Job Fair connects Black women with opportunities

Across the country, an estimated 318,000 Black women have seen their jobs eliminated in just the past few months.

“Black women have always been the backbone of this country, and now we can’t find work,” said Sheletta Brundidge, media personality and owner of ShelettaMakesMeLaugh.com, a multimedia production and podcasting company.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found that unemployment among Black women jumped from 5.1% in March to 7.5% in August.

Those statistics are reflected in the local job picture. According to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, 9,018 Black women in Minnesota filed for unemployment benefits between the months of February and April.

 “Their positions have been eliminated. I’m talking about degreed, educated, accredited, and experienced black women. We’ve got to be aggressive in finding these women opportunities,”  Brundidge said.

To address the problem, Brundidge will host a Job Fair and Brunch for Black Women on Friday, Oct. 17 from 9 am to noon at The Coliseum, 2708 E Lake St, in Minneapolis. It is free and open to all.

The Job Fair will feature about a dozen employers looking to fill professional positions.

The event includes a raffle in which two women will be picked to have their November mortgage or rent paid by ShelettaMakesMeLaugh.com and Spotlight Staffing LLC.

“We’re making mimosas, making mortgage payments, and making sure these Black women find jobs,” Brundidge said.

Terace Johnson, CEO of Spotlight Staffing LLC, plans to look for talent at the Job Fair. Her company specializes in direct hire recruitment for multiple industries, including healthcare, finance, accounting, skilled labor, manufacturing, and schools.

“I am a career-driven young black woman, and this is something that is truly important,” Johnson said. “We need to uplift our community right now.”

Job Fair attendees will enjoy the benefits of making connections and possibly finding a job, but hiring managers planning to attend are looking to fill their own needs.

“We have to reflect who we serve in healthcare,” said Jim Platten, workforce job navigator for M Health Fairview. “The more diverse we are, the better we are because patients have a better experience and more trust.”

Brundige expects that the Job Fair will offer attendees the crucial opportunity to personally connect with potential employers; they can also access help building their resumes and job seeking skills.

“Some of these women have been on the job for more than 30 years. They don’t have LinkedIn profiles,” Brundidge added. “This will be a win-win for everyone. When Black women do well, this country does well.”

Learn more about the Job Fair and Brunch for Black Women on Friday, Oct. 17, click on this link.