitiveness Council headed by GE Chairman and CEO, Jeffrey Immelt and American Express Chairman and CEO, Kenneth Chenault. Other members of the Council include the heads of Boeing, Comcast, Southwest Airlines, and the AFL-CIO. In addition to Chenault, other prominent African American Council members include, Ursula Burns, Chairwoman and CEO of Xerox; Richard Parsons, Chairman of Citigroup; and Roger Ferguson, President and CEO of TIAA-CREF. The President created the Council last February, bringing together the best thinking of large and small business owners and worker-rights advocates in an innovative partnership with government to address the immediate unemployment crisis and improve American competitiveness. We applaud this important collaboration and are encouraged by last week’s progress report.
The urgency of the Jobs Council’s effort was underscored by the release last week of a National Urban League Policy Institute report entitled, “A Long Road Back to Work: The Realities of Unemployment Since the Great Recession.” Our report highlights the disturbing fact that 45.5 percent of unemployed persons have been without jobs for six months or longer, with African Americans and Latinos faring much worse. While African Americans make up 12 percent of the labor force, they comprise 24 percent of the long-term unemployed. Latinos are 15 percent of the labor force and make up 28 percent of the long-term unemployed. Since the likelihood of finding a job decreases the longer one is unemployed, this phenomenon has the potential of creating a permanent class of unemployed citizens.
Clearly, as the National Urban League’s 12-point Jobs Rebuild America plan recommends, we need a dynamic public-private initiative to create jobs and train urban residents for employment in key growth areas, including technology, broadband, manufacturing and clean energy.
In their report to the President and in a Wall Street Journal op-ed, Chenault and Immelt echoed many of our recommendations. They outlined specific steps to spur job growth in high-potential sectors, while also addressing areas of concentrated unemployment.
They call for stronger partnerships with community colleges and others to train workers for the two million open jobs in the U.S. that remain unfilled simply because employers can’t find workers with the advanced manufacturing skills they need.
They recommend cutting red tape so job-creating construction and infrastructure projects can move forward; boosting jobs in travel and tourism; providing more help to small business owners in need of SBA loans; and putting construction workers back to work upgrading the energy efficiency of commercial buildings.
As Chenault and Immelt point out, obviously more must be done. But these initial recommendations will put us on a path to create millions of jobs. The Jobs Council’s report is in stark contrast to those whose only plan is the tried and failed strategy of more tax cuts for the wealthy. The President’s Jobs and Competitiveness Council is off to a good start. We will continue to monitor its progress and keep you posted on its work as we continue to push for targeted jobs policies for America’s Urban Communities where joblessness is unacceptably high.
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Jun 30, 2011
Jun 16, 2011
Sickle Cell is a Disease, Not An Addiction
Are you a young person between the ages of 14-22 who has sickle cell disease or sickle cell trait? Do you want to share your experiences as a sickle cell survivor and improve the relationship between you and physicians when you are seeking treatment?
We want you to participate in our FREE one day Transition of Care...Linked to Life Project retreat on Saturday, June 25th from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 pm. You will learn how to create your own advertisement poster, video documentary and PowerPoint presentation to help raise awareness in our communities about your experience as a sickle cell survivor.
All participants will get to enjoy a FREE fun-filled day at Kings Insland, receive a book bag filled with all sorts of goodies and have the opportunity to present what you created at the retreat to the community.
You don't want to miss this FUN, VERY INTERACTIVE retreat! Continental breakfast, lunch and refreshments will be provided. Space is limited, call the Urban League of Greater Cincinnati today at 513-487-6506 and ask for Pam King.
We want you to participate in our FREE one day Transition of Care...Linked to Life Project retreat on Saturday, June 25th from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 pm. You will learn how to create your own advertisement poster, video documentary and PowerPoint presentation to help raise awareness in our communities about your experience as a sickle cell survivor.
All participants will get to enjoy a FREE fun-filled day at Kings Insland, receive a book bag filled with all sorts of goodies and have the opportunity to present what you created at the retreat to the community.
You don't want to miss this FUN, VERY INTERACTIVE retreat! Continental breakfast, lunch and refreshments will be provided. Space is limited, call the Urban League of Greater Cincinnati today at 513-487-6506 and ask for Pam King.
"Sickle cell is a disease, not an addiction"
Funded by Ohio Commission on Minority Health, the Cincinnati Chapter of the Links, Inc. and sponsored by the Urban League of Greater Cincinnati's Sickle Cell Awareness Group
Senator Eric Kearney to Keynote AABDP Graduation
The Economic Empowerment Center (EEC) of the Urban League of Greater Cincinnati will be graduating its seventh class of the African American Business Development Program (AABDP). Senator Eric Kearney will be the keynote speaker for the event to be held on Thursday, June 16, 2011. EEC is the business development arm of the Urban League of Greater Cincinnati.
Developed in 2008, AABDP was established to assists African American business owners in building sustainable companies that help to create employment opportunities for community residents.
The graduation will be held at the Union Institute and University located at 440 E. McMillan Street, Cincinnati, OH from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. For more information contact Sheila A. Mixon, Ohio Small Business Development Center at the Urban League of Greater Cincinnati, 513-487-1274.
Developed in 2008, AABDP was established to assists African American business owners in building sustainable companies that help to create employment opportunities for community residents.
The graduation will be held at the Union Institute and University located at 440 E. McMillan Street, Cincinnati, OH from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. For more information contact Sheila A. Mixon, Ohio Small Business Development Center at the Urban League of Greater Cincinnati, 513-487-1274.
Apr 25, 2011
2011 Summer Youth Employment
Urban League of Greater Cincinnati and partners Easter Seals WRC, Urban Appalachian Council, Cincinnati State Technical and Community College and the University of Cincinnati-GEARUP were awarded the City of Cincinnati's 2011 Summer Youth Employment Contract. This will provide 370 jobs for low income youth between the ages of 14 and 18 residing in the city of Cincinnati. Youth will be provided age appropriate work experiences for 8 weeks during the summer.
Information regarding the application process will be made available April 28, 2011 at the Mayor's Job Fair. Call the Summer Employment Hotline 513-281-9955 extension 303 for times and locations for application pick up and submission. You may also call Lisa McDonald at 513-487-6528 for assistance.
Employment partners are being recruited at this time.
Donna Jones Baker, President and CEO commented "this is an exciting opportunity for the UL and our partners to continue the work of the STRIVE You Can initiative and commitment to developing data driven programming."
"We are looking forward to a Summer Youth Employment Program that will be a positive experience for both our youth and employment partners." says Dorothy Smoot, Vice President of Youth Services.
Information regarding the application process will be made available April 28, 2011 at the Mayor's Job Fair. Call the Summer Employment Hotline 513-281-9955 extension 303 for times and locations for application pick up and submission. You may also call Lisa McDonald at 513-487-6528 for assistance.
Employment partners are being recruited at this time.
Donna Jones Baker, President and CEO commented "this is an exciting opportunity for the UL and our partners to continue the work of the STRIVE You Can initiative and commitment to developing data driven programming."
"We are looking forward to a Summer Youth Employment Program that will be a positive experience for both our youth and employment partners." says Dorothy Smoot, Vice President of Youth Services.
Apr 21, 2011
McDonald’s Adds 50,000 Jobs
To Be Equal #16
April 20, 2011
Marc H. Morial
President and CEO
National Urban League
“You're only as good as the people you hire.” Ray Kroc, founder of McDonald’s Corporation
In March, the American economy added 216,000 jobs and the unemployment rate fell to 8.8 percent, the lowest in two years. That is the good news. The bad news is that the nation has a mighty long way to go to recoup the 13 million jobs lost during the great recession. The real bad news is that with an unemployment rate of 15.5 percent for African Americans and 11.3 percent for Hispanics, communities of color seem to be fighting a losing battle to keep from being overwhelmed by the jobs crisis.
For more than two years, the National Urban League has led the call for a national response to extremely high unemployment throughout urban America. Our Jobs Rebuild America 12-point plan offers a blueprint for change. It calls for the restoration of the Summer Youth Jobs Program to provide summer jobs for millions of teens. We also propose greater public/ private investments in job training for those most at-risk for joblessness and least equipped to navigate their way back to gainful employment. And while Washington thus far does not appear to be listening, we have sought and found allies elsewhere, including some in corporate America.
For example, we are pleased that this week, McDonald’s Corporation, is launching an unprecedented hiring campaign, aimed at adding 50,000 new crew and management employees to its payrolls. The company plans to add 3-4 new workers to each of its 14,000 U.S. restaurants. In addition to providing a pathway back to the dignity of work, many of these new “Mcjobs” come with training, flexible work schedules, competitive benefits, scholarship opportunities and growth potential. The company points out that more than 75 percent of its restaurant managers and many of its corporate staff and executive leadership, including current company president, Jan Fields, started behind the counter.
McDonald’s projects that the addition of 50,000 new employees will boost the economies of states and local economies, which can likely expect an additional $430 million spent on housing, almost $186 million in taxes, and $180.5 million in grocery purchases.
African American teens, 38.5 percent of whom are currently unemployed, may especially benefit from this hiring blitz. The unemployment rate for Black teens consistently hovers near 40 percent, the highest rate of any group in the country. In addition to putting thousands of Black teens on successful career paths, each year McDonald’s selects one high school student-employee from each state and the District of Columbia for $2,500 scholarships, as well as three national “McScholar” winners who each receive $5,000 scholarships.
The National Urban League will continue to push for federal action in response to the jobs crisis in urban America. In the meantime, we applaud McDonald’s for doing its part with its “National Hiring Day.” More jobs mean a stronger economy and a better future for our children, our neighbors and our nation.
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April 20, 2011
Marc H. Morial
President and CEO
National Urban League
“You're only as good as the people you hire.” Ray Kroc, founder of McDonald’s Corporation
In March, the American economy added 216,000 jobs and the unemployment rate fell to 8.8 percent, the lowest in two years. That is the good news. The bad news is that the nation has a mighty long way to go to recoup the 13 million jobs lost during the great recession. The real bad news is that with an unemployment rate of 15.5 percent for African Americans and 11.3 percent for Hispanics, communities of color seem to be fighting a losing battle to keep from being overwhelmed by the jobs crisis.
For more than two years, the National Urban League has led the call for a national response to extremely high unemployment throughout urban America. Our Jobs Rebuild America 12-point plan offers a blueprint for change. It calls for the restoration of the Summer Youth Jobs Program to provide summer jobs for millions of teens. We also propose greater public/ private investments in job training for those most at-risk for joblessness and least equipped to navigate their way back to gainful employment. And while Washington thus far does not appear to be listening, we have sought and found allies elsewhere, including some in corporate America.
For example, we are pleased that this week, McDonald’s Corporation, is launching an unprecedented hiring campaign, aimed at adding 50,000 new crew and management employees to its payrolls. The company plans to add 3-4 new workers to each of its 14,000 U.S. restaurants. In addition to providing a pathway back to the dignity of work, many of these new “Mcjobs” come with training, flexible work schedules, competitive benefits, scholarship opportunities and growth potential. The company points out that more than 75 percent of its restaurant managers and many of its corporate staff and executive leadership, including current company president, Jan Fields, started behind the counter.
McDonald’s projects that the addition of 50,000 new employees will boost the economies of states and local economies, which can likely expect an additional $430 million spent on housing, almost $186 million in taxes, and $180.5 million in grocery purchases.
African American teens, 38.5 percent of whom are currently unemployed, may especially benefit from this hiring blitz. The unemployment rate for Black teens consistently hovers near 40 percent, the highest rate of any group in the country. In addition to putting thousands of Black teens on successful career paths, each year McDonald’s selects one high school student-employee from each state and the District of Columbia for $2,500 scholarships, as well as three national “McScholar” winners who each receive $5,000 scholarships.
The National Urban League will continue to push for federal action in response to the jobs crisis in urban America. In the meantime, we applaud McDonald’s for doing its part with its “National Hiring Day.” More jobs mean a stronger economy and a better future for our children, our neighbors and our nation.
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