If you’re Black and live in one of these cities there’s a good chance you’re poor. It’s likely from a number of factors including systemic racism and multi-generational poverty. Some might say move. That’s easy to say, but hard to do if you can’t afford it. However, there is hope. Below each city is a list of FREE employment opportunities and job training programs. If you live in these cities and are having a tough time or you simply want to change your life please take advantage of them.
Call me a rah, rah kind of girl, but I believe once we access these opportunities, we can thrive. So help me help someone else today. Please share this post with your networks, friends, family or just someone who needs a chance. Let them know it doesn’t matter where you start. What matters is where you’re going. It’s really up to you.
Remember the only limit you have is the one you have placed on yourself. Think and be limitless.
Thank you,
BBG
10. Phoenix, Arizona
Total African American population: 102,038
African Americans in poverty: 30.1%
Median household income for African Americans: $35,287
With over 9.5% of African Americans unemployed, more than 30% of African Americans in Phoenix live in poverty.
Job Training Programs:
- Maricopa Skills Center: http://www.maricopaskillcenter.com/programs
- Arizona Commerce Authority: http://www.azcommerce.com/incentives/job-training
- WEDCO Employment Training Center: http://wedco.net/old_site/
9. Fort Worth, Texas
Total African American population: 162,304
African Americans in poverty: 31.2%
Median household income for African Americans: $33,065
With only 6.4% of African Americans unemployed, more than one out of three African Americans in Fort Worth live in poverty.
Job Training Programs:
- Texas Workforce Commission Career Schools & Colleges for Students: http://www.twc.state.tx.us/jobseekers/career-schools-colleges-students
- Texas Workforce Commission Job Search: http://www.twc.state.tx.us/jobseekers/job-search
- Texas Career Center: https://www.txcareercenter.com/
- Tarrant County Workforce Solutions: http://workforcesolutions.net/
- Community Learning Center: http://www.clcinc.org/
8. Nashville, Tennessee
Total African American population: 180,752
African Americans in poverty: 31.3%
Median household income for African Americans: $31,710
More than 31% of Nashville’s African American population lives in poverty while 8.5% of Nashville’s Black population is unemployed.
Job Training Programs:
- Tennessee Reconnect (Free Technical Training): http://www.tnreconnect.gov/paying.shtml
- United Way of Tennessee Employment Resources: http://www.uwtn.org/Income/FindingEmployment.aspx
- Job Training: http://www.careeronestop.org/FindTraining/find-training.aspx
7. Columbus, Ohio
Total African American population: 231,302
African Americans in poverty: 31.4%
Median household income for African Americans: $31,813
Columbus also ranked 6th on our list with more than 31% of African Americans living in poverty while 8.1% of its Black population remains unemployed.
Job Training Programs:
- Franklin County Job Training Programs: https://www.franklincountyohio.gov/reentry/get-help/i-need-a-job.cfm
- Ohio Higher Ed Workforce Training & Adult Education: https://www.ohiohighered.org/workforce
- State of Ohio registered apprenticeships: http://omj.ohio.gov/Program/index.stm
- Columbus Community College Fast Path Job Training Program: http://www.cscc.edu/community/fastpath/
6. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Total African American population: 660,704
African Americans in poverty: 31.4%
Median household income for African Americans: $30,236
Philadelphia ranks 6th on this list with more than 31% of African Americans living in poverty.
Job Training Programs:
- Shared Prosperity Philadelphia: http://sharedprosperityphila.org/education-and-job-training/
- The Urban League of Philadelphia: http://www.urbanleaguephila.org/what-we-do/career-services/job-search-training/
- Pennsylvania Career Link: http://www.philaworks.org/career-link/home
5. Dallas, Texas
Total African American population: 310,838
African Americans in poverty: 32.4%
Median household income for African Americans: $28,362
Everything is big in Dallas, TX except for African American’s wallets. More than 32% of African Americans in Dallas live in poverty. The unemployment rate is 7.5%. How can we change that?
Job Training Programs:
- Texas Workforce Commission Training and Education: http://www.twc.state.tx.us/jobseekers/training-education
- Texas Workforce Commission Job Search: http://www.twc.state.tx.us/jobseekers/job-search
- Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas Events: http://www.wfsdallas.com/events
4. Chicago, Illinois
Total African American population: 852,756
African Americans in poverty: 33.6%
Median household income for African Americans: $28,977
The Windy City is a tough city for African Americans with more than 33% living in poverty.
Job Training Programs:
- Chicago Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) Job Training Programs: http://www.cityofchicago.org/content/dam/city/depts/fss/supp_info/WorkforceDevelopment/2015DFSSworkforceagencylist090315.pdf
- Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership: http://workforceboard.org/
- Illinois Department of Employment Security: https://www2.illinoisworknet.com/Jobs/Pages/ILJobLink.aspx
3. Memphis, Tennessee
Total African American population: 420,976
African Americans in poverty: 35.2%
Median household income for African Americans: $27,653
More than 35% of African Americans in Memphis live in poverty. Even worse, 53% of Black children in Memphis under 18 years old live in poverty.
Job Training Programs:
- Memphis Bioworks Job Training Programs: http://www.memphisbioworks.org/workforce-development/
- Free community college for qualifying students: http://tennesseepromise.gov/students.shtml
- Industrial Readiness Training: http://www.workforceinvestmentnetwork.com/industrial-readiness-training
- Job Training: http://www.careeronestop.org/FindTraining/find-training.aspx
2. Detroit, Michigan
Total African American population: 539,810
African Americans in poverty: 39.1%
Median household income for African Americans: $24,743
In a close second is Detroit, Michigan with 39.1% of African Americans living in poverty. More than 12% of African Americans in Detroit are unemployed.
Job Training Programs:
- Greening of Detroithttp://www.greeningofdetroit.com/
- Detroit Green works: http://www.dgws.org/
- Pure Michigan Talent Collect: http://www.mitalent.org/skill-development/
- Job Training: http://www.careeronestop.org/FindTraining/find-training.aspx
1. Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Total African American population: 233,522
African Americans in poverty: 39.9%
Median household income for African Americans: $24,967
Named one of the worst cities in America for African Americans, Milwaukee is number one on this list. More than 39% of African Americans in this city live below the poverty line and 11% of African Americans in Milwaukee are unemployed. Black American children are suspended in Milwaukee at higher rates than any other city in the United States.
Job Training Programs:
- State of Wisconsin Apprenticeship Programs: http://dwd.wisconsin.gov/apprenticeship/individuals.htm
- Milwaukee Area Technical College offers free college for qualifying high school students http://www.matc.edu/promise/
- Job Center of Wisconsin: http://wisconsinjobcenter.org/
Source: U.S. Census 2014 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates table S0201: Selected Population Profile in The United States
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